It’s a story about courage, kindness, and the small brave steps that turn into big adventures.
Tanya Renfer – 3 November 2026
The Back Flap
1: Leo Lion Paws: Leo’s Cozy Kingdom (From Under the Couch to the Top of the Kingdom)
In a brand-new home, every room is somewhere Leo has never been — which, to a very small cat, makes it basically uncharted territory. From the mysterious drip in the kitchen to the mountain that is definitely a couch, he investigates every inch of it, one cautious, determined paw at a time. A warm, funny story about a tiny cat discovering that home is its own kind of adventure — the kind of book little explorers ask to hear again before bed.
2: Leo Lion Paws: One Very Small Lion, One Very Big Adventure (A Whole Wide World, One Paw Print at a Time)
Every great lion starts somewhere. For Leo Lion Paws, it all begins with one tiny, brave step beyond the safety of home — into a river, a meadow, a forest full of things worth investigating. He learns that courage doesn’t mean being fearless. It means taking the next step, even when the world feels wonderfully big. A warm, funny story about one very small lion and one whole wide world — the kind of book little explorers ask to hear again and again before bed.
3: Leo Lion Paws: From Heatwave to Ice Cave (A New Friend, and a Great Challenge)
When a heatwave sweeps through the forest, Leo Lion Paws shares his shade with a stranger — and one small act of kindness leads him somewhere extraordinary. Guided by his new friend Mira, Leo ventures into a hidden ice cave glowing with ancient magic, discovering that courage doesn’t have to be loud to matter. A warm, funny, gently magical adventure — the kind of story kids ask for again and again, and grown-ups don’t mind rereading.
About the book
What is the book about?
Leo Lion Paws follows a small, very confident cat who’s convinced he’s a mini lion — inspired by my own real cat, Leo. The series follows him from exploring his first cozy home, to a brave first step into the wider world, to a heatwave that leads him somewhere unexpectedly magical. It’s a story about courage, kindness, and the small brave steps that turn into big adventures.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing the series from May to August this year, inspired by my cat Leo.
How long did it take you to write it?
Once I began writing down his real-life antics, the stories came together quickly. From the first spark of an idea to a complete three-book series took only a few months.
Where did you get the idea from?
Leo himself. Though I had named him Lion when I got him, Leo decided fairly early on that Leo suited him better — shorter, and still means lion, as far as he’s concerned. His unmistakably lion-like paws earned him the rest of the name. Watching his everyday confidence — treating every room like uncharted territory, utterly convinced of his own importance — is what made me start writing his adventures down. I let Leo take form and shape on the page, staying true to who he really is.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Keeping the stories simple and warm while still shaping each book into its own little journey — sometimes cozy, sometimes adventurous.
What came easily?
Capturing Leo’s personality — he already behaves like a tiny lion, so the tone came naturally.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Leo is entirely real — a real Abyssinian cat who also runs his own YouTube channel with a small, devoted following. The adventures in the books are imagined, but his personality is completely genuine.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Many authors have influenced me along the way. I’ve always loved reading, and I draw inspiration from children’s authors as well as writers from completely different genres and age groups. Children’s authors influenced the simplicity and warmth of the Leo Lion Paws series, while writers from other genres helped me refine structure and rhythm. I also love weaving in a bit of wit and humor, which felt natural given how genuinely funny Leo is in real life. All those voices, over many years, helped shape the gentle, simple tone I use in the series.
Do you have a target reader?
Children ages 3–9, and the parents, grandparents, and teachers reading alongside them.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I write in short, focused sessions and keep the structure simple. I outline lightly to keep the emotional flow clear, and then refine the text until it feels natural. I also maintained a daily writing habit, often working in deep hyper-focus, which helped me move through the series efficiently.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I outline lightly. I only sketch a few guiding points to keep the emotional flow clear, rather than building a detailed chapter-by-chapter plan. For the Leo Lion Paws series, the stories grew naturally from Leo’s real-life moments, so a flexible structure worked best. I prefer having just enough direction to stay focused while still leaving space for the story to unfold on its own.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit in small passes rather than long sessions. I focus on rhythm, clarity, and keeping the language gentle for young readers. Refining as I go works well for me and keeps the text clean without interrupting the flow of the story.
Did you hire a professional editor?
For this series, I handled the editing myself. The books are short, visual, and character-driven, so a light, careful self-editing process worked well. Keeping the tone simple and gentle made it easy to refine the text on my own.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I usually write without music. I prefer quiet, especially for children’s books, because it helps me keep the tone soft and focused.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I’m currently not working with an agent. I chose to self-publish via BoD (Books on Demand) for paperback and ebooks, alongside Amazon KDP. For this series, the indie route made the most sense because it allowed me full creative control and a fast timeline.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
A bit of both. Leo’s stories are deeply personal to me — I wanted to share them with children exactly as they were meant to be: simple, gentle, and full of heart. I chose the indie path so I could keep control over my stories, my visuals, my timelines, and the way Leo’s world grows. Independence lets me move fast and stay true to my vision, without waiting for anyone’s permission.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The cover and interior artwork were created using generative AI, since it wasn’t possible to photograph real scenes for every moment in the story. It allowed me to capture Leo’s world visually while keeping the style consistent and gentle.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Yes — a genuine plan. I’m building a dedicated author website, staying active on social media (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok), and reaching out directly to children’s book bloggers, reviewers, and platforms. It’s a steady, long-term approach rather than improvisation.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Start small, keep the structure simple, and focus on the emotional core of your story. Momentum matters more than perfection.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I spent my early childhood in Kingston, Jamaica, until I was nine, and then moved to Switzerland, which has been home ever since.
Where do you live now?
I live in Bern, Switzerland.
What would you like readers to know about you?
Though I had named him Lion when I got him, Leo decided early on that Leo suited him better — shorter, and still meaning lion, as far as he’s concerned. His unmistakably lion-like paws earned him the rest of the name. He also runs a YouTube channel, Leo-Lion-Paws, where a small but wonderful group of humans watches him do very important cat business — and anyone who joins is immediately named an honorary subject of the kingdom. But Leo isn’t chasing greatness; he’s chasing whatever grabs his interest. So far, he has conquered not just the living room but the entire flat, stepped into a river, a meadow, and a forest full of things worth investigating, and even rescued a few newfound friends from a heatwave using cool magic gathered from a hidden ice cave. He considers this an excellent start. Naturally, there’s more to come.
What are you working on now?
I’m not planning a fourth book this year. Right now, I’m focusing on sharing the existing three-book series with readers, building Leo’s presence, and gathering more inspiration for future books.
End of Interview:
For more from Tana Renfer (or maybe directly from Leo) visit their website.
Get your copy of Leo Lion Paws: Leo’s Cozy Kingdom (From Under the Couch to the Top of the Kingdom) from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
And if you get that, you know you’re going to want a copy of book 2 (Leo Lion Paws: One Very Small Lion, One Very Big Adventure (A Whole Wide World, One Paw Print at a Time) and book 3 (Leo Lion Paws: From Heatwave to Ice Cave (A New Friend, and a Great Challenge). Use the links below to get them too:
