Brock: What was your inspiration for writing this book?

​Valerie: When my oldest was about three, my husband and I had a discussion if we would have the Easter bunny as part of our Easter celebrations. I grew up with the Easter Bunny, but as we discussed it, we didn’t see any connection between the rabbit and the gospel. The more I thought about it the more I struggled with the overwhelming presence of the Easter bunny. Then a question popped into my mind, what if the Easter bunny could point people to Christ instead of candy. From that question this little story grew into a book I couldn’t keep to myself any longer.

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

Valerie:  The main characters are a little grey rabbit and Jesus. I think we can all agree that Jesus is pretty unique since he did miracles and was the Son of God. While the little gray rabbit is pretty ordinary, except for the heart-shaped fur on his chest. Be sure to watch this little feature as you read through the book.

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

Valerie:  Jesus: He’s coming back. Bunny- in the original version of the book he was brown. Beta readers are very important.

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

Valerie: Easter changes everything.

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?

Valerie: Since An Easter Bunny’s Tale follows the events of Easter, that provided the basic outline for the story. Then I just had to figure out how a rabbit could fit into all the events leading up to the resurrection of Christ. 


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

Valerie: In the story, as the little bunny follows Jesus, he finds himself getting dirty. When Jesus comes back to life, the little bunny doesn’t think Jesus would want to see him because he is so dirty. But my favorite line in the book is, ‘His nail-torn hands scooped me up. He didn’t fear the mud and the muck.’ I think we all feel inadequate and unworthy whether we’ve been a Christian for a long time or have yet to claim Jesus as our savior. But it’s because of what Jesus did on the cross that we can be with him and be washed clean. It is a truth we all need reminding of from time to time.

Brock: What is your favorite genre to write for?

Valerie: I think Rebekah Lyons said it once, “where your burden and your passion collide is where you find your purpose.” I love writing for kids because my boys are my joy and burden. And my passion is for stories that move people. Writing for children is such a challenge and a joy. When you do it right, the story will speak to the child inside all of us.

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

Valerie:  It’s my prayer that parents will use this book and the discussion questions in the back, to have conversations about what Jesus did at Easter and what that means for our salvation.

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

Valerie:  My hope and prayer is that kids can watch the changes in the little gray bunny and see how what Jesus did on the cross can change their hearts. That they will want to know more about Jesus and his death and resurrection, so they can come to a saving faith early in life.


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

Valerie: I am a part-time writer. My other titles include Taxi-driver, Line Chef, Housekeeper, Laundry service, and walker, abbreviated as Mom.
 
Brock: What is your "how I got published" story?

Valerie: I started writing seriously back in 2006, but when my son was born in 2008 plus several other circumstances, depression became too big of a stumbling block to ignore. So for ten-years I worked through my depression and focused on raising my family. When the 2020 quarantine came around I had worked through a lot of my depression and insequrities, writing mostly for fun in this time period. But during the stay-at-home mandate, I found myself drawing pictures for this story. As it all came together, I decided to put the book together as an Easter gift for the kids in my extended family. After giving those books out, God pressed on my heart that this story wasn’t just for my family. With a lot more prayer and encouragement from my family, I moved forward to self-publish An Easter Bunny’s Tale in 2021. There was a strong learning curve and illustrator issues that made me postpone the release to 2022. God knew what he was doing, and I’m so thankful I said yes to his leading.


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

Valerie: Harold and the Purple Crayon and the Velveteen Rabbit are my favorite children’s books. They are the books that introduced me to the magic of words and stories. Favorite books as a teen were the Narnia Chronicles by CS Lewis and This Present Darkness by Frank Perretti.


Brock: In what ways does your faith impact how you approach writing?

Valerie:  My faith is the ultimate inspiration. Most of my stories come from faith struggles or faith questions that I or my kids have had. There is no greater storyteller than God and I am humbled to join in his efforts to communicate truths about him to anyone who would read.

Brock: Favorite place to vacation?

Valerie: Red River, New Mexico in the summer. My family has traveled there for five generations. It even was a honeymoon spot for several members of my family. The quiet beauty of it all plus the memories make it one of my favorite vacation spots.

Brock: Favorite season?

Valerie:  Spring. I love the burst of color after winter, and it means Easter is coming 

Brock: Do you have a particular drink or food you consume when you write?

Valerie: I usually have a large cup of water and some trail mix. If I’m feeling healthy the mix is almonds, cashews, and cranberries. If my sweet tooth gets the best of me, it might be peanuts, M&M’s, and chocolate chips.

Brock: What’s your favorite holiday memory?

Valerie: We were having Christmas at my grandmother’s house with all my cousins. My youngest cousin at the time was six and it was her turn to open a gift. She ripped through the paper and exclaimed “It’s a Box!” She was so excited about this brown cardboard box, that my aunt and uncle were confused. They thought they forgot to put the gift in, but no, the give was there. My sweet little cousin was so excited to open gifts that it didn’t matter what was inside. 

Brock: Did you always want to be a children’s author? 

Valerie:  Truthfully no. I started out wanting to write Historical fiction for adults, but as I started having children I fell in love with children’s books. And as my kids enjoyed the books we brought home, I began to write stories for my kids, and I love it.

Brock: What are you reading right now?

Valerie: ​ Right now, I’m halfway through Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, while also reading The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Eareckson Tada and Fart Proudly by Benjamin Franklin (follow me on social media to find out why)

​What do your kids know about the fruit of the Spirit? Maybe they can rattle off the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But do they really understand what the fruits look like in daily life? 

Christie Thomas is here to help you connect your children to the power of the Holy Spirit – and help your entire family learn a lot along the way! Each of these 100 devotionals will inspire your family with thought-provoking questions, real-life applications, and more. She also includes hands-on activities you can try when there’s time. 
​
Fruit Full offers real understanding of how God covers each of us with his goodness and love, and how the Spirit will help your kids grow in their own beautiful, Jesus-reflecting character With this book as your guide, the whole family will learn to grow abundant “fruit” together. 

“The most comprehensive, well-written family devotional on the fruits of the Spirit that I have ever read…A thoroughly easy-to-read, delightful devotional.”
-Glenys Nellist, author of the Love Letters from God series

Brock: How did you come up with the idea for this book?
Valerie: Surprisingly I was scrolling through social media and came across a picture of a little girl placing a crown on her head with the words: ‘On the darkest days when I feel inadequate, unloved, and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am and I straighten my crown.’ As I went to bed that night, I couldn’t get that quote out of my head. The words of the quote spoke to a deep place in my heart, and part of me wished I had heard it as a kid. And from that bit of insomnia came the idea to retell the story of Red Riding Hood from a Christian perspective.

Brock: Tell us about the main characters. Who are they, and what makes them unique?
Valerie: In any retelling of Red Riding Hood, there is Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. But in this story Little Red isn’t going to Grandma’s house because Grandma is sick, Little Red is going because the King has asked her to deliver something. Little Red is like many Christians. We’re given the task by the King of Kings to use the gifts he has given us to glorify Him. The Wolf in this story isn’t physical but represents the doubts and insecurities people of any age often struggle with. 

Brock: I love this take on the story! Give us one fact about each main character that no one else knows.
Valerie: Little Red- She doesn’t know what in the basket she is delivering
The Wolf- There’s more than one in my book….

Brock: In three sentences what is this book about? 
Valerie: Remember who you are. You’re a child of God. You are never out of his reach.

Brock: How do you believe this story relates to the lives of readers?
Valerie: I believe that we all relate to the Red Riding Hood character because fear of the unknown is such a universal response in the world. Both Little Red and Grandmother in Beneath the Hood had to remember that they are a child of the King. I believe anyone who picks up this book needs reminding of who they are and whose they are from time to time.

Brock: What is the biblical background or basis for the series?
Valerie: James 1:12 is the inspiration verse for this book. It says, ‘ Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’ We will face our wolves in this life but when we remember we are heirs to the kingdom of God (Titus 3:7), and that he will never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20) we can walk through the forest with confidence.

Brock: What great verses to draw from! How does it feel to have your work published? 
Valerie: I am amazed at what God has done. I’ve felt the nudge to write a book for a long time, but insecurity and fear held me back for a long time. When I, with God, broke down those barriers. He has been faithful to leading and encouraging me in this journey. This book is such an act of worship and faith that I am so humbled by what He has done.


Brock: How do you hope parents will use this book with their kids?
Valerie: It’s my prayer that parents will use this book and the discussion questions in the back, to have conversations about our identity in Christ. To help the quiet insecure kiddo -like me- grow in confidence and acceptance of who they are because they are a child of God.

Brock: Wow! It's the hope of many parents! What do you hope kids take away from this book?
Valerie: My hope for kids is that they have a stronger grasp of their value, identity, and the love of God as they walk through the dark forests that we all encounter in life.

Brock: For such a time as this! What is your favorite genre to write for?
Valerie: I think Rebekah Lyons said it once. “ where your burden and your passion collide is where you find your purpose.” I love writing for kids because my boys are my joy and burden. And my passion is for stories that move people. Writing for children is such a challenge and a joy. When you do it right, the story will speak to the child inside all of us.

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?
Valerie: For novels, I typically do a skeleton outline and as I’m writing see what the characters reveal to me. But for Children’s books, I do a lot of sketching and storyboarding, since picture books rely on the pictures to tell a portion of the story.

Brock: Where do you like to write?
Valerie: Either at the formal dining table in my home or the local library with headphones in place. (Earbuds hurt)

Brock: Are you a full-time or part-time author/writer?
Valerie: I am a part-time writer. My other titles include Taxi-driver, Line Chef, Housekeeper, Laundry service, and dog walker, abbreviated as Mom.

Brock: The most important role of all Mom (or Dad)! How long does it usually take you to write a single book?
Valerie: For a children’s book anywhere from thirty minutes to months, depending if I get distracted by another idea. For a novel, between 30 days ( NANOWRIMO) to six months. The editing process takes A LOT longer.


Brock: Indeed it does! What is the one author, living or dead, whom you would co-write a book with and why?
Valerie: Hands down C.S. Lewis. I would love to sit with him and bring the amazing truths he gave in his books to adults and boil them down to the wonder and power that is found in Narnia. 

Brock: What are your hopes for your future as an author?
Valerie: I hope to continue writing simple stories with biblical truth, as long as God asks that of me. I self-published my first two books and would love to be traditionally published. It’s my job to be obedient with the ‘talents’ God has given me, and he’ll do the rest.

Brock: Now for some rather interesting questions in lighting round form! Coke or Pepsi?
Valerie: Dr. Pepper :)

Brock: Favorite season?
Valerie: Christmas, I know you wanted one of the four seasons, but you can’t deny Christmas is a season all to itself. :) In my heart, I’m still a kid.


Brock: Favorite color?
Valerie: Teal

Brock: Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are some examples?
Valerie: I usually create a playlist for whatever I’m working on and listen to that as I’m writing. I’m working on a medieval middle-grade series, so there’s a lot of Celtic music on that list. If I’m working on a longer piece of fiction, I hope over to Michael Hyatt’s Writer’s Playlist on Spotify. It has a lot of great soundtrack instrumental pieces, that will keep me from singing in the library.

Brock: Great suggestions! What is your favorite book?
Valerie: You know I can’t pick just one. That would be cruel.
Children’s book, I’d have to say Harold and the Purple Crayon. I love creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Middle grade- I bet you can guess, The Narnia Series by CS Lewis Adult book- The Circle Series by Ted Dekker- I love how the gospel is woven within these books.

Brock: What do your kids think of your writing?
Valerie: Truthfully they are my first beta audience, so they get to watch the story unfold differently. But they have seen my struggle with confidence. They have encouraged me and inspired me in many ways. I hope they see how I am working toward a goal, making mistakes, and trying again. I know they are excited as I am about the journey God is taking my books on. They are watching me live out the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, and I pray it inspires them to work hard for their dreams also.​

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

​

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??!!

Book Title: 
Bedtime with Mommy
Bedtime with Daddy
​
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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyisanders
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyisanders    
Facebook Author’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/NancyI.SandersAuthorPage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyISanders
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyisanders/
Amazon Author’s Page: www.amazon.com/author/nancysanders
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teacher-Plus-Writer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/95924.Nancy_I_Sanders
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyisanders/
Blogzone (for writers): https://nancyisanders.wordpress.com   
Christian Children’s Authors: https://christianchildrensauthors.com/
Write2Ignite Blog: https://write2ignite.com/blog/

Amy Houts is an award-winning author who’s written over 100 children’s books including God’s Protection Covers Me and Active Bible Play. She’s a member of the United Methodist Church where she’s attended Bible study for over 30 years. 
​

Laura Martin has released her third book, it's not from the same world as Edge of Extinction (Remember #Dinosaurs) but it's equally as exciting and as inventive! Float is an inspiring story that helps us find the hero within, even when we feel like an outcast. A great story for all ages and for families to read aloud together.

From the Publisher:
From the critically acclaimed author of the Edge of Extinction series comes this fast-paced, action-packed, and heartfelt adventure about a group of kids with uncontrollable abilities, perfect for fans of Gordon Korman, Lisa McMann, and Dan Gutman!
Emerson can float…he just can’t do it very well.
His uncontrollable floating is his RISK factor, which means that he deals with Reoccurring Incidents of the Strange Kind. The last place Emerson wants to be is at a government-mandated summer camp for RISK kids like him, so he’s shocked when he actually starts having fun at camp—and he even makes some new friends.
But it’s not all canoeing and capture the flag at Camp Outlier. The summer of fun takes a serious turn when Emerson and his friends discover that one of their own is hiding a deadly secret that puts all of their lives in danger.
It’s up to the Red Maple boys to save themselves—and everyone like them.

Praise for Float:
“A fun, funny, and fast-paced summer camp romp full of pranks, plot-twists and goofy superpowers. Emerson’s adventures (and misadventures) teach us that the greatest power of all comes from the friends who push us to overcome our perceived limitations and make the most of every moment.”  
- John David Anderson, author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
“Simply superb. Martin’s novel feels exactly like summer camp should; the antics of the boys and the friendships they develop will make readers wish they were roasting marshmallows in the woods with their best friends.”
- Booklist
“With lots of action, great dialogue, and plenty of humor, Martin’s style and tone are reminiscent of Gordon Korman and Dan Gutman.”- School Library Journal
“Martin conjures a sense of wonder and whimsy.”- Publishers Weekly