Amanda Mireles, OD, always loved writing. As a child, she filled her journal pages with poems and short stories. She paused her creative pursuit while attending optometry school and graduated with her five-month-old daughter, Penny, on her hip. “I didn’t have the time to write anymore,” she says.
But Penny, now 8, inspired Dr. Mireles to pick up her pen again shortly before Penny’s fifth birthday. “She asked for a book as her birthday gift,” Dr. Mireles says. Not wanting to order a generic “cut and paste your kid’s name” book from Etsy, Dr. Mireles took it upon herself to engage her daughter in the entire process, from writing to editing to picking out illustrations. Together, they wrote the first of Dr. Mireles’ myriad of books, “The Dragon Princess.”
A CREATIVE OUTLET AND CONFIDENCE BOOSTER
Feeling the creative juices flowing, Dr. Mireles published her second book, “Lasso the Moon,” just a year later for her daughter Maxine’s first birthday.
“It snowballed,” Dr. Mireles says. “Penny had a ton of ideas for other books, so we got to work.” The pair has worked on a growing collection of picture books. Some are whimsical stories with magical elements and moral teachings, and others are more factual, such as one about geography.
“Penny is involved in every step of the process,” Dr. Mireles says. “She’s a great litmus test—if an idea doesn’t interest her, it probably won’t interest other kids either.”
Seeing her name listed as a co-author and having her ideas come to life on the page has helped build Penny’s confidence, Dr. Mireles says. “She’s so proud of what we’ve created together.”
Every book includes a hidden illustration of the family’s pet parrot, Azzie, as a fun hide-and-seek element for young readers. So far, Dr. Mireles has written 12 books and published seven. Her next series, featuring fruit-themed pigs who each have a different artistic talent, was inspired by Penny’s imagination.
CREATING COMMUNITY
CREATING COMMUNITYEvery person Dr. Mireles has brought into the creative process, including editors and illustrators, is a woman, and most are mothers. She says the collaboration has been just as meaningful as the final product.
One illustrator, a Ukrainian artist, had to flee her home due to air strikes shortly after one project began. “The team was prepared to work around her absence, as her safety is our number one priority,” Dr. Mireles says. “She insisted on continuing the work as a distraction. It’s such an inspiring team we have—we feed off of each other’s good energy.”
FROM THE BOOKSHELF TO THE EXAM LANE
At her day job, Dr. Mireles specializes in pediatrics and neuro-optometry at Woodlands Eyecare in The Woodlands, Texas. When children visit her office, they can read some of her books while they wait—and many recognize her name on the cover. “My patients love to hear about the process,” she says. “It helps create a connection.”
Her writing has become a way to bond with patients, inspire her daughters and preserve family memories. “All of my books contain some hint of my children,” she says. “While working with kids may slow down whatever you’re doing, they learn from us. Let them ask questions, see the hiccups and celebrate the accomplishments. It’s the most rewarding thing as a mom.”
Her books are available for purchase on Amazon under her name, Amanda Mireles.
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