Little Louise Visits Dauphin Island Finds a Home at The Sand Box

The Sand Box is one of those classic Dauphin Island stops, the kind of place you do not just shop in but experience. Doors open to the scent of salt and sunshine, floors dusted with footprints from the beach, and shelves filled with treasures that feel like summer held in your hand. Tourists and locals wander in with sandy shoes, laughing from their day by the waves, and leave carrying souvenirs that hold memories like tiny glass bottles. Each one is a reminder of ocean breeze, gentle tides, and the easy rhythm of island life.

Inside are seashells that whisper Gulf stories, coastal décor to bring the beach home, and gifts chosen with salt softened smiles. Handcrafted pieces, sun washed shirts, sea themed trinkets, everything feels touched by Dauphin Island itself.

And now, on the shelves at 1602 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, rests Little Louise visits Dauphin Island. A bright eyed storybook nestled among seashell ornaments and beach glass gifts, waiting to be opened and loved. Maybe by a curious child, maybe by a parent wanting to take home more than a shell, wanting to take home a feeling. Little Louise is there like a new friend among familiar island treasures, ready to travel into new hearts and new homes, sharing the magic of Dauphin Island one story at a time.

My Favorite Coloring Tools

I’m often asked what I recommend for coloring in Just Mousey books and the answer is simple:

• Crayola crayons for their smooth color and classic charm

• Crayola colored pencils for adding soft shading and detail

• Crayola fine tip markers for those crisp, clean lines that make designs pop

These tools bring out the best in every Just Mousey page, helping colors stay bright and lines stay neat.

So grab your favorite coloring supplies, get comfy, and let your imagination take over. Whether you’re coloring one page or a whole book, I hope you feel the same calm and happiness that inspired me to create Just Mousey.

Happy coloring!

The Heart Behind My Coloring Books

Some of my favorite memories are the afternoons I’ve spent coloring with my granddaughter. She has a big tote full of Crayola crayons in every shade you can imagine and we’ve spent countless hours side by side, coloring and chatting. There’s nothing better than the smell of crayons and the sound of laughter filling the room.

We spread everything out across my bed, pick our favorite pages, and let our imaginations run wild. It was never about staying in the lines, it was about being together, creating something beautiful, and making memories one crayon stroke at a time.

Those special moments inspired me to design my own coloring books. Each page features simple, bold designs that are easy for little hands (and even older ones!) to enjoy. They’re perfect for displaying proudly on the fridge, a daily reminder of creativity, love, and time well spent together.

Whether it’s a grandparent and grandchild spending a cozy afternoon together, a mom-to-be relaxing while she colors, or a child proudly showing off their masterpiece, these books are made to bring smiles and spark imagination.

Creating them has been a true labor of love, a celebration of family, creativity, and the simple magic of crayons and togetherness

“Little Layla” A Story Inspired by Love

“Little Layla” A Story Inspired by Love and Grace on Ice

Every story has a spark, a little moment or person that lights up your imagination and fills your heart with inspiration. For me, Little Layla the Figure Skater began with a simple, heartfelt conversation with my sweet Aunt Jess. She was telling me about her great-grandchild, Layla, a bright, spirited little girl with an undeniable love for ice skating.

As Aunt Jess spoke about her “little Layla,” I could hear the pride and joy in her voice. She described how Layla’s eyes lit up every time she stepped onto the ice, twirling and gliding with pure happiness. That image stayed with me, the sparkle of the ice, the movement, the innocence, and the determination of a young girl chasing her passion.

That’s when the story started to take shape in my mind. I imagined a little girl who dreams of skating under twinkling lights, who falls but always gets back up, and who learns that true beauty in skating and in life, comes from believing in yourself.

Writing Little Layla the Figure Skater became my way of celebrating not only Layla’s love for the ice but also the special bond between generations — the way stories and pride flow from a great-grandmother’s heart to a writer’s pen.

This book is a gentle reminder to young readers (and maybe even grown-ups) that dreams take courage, practice, and heart. Whether your “ice rink” is a frozen pond, a stage, or simply something you love to do, Layla’s story shows that when you believe in yourself, you can shine bright no matter how many times you fall.

Thank you, Aunt Jess, for sharing your Little Layla with me and with the world.

What inspired “Little Louise”

Sometimes the most unexpected moments lead to the most meaningful stories. For me, that moment began when my dear friend Nikki introduced me to a beautiful little place called Dauphin Island.

It was during the COVID pandemic, a time when the world felt quiet and uncertain. Nikki invited me to get away for a few days and experience the peace of this hidden gem on the Alabama coast. I’ll never forget that first visit, the gentle sound of the waves, the soft white sand, and the way the sunsets painted the sky with color and calm.

A few years later, I decided to share that special place with my granddaughter. We spent Christmas vacation on Dauphin Island, exploring the beaches, collecting seashells, and watching dolphins glide through the water.

It was during that trip that the idea for my very first children’s book, Little Louise Visits Dauphin Island, was born. The story follows a curious little girl discovering the beauty of the beach, the wonders of the sea, and the joy of adventure, all inspired by our time there.

That visit reminded me how important it is to pause, breathe, and find joy even in uncertain times. It also reminded me how children can see beauty in everything around them.

So, thank you to Nikki for introducing me to Dauphin Island, and to my granddaughter, whose laughter and imagination helped turn that trip into a story that now lives in the pages of Little Louise visits Dauphin Island.

Why I Wrote Pennie the Mini Weenie

I’ve always been a dog lover. Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, each one leaving their pawprints on my heart in a special way. When I decided to write Pennie the Mini Weenie Plays at the Park, it wasn’t just about creating a fun children’s story, it was about celebrating the dogs that have shaped my life and my family’s story.

Many of the dogs in the book are inspired by real ones I’ve known and loved. Dexter is my husband’s dog, loyal, goofy, and full of personality. Diego, my longtime companion, has been with me through so many chapters of life. He helped raise my kids and has always been by my side through it all. Now, in his senior years, he’s facing challenges, he’s deaf, blind, and lives with CCD (canine cognitive dysfunction). But even with all that, his love and spirit remain as strong as ever.

This past year, I adopted Penelope or Penny, as we lovingly call her. She’s a bright, playful little soul who brought new joy into our home. They say you can have a “soul dog,” a dog that just understands you in a way no one else can. For me, Diego and Penny are exactly that, my soul dogs.

Writing Pennie the Mini Weenie was my way of honoring them, capturing their personalities and the unconditional love dogs give so freely. It’s also my way of sharing that joy with children, teaching them about friendship, kindness, and the special bond we share with our pets.

Every wag, bark, and tail chase in the story has a piece of real life behind it. I hope when readers open the book, they not only see a fun adventure but also feel the warmth, love, and lessons that dogs bring into our lives every day.

Sharing Joy Through Free Art of Dauphin Island

Just Mousey loves finding ways to share creativity and joy with children. One of my favorite ways to do this is through Free Art of Dauphin Island, a special location on the island featuring a large red mailbox filled with art and gifts for the children of Dauphin Island and its visitors.

Recently, I donated copies of the Halloween with Mousey Coloring Book and have donated other coloring books to this magical mailbox. My granddaughter loved discovering this special little treasure on the island, picking out unique items, and seeing the mailbox filled with surprises. You never know what you will find there, books, rubber duckies, grapefruit, stickers, watercolors, and even paintings created by an artist who contributes to the mailbox.

I believe in sharing books and art wherever we can, helping children and families create moments of discovery, learning, and fun.

If you are ever on the island, please make sure to seek it out, you never know what magical treasures you might find!

Free Art of Dauphin Island Facebook Page