Ashley Snook

Meet the creators of "Pause, Paws"

Co-authors Ashley Snook and Alex Mallari Jr. bring their unique backgrounds together to create "Pause, Paws", a heartwarming children’s book about a curious puppy named Paws who learns to navigate life’s daily challenges—one deep breath at a time.

Ashley Snook is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator with a PhD in Art and Visual Culture. Her work explores ecological themes and mindfulness—a value reflected in the book. Alex Mallari Jr., a Filipino-Canadian actor and athlete, is best known for his roles in Netflix's The Adam Project and SyFy's Dark Matter, amongst many other roles. His journey through athleticism and passion for storytelling helped shape the book’s themes of perseverance and emotional awareness.

Despite their different cultural upbringings, Ashley and Alex share a deep appreciation for family, mindfulness, and resilience—values they now pass on to their own growing family. Pause, Paws is more than just a story; it’s a tool to help children (and parents) embrace mindfulness in a fast-paced world.

Join Paws on this meaningful journey—one breath at a time.