When best-selling author Mo Gawdat and long-time publisher Shelley Lewis first crossed paths, it was through a shared mission: to help people find happiness by looking inward.
Gawdat had already touched millions of adults with Solve for Happy, his thoughtful exploration of joy, resilience, and reframing life’s challenges. Lewis, with her deep experience in children’s publishing, had been on her own journey of creating books that inspire young readers to grow with wisdom and heart.
It didn’t take long for them to realize their visions aligned perfectly. What if the principles that helped adults live with more clarity could be offered to children—early enough to shape their inner world for a lifetime?
The Birth of Me & Mo
That shared vision grew into Me & Mo, a collection of children’s books co-authored by Lewis and Gawdat. The bundle includes five stories—Dino, Jasmine, Raghu, Pierre, and Karma—each designed to help children connect more deeply to their own feelings and discover positive ways to navigate life.
These books don’t try to teach by preaching. They’re more like stories that sit alongside a child, encouraging them to notice their feelings, be kind, and see small upsets in a new light.
Shelley Lewis and Mo Gawdat both believe that, with technology and AI reshaping so much of the world, children need inner skills just as much as outer ones. That’s where Me & Mo comes in. It’s about giving young readers a chance to slow down, think about what they’re feeling, and find a happier way forward — lessons simple enough for today, but strong enough to stay with them as they grow.
Why It Matters
Research shows that mindset plays a huge role in long-term happiness. By starting early, we can help children build inner resilience before life’s challenges pile up. Lewis and Gawdat see these stories as more than just books—they’re invitations. Invitations for children to slow down, listen to themselves, and find strength in compassion.
For parents, teachers, and caregivers, Me & Mo is a resource to spark conversations that matter. Instead of telling children what to think, the stories open space for them to explore who they are.
About Shelley Lewis
Shelley Lewis has worn many hats in her twenty-year career: author, publisher, and editor-in-chief. Her projects often carry a humanitarian spirit, aiming to nourish young hearts and minds through storytelling. She has been interviewed by Al Jazeera, BBC News, and The Huffington Post for her book work, and is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Journalism.
Through her boutique publishing house, Chocolate Sauce, Lewis focuses on creating children’s books that bring spirituality and wisdom to life in ways that feel playful and accessible.
A Shared Mission
The collaboration between Shelley Lewis and Mo Gawdat grew out of a simple truth: happiness isn’t something to chase down, it’s something we learn to grow. What started as a conversation between Shelley Lewis and Mo Gawdat has now grown into Me & Mo—a bundle of children’s books built around simple, everyday lessons.
Rather than trying to hand children all the answers, the stories give them room to notice what they feel and figure out how to respond with kindness. What would kindness look like here? How can I handle things when they don’t go my way? Through this type of gentle exploration, Lewis and Gawdat give young readers a foundation to build resilience and joy, one step at a time.
Adults who read the Me & Mo stories with children often find that the pages open up conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. A scene about frustration might turn into a talk about a rough day at school; a moment of kindness on the page might invite a child to share something of their own.
Children, on the other hand, absorb the stories in smaller, quieter ways. A simple reminder to pause before snapping back, or to notice how they’re feeling, can stick with them long after the book is closed. Over time, those small moments begin to shape how they understand themselves and the people around them.
To conclude, Me & Mo isn’t just a collection of books—it’s a chance for families to pause, sit together, and open up conversations that might otherwise slip by.