This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amy Flanagan. All opinions are my own.

~Amy Flanagan, author of Mrs. R Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
Written by Amy Flanagan
Illustrated by Jon Davis
Ages 5+ | 90 Pages

Publisher: Whitefox
ISBN-13: 9781915036094
About the Book: Mrs. R Snugglesworth is 70 pounds of low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS. She is the Best at Finding Slightly-Used Sandwiches and the Best at Loving Ham—and now she’s looking for her next big challenge. To her surprise, she finds it at the local Bark Park, when she discovers a passion for the law. Dog law, that is.
In two wags of a tail, she enrolls at Wagsworth Legal Academy, eager to become a lawyer. Turns out, it’s not that easy learning to be the Best at Law School. But when Mrs. R. learns that her friend Pitter-Patter needs help, she can’t wait to take on her first case. Only one small issue: she hasn’t quite finished her law degree. Some dogs might consider this a problem, but not Mrs. R! After all, Pitter-Patter needs a lawyer, and she is ALMOST a lawyer. Which everyone knows is practically as good as being a lawyer, right?
She’ll just juggle her law classes, naps, walks, power naps, chasing tennis balls, snacks, naps, and work on Pitter-Patter’s case at the same time! What could possibly go wrong?

I'm excited to share my interview with Amy Flanagan. She is an Instructional Designer and children’s author living with her family in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. She began writing Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law in early 2021 to stay busy during the long pandemic winter. She wanted to create something that would make kids (and adults) laugh out loud. She is already working on the second book in the “Mrs. R.” series. Like you, she wonders what the ‘R’ stands for.
Visit her online at https://www.mrsrsnugglesworth.com/.

Where did you get the inspiration for the character Mrs. R. Snugglesworth?
You will not be surprised to learn that we have a female, yellow English lab. She is delightfully stocky and we have entertained ourselves through the years imagining what she is thinking. Despite her size, she considers herself a lap dog. One morning several years ago, she was snugglier than usual, and my husband remarked “Aren’t you a Mrs. Snugglesworth this morning?” This struck me as funny, and I made a point to share it with our kids so we could add it to the long list of nicknames we had for the dog. (Sweet Pea, Baked Potato. . . etc). When I shared the new nickname with my daughter, who was 8 or 9, she informed me that the dog’s name was actually “Mrs. R. Snugglesworth” and she was also my daughter’s new attorney. (Previously, her fish had been her attorney). 
Meanwhile, I had been toying with the idea of writing a book for years. I had a few false starts on books for adults before I realized that I was probably better suited to writing something for kids.  I had the perfect idea right in front of me. . .and that was that!

What was your writing process like for Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law?
In my day job, I’m an Instructional Designer for mainframe software products. Prior to that, I was a technical writer in the same space — so I knew how to write. But I certainly didn’t know how to write a children’s book. I started with an online class via one of our local community colleges. While the class was ongoing, I began writing the book — typically between 30-90 minutes most evenings. After about four months, I felt what I had was solid enough to share — I recruited friends and family to review the story. I also had a friend of a friend who had been a children’s book editor at one of the big publishing houses before becoming an agent, and she
generously provided feedback too. After collecting all of the feedback, I effectively rewrote the entire book. I used the same methodology — working on it for an hour or so in the evenings. Not surprisingly, 4 months later I had a much stronger story. I originally planned to pursue a traditional publisher, but after doing my research, determined that hybrid publishing was the best route for me. I ultimately decided on Whitefox Publishing in the UK, who connected me with all the other players in the process — structural editing, copy editing, cover design, illustration, proofreading, etc. (All of which I continued doing, an hour at a time, evening after evening.) :)

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
It’s an opportunity to be silly, and carefree, even for just a little while. I wanted to provide that experience for young readers too. That said, it was also very important for me to write something that would be entertaining for adults too. Some of the books my kids loved as children. . .were very tough on mom and dad.:)

What are you working on now?
I’ve outlined the second “Mrs. R” book and have plot lines for others in the works. I wrote the story so it could become a series, if there’s enough audience interest. 

What is your favorite book?
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr.  Sometimes though, I just need a light read —then I turn to an Agatha Raisin.

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law, and a $50 gift card to bookshop.org*.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:
An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
A $50 Bookshop.org or typebooks.ca gift card*

Four (4) winners receive:
An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
​

Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. ​

This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press. All opinions are my own. 

~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books

The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey
Written by Pat Black-Gould
Illustrated by Katya Royz
Ages 8+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press 
ISBN-13: 9781955119207
Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary?

In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.
The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.

Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.

Themes: Holocaust, religious freedom, empathy, compassion, bravery

I'm always looking for wonderful children's books that can help parents talk to their children about difficult subjects, and The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey is one! This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young Jewish girl. At her mother's urging, she removes her Star of David necklace and replaces it with a rosary of crystal beads. She moves into a Catholic school in order to survive the Holocaust. Written from the girl's point of view, this book is a must read for people of all ages. From Mama who sacrifices herself so her daughter may live, to Sister Teresa who shows religious tolerance and love to the scared Lalka, the characters in this picture book are examples of compassion and empathy. 

Following the reading of this book, use the included question/ study guides to start a meaningful and important conversation with your children about the Holocaust and how this horrible event in history in important to discuss today. 

Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey!
Four (4) winners receive:
A signed copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey
Giveaway ends August 11, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT

Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. ​

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Practice Readers Books. All opinions are my own.

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Letter Sounds Abound, the companion practice book Alphabet Print and Colour, a beginner’s notebook, and a set of alphabet letter magnets!
The giveaway ends July 22, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
The giveaway is only open to legal residents of Canada and the United States and is void where prohibited by law.
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- An autographed copy of Letter Sounds Abound
- A copy of Alphabet Print and Colour
- A beginner's notebook
-A set of magnetic alphabet letters
Two (2) winners receive:
- An autographed copy of Letter Sounds Abound

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Alicia Mofford. All opinions are my own.

Enter for the chance to win a tote, a book bag, a book-marker, and a signed hardcover copy of The Sun Plays with the Moon. The bags are handmade in the USA. This giveaway ends July 20, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- A tote (Handmade in USA)
- A book bag (Handmade in USA)
- A book-marker
-A signed hardcover copy of The Sun Plays with the Moon
Four (4) winners receive:
- A signed hardcover copy of The Sun Plays with the Moon

I was never a Girl Scout, but I do believe is always being prepared!​ These summer favorites allow my family to have a fun and safe summer!

This post is not sponsored. These are just things I use and love.

Sunday Afternoons Hat- My children and I love these hats. They offer excellent sun protection and wash wonderfully. They are adjustable so your kids can wear them for several years.

Pop Up Beach Tent- This tent is lightweight and easy to set up.  It provides enough shade for me and the kids on a quick trip to the beach.

See Kai Run JettyIII Sandals- I love these kids' sandals because they have a thick sole and are waterproof. They are perfect for running through sprinklers or playing on the hot concrete at a splash pad.

Sunscreen and Foundation Brush- I prefer a mineral sunscreen but they can be hard to apply. This Badger sunscreen comes in a tin, and I apply it with a cheap foundation brush.  This application method is mess-free, blends in well, and the kids don't mind it at all.

Suds2Go Cap- This little cap screws onto a bottle of water and turns it into a hand washing station. I keep this in my car and use it for washing hands before picnics.

Car Organizer- I keep this on the passenger seat of my car and it houses all the supplies I could need. I have anything we may need while we are away from home, but I don't have to carry it with me all day.

This post contains affiliate links. This which means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. 

​Forget the grocery hauls, here is the haul I love the most. Check out what we checked out from the library!