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 readers, and welcome to another of our interviews with authors who’ve received an MCA award! Today we have with us author Viviana Falleti, who takes young readers to St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum—where cats are recruited to help protect the art from rodents. The Cats’ Museum is a delightful blend of adventure and mystery and is illustrated by an internationally acclaimed artist.

MCA: Viviana, please tell us about yourself.

I am a woman of faith. I enjoy creating children’s stories that are wholesome, whimsical, and entertaining. As a lover of all things cats, their zany and mischievous personalities amuse and intrigue me, and so I often feature them in my stories. I have started my own publishing company—Little Feather Press—because I want to produce only the highest quality books, exquisitely illustrated. The talented world-famous artists I employ bring the books to life even more. In my childhood in Germany, I would never tire of listening to storybooks that my mother lovingly read to me. I draw inspiration from those memories.

MCA: What was your path to becoming a writer like?

Two years ago, at my best friend’s insistence, I watched the movie Miss Potter, the life of Beatrix Potter—the author of the famous Peter Rabbit book. This movie rekindled an interest in me to write children’s books. I had taken a writing class for children’s literature years before, but then never did anything with it.

MCA: Luckily for readers, your interest was rekindled! What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

I hope that the reader will be enriched by the beauty and insightful wonder of the story, with its detailed and magnificent illustrations added on.

MCA: What do you find most rewarding about the writing process?

The writing process is a delight; the marketing I find a bit (ok, a lot) more tedious !!!

MCA: In what ways does your book promote family-friendly values?

All my books are wholesome and entertaining; as a matter of fact, they are written for the parents who are “hungry for wholesome” and who want to protect the innocence and dignity of childhood.

MCA: What kind of responses has the book garnered?

Publishers Weekly Booklife Review: “Ingenious picture book imagines the secret adventures of Russia’s Hermitage cats.”

Kirkus Review: “An eventful and well-illustrated historical fantasy for young readers.”

MCA: Do you have any advice for new authors?

Keep to your moral convictions and then enjoy the writing experience. Find someone who can support you and advise you.

MCA: What about anything new in the pipeline — future books you have in the works?

Coming out in November is The Happiest Christmas Tree Ever—a delightful story about a tree on a mountain that wishes to become a Christmas tree. When his wish comes true, he is placed in a Catholic Church, where he experiences amazing things. The story explains Advent, Saint Nicholas Day, the origins of the Nativity Creche and the Christmas Tree, traditional Christmas customs, and so much more. The Happiest Christmas Tree Ever, with its elegant and captivating illustrations, is sure to delight children and awaken a childlike spirit of wonder in all.

MCA: Well, we certainly wish you well in continued endeavors, Viviana. We’re so glad you were able to speak with us!

You can learn more about Viviana Falleti and her award-winning book, “The Cats’ Museum,” by visiting her MCA Shop page.