Global Mom’s Choice Awards® honored Reynolds Lake Oconee resident Andrea Cassell with two Gold Awards for “Kibby, The Space Dog?” and “Kibby Gets a Little Sister,” judging each of  them the best in family-friendly media and products.

Cassell’s books are inspired by the real life experiences of Kibby, her miniature labradoodle. A former special education teacher, Cassell calls them “children’s life lessons as seen through a dog’s eyes.”  The books help children learn about life and its adventures through Kibby with gentle humor and sensitivity and are primarily for ages four through eight.

A third book in the series, “Kibby and Olive Move to Georgia,”will be released in April 2020 and is based on Kibby and his little sister’s experience of moving from Kansas to Georgia. It is written to help children adjust to moving, whether across town or across the country.

Additional information can be found at http://www.andreacassell.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/kibbyscorner.  Books and plush versions of Kibby and Olive can be purchased there and locally at 44 Market Place, 103 Harmony Crossing, Eatonton, 44marketplace@gmail.com, 706-714-4495; and at Greensboro Antique Mall, 101 South Main St., Greensboro, www.greensboroantiquemall.com, 706-453-9100.

Cassell (pronounced “castle”) was born and raised in Miami, Fla. She is a former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader and a Mrs. Kansas, 1986. She taught special education for more than 30 years and is passionate about special needs children. 

 Cassell’s first book was “Nahima’s Hands: Unique Mediterranean Cuisine Cookbook,” a compilation of recipes from her grandmother, as well as original recipes from Andrea, who is an accomplished cook. She taught culinary classes for several years in Wichita, Kan. where she also had her own weekly, state-wide TV segment on ABC, covering everything from cooking to health to beauty. She is also a professional vocalist who has done TV commercials, radio voice overs and jingles. Not surprisingly, Cassell is a fervent believer in staying busy.