Bedtime with Mommy and Bedtime with Daddy - Interview with Author Nancy I. Sanders.

From the Publisher

Bedtime with Mommy:
    It’s bedtime all around THE WORLD,
    And Mommies are tucking little ones into bed.
    From the elephants on the grasslands to
    The camels in the desert to the polar bears in the Arctic,
    It’s time for snuggles, prayers, and bedtime kisses.

Bedtime with Daddy:
    All around THE WORLD, it’s bedtime,
    And Daddies are tucking little ones into bed.
    From the Emperor penguins in Antarctica
    To the peacocks in the bushland
    To seahorses in the ocean,
    It’s time for snuggles, prayers, and bedtime stories.

This adorable bedtime book, featuring mommy and baby animals from all over the world, is a sweet and comforting way to tuck your own little one into bed. Written in lyrical text, Nancy I. Sanders beautifully weaves in gentle prayers and reminders of God’s love. Bedtime With Mommy will be one of those books that kids ask for again and again.
--Crystal Bowman, bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 books for children

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The Interview

Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book or series?

Nancy: Ever since our granddaughter was born two years ago, I wanted to write a baby board book to read to her. She’s the first girl in 2 generations! I read a lot of other baby board books but didn’t see any bedtime books with animal habitats around the world. So I thought this idea would make fun new bedtime books.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique? 

Nancy: Each animal's mommy or daddy lives in a unique habitat around the world. Putting their little one to bed in this habitat has its own special memories and situations. I also wanted children from all around the world to identify with the mommies and daddies and little ones in these stories!

Brock: Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.

Nancy:For Bedtime with Mommy, I tried to include animal mommies that were special such as a kangaroo mommy puts her baby to bed inside her pouch! And a mommy sea otter carries her baby on her tummy as she floats on her back.

For Bedtime with Daddy, I especially wanted to include animal daddies who are known for taking special care of their little ones. The Emperor Daddy and seahorse Daddy topped the list!

Brock: In three sentences (or you can choose three words) what is this book about?

Nancy:Bedtime snuggles, kisses, and hugs! Going to bed with a Bible verse, a praise song, and a prayer. Creating a nighttime routine that tells little ones they are loved.

Brock: Do you outline the entire book before starting, or do you write as you go and let the characters take control of the story?

Nancy: Yes, I usually create an outline before I start. I feel it makes the book stronger in the end. I picked the animal moms and dads and habitats I wanted to include as well as the order they would be in before I wrote these books.

Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?

Nancy: These stories show animal babies getting ready for bed by taking a bath, brushing their teeth, picking up their toys, and getting their jammies on. Just like real kids do! And this also shows them adding a Bible story, prayers, praise songs, and lots of snuggles into their bedtime routine.

Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for?

Nancy:I think Christian baby board books tops the list!


Brock: What is the biblical background or basis for the series?

Nancy: I wanted to teach mommies and daddies how to take the opportunity every night to build a foundation of faith in the hearts and lives of their little ones.

Brock: How many books are planned for this series?

Nancy: Two right now. I’d love to see more!

Brock: Any certain research required for the book, or is it all from your imagination?

Nancy: Lots of research went into these books. I researched each animal and its habitat and the relationship between the parents and babies. It was so much fun!!!!

Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids?

Nancy: My prayer is that parents will read these books with their children as part of their bedtime routine and that parents will also be inspired to read a Bible verse, sing a worship song, and pray with their children before tucking them into bed.

Brock: What do you hope kids take away from this book or series?

Nancy: I want little ones to feel wrapped in love…both their parents’ love and the love of their heavenly Father.

Brock: Where do you like to write?

Nancy: I like to write a first draft sitting in a comfy chair in the living room watching the birds outside our front window. Sometimes I go outside in our back yard on our patio swing and write a first draft there while watching the birds back there.

Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer?

Nancy: As a career writer with over 100 books published, I tell people I write full-time part of the time! When my kids were home over summer vacation, growing up, I’d take a break from writing. When they were in school, I’d write from dawn to dusk! Now that my husband is retired and we live near our four grandchildren, when my day is free I write the hours away. When we go camping or have the grandkids over, my writing is put on pause.

Brock: How long does it usually take you to write a single book?

Nancy: It can take anywhere from 1 week to 1 month to 1 year. The longest book I wrote took me 2 ½ years to write. It was a middle grade nonfiction title, JANE AUSTEN FOR KIDS.

Brock: What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

Nancy: Charlotte’s Web. I still read it practically every year.

Brock: Soft shell or Hard Shell tacos?

Nancy: Soft. Vegetarian with beans.

Brock: Favorite place to vacation?

Nancy: We live in southern CA so we have our choice…the mountains or the beach!

Brock: Favorite season?

Nancy: I love Fall through Spring!

Brock: Favorite color?

Nancy: Teal

Brock: What’s your favorite holiday memory?

Nancy: Sledding at Christmas and chopping down a Christmas tree on our family farm with my fiance (and now husband) Jeff.

Brock: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Nancy: I always pick a favorite Bible verse for each new book I write. For these two books, it’s Psalm 149:5, “Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.”

Brock: Favorite pasta dish?

Nancy: Spaghetti Pie. It’s a baked spaghetti casserole with cream cheese. Yum!

Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are some examples?

Nancy: Yes! I always listen to music while I write. If I’m concentrating, it’s instrumental such as Celtic worship music. I just finished a book deadline writing content for a new Bible. For that project I listened ON REPEAT to “My Worth Is Not in What I Own,” by Krysten Getty and Fernando Ortega.

Brock: Favorite Bird?

Nancy: Oh, there are so many! In our front yard right now we have a small flock of bluebirds who come every evening. In our back yard right now we have a spotted towhee. He looks almost like a robin but with brighter colors. We love birds and enjoy a variety year round. So many migrate here to spend the winter. It’s a joy!

Brock: What hobbies do you enjoy?

Nancy: Hiking local trails with my husband, quilting, birdwatching, and raising monarch caterpillars in our back yard. And of course…grandkids! Wait…is that a hobby or an extra special blessing??!!

The Author

Nancy I. Sanders grew up on a dairy farm in Everett, Pennsylvania, with 5 older sisters and 1 older brother. She spent her childhood days milking the cows, baling hay, and ice skating in the winter. She also spent many happy hours with her nose in a favorite book whether perched high up in an apple tree or floating on a raft in the middle of their pond. Today Nancy loves to write and is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 100 books published with publishing houses both big and small. Now, one of her favorite things is to encourage other writers and help them learn practical strategies to use to build their own successful and satisfying career.

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The Book

Book Title: 
Bedtime with Mommy
Bedtime with Daddy
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Publisher: End Game Press

Audience: Baby-4 years old

Genre: Baby board books/bedtime books

Release Date: 
Bedtime with Mommy: August 24, 2021
Bedtime with Daddy: September 6, 2022

Author Name: Nancy I. Sanders

Author Website: http://nancyisanders.com

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