Mom’s Choice Awards is excited to announce another post in our interview series where we chat with the inventors, designers, publishers, and others behind some of our favorite family-friendly products.

Hello, Mom’s Choice Awards readers! Welcome to another interview in our series honoring individuals who create imaginative products for children and innovative solutions for families. For this interview, we were able to speak with Mom’s Choice Award-winning author Laura Lepeska, who’s also an illustrator and a self-publisher. Laura, who recently won an award for her first novel, goes by the pen name of Linda Beck. As she talks about Good Boy Lukey & the Dream Crumbs, we’ll hear about Lukey, a special puppy with very special powers—who safeguards the dreams of children everywhere by defending them against nightmares.

MCA: Laura, we’re so glad to be able to talk with you today. To start off the interview, why not tell us something about yourself.

I live in Connecticut with my husband. I have two grown children, as well as my grand pup Lukey, and grand kitties Henry and Oliver. I’m currently a Director in Human Resources (Benefits) at a local university, where I’ve worked for the last 14 years. I have degrees in accounting, culinary arts, and business administration, so I’ve had somewhat of a diverse professional background. I love to travel, and have a special fondness for beach destinations. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.

MCA: Could you tell us what your path to becoming a writer was like?

My daughter’s Great Pyrenees pup Lukey (my grand pup) was my inspiration for writing Good Boy Lukey & the Dream Crumbs. I honestly never thought about writing a children’s book before the following incident. One morning, as I was cleaning the “sleepies” from Lukey’s eyes, I referred to them as “eye boogies.” My son, who was there, immediately said, “Mom, those aren’t eye boogies, those are dream crumbs.” I kept repeating Good Boy Lukey & the Dream Crumbs and we joked that it would make a great title for a children’s book. From there, I starting researching how to go about making that happen—and here we are.

MCA: What do you hope preschoolers will take away from Good Boy Lukey?

Not only was Good Boy Lukey written for dog lovers (especially those who have Great Pyrenees), but for children who may have trouble falling asleep or who may need a little protection. Children can awaken and actually see the “dream crumbs” (kind of like Santa’s disappearing cookies on Christmas morning.) This can hopefully give them the confidence to go to sleep again that night, knowing Good Boy Lukey is there “magically” protecting them.

MCA: That’s such a lovely, comforting thought—and the perfect book for bedtime, offering a sense of security for children as they fall asleep. What did you find most challenging about the writing process?

Since this was my first (and so far only) book I’ve ever written, the entire process was quite challenging and took about a year to complete and finally self-publish. Since I have a full-time job, I took some time each weekend to work on the book, the illustrations, and the self-publishing process. I also copyrighted the book for good measure.

MCA: How would you say your book contributes to promoting family-friendly values or enhancing the lives of your readers?

My book, Good Boy Lukey & the Dream Crumbs, is crafted to instill family-friendly values and create a nurturing environment for children. Through the heartwarming tale of Lukey, the story emphasizes themes of love, loyalty, and the importance of feeling safe and secure. By showcasing Lukey’s dedication to ensuring every child’s sleep is filled with comfort and happiness, the book encourages a sense of protection and care, mirroring the values families strive to cultivate. It promotes the idea that bedtime can be a special, cherished time filled with positivity and imagination.

Moreover, the book fosters a connection between children and their guardians, making bedtime a moment of bonding and storytelling. It enhances the lives of readers by providing them with a comforting, enchanting narrative that reassures and delights young minds.

MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback from readers that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?

I absolutely love reading some of the positive reviews—one in particular from a reader with three Great Pyrenees. She said, “This book perfectly captures the personality and sweetness of the breed. Protecting their loved ones is their thing!” Great Pyrenees were bred to be guard dogs and their instinct is to be kind and patient with all vulnerable animals, so being protective truly is their thing. Since children are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, who better to watch over and protect them than Good Boy Lukey—ultimate guardian of the night.

MCA: As a first-time author, Laura, what advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

Just do it. Don’t be afraid of the process. While it may be daunting, there is so much information out there to help guide you along the way.

MCA: Laura, it’s been such a pleasure to talk with you. I hope you’ll consider continuing to write for children, whether it’s a follow-up tale to Good Boy Lukey or something completely new. I’d like to wish you the very best!

You can learn more about Laura Lepeska and her award-winning book, Good Boy Lukey & the Dream Crumbs, by visiting her MCA Shop page.