JoAnn Grace, who has worked as a nanny for twelve years, is releasing two children's picture books: Good Morning, Sunshine and Good Afternoon, Rain. Both are written for toddlers and preschoolers and are available in print and digital formats through major book retailers and online platforms.
Good Morning, Sunshine turns an ordinary morning into a joyful celebration. The story unfolds in a large yellow room, where young readers greet everything around them: the fireplace, the bookshelf, the drapes, the toys, and even a cat chasing a rat. Each page pairs gentle rhyming text with a repeated "Good morning" refrain, inviting little ones to point, name, and join in. Drawing on her hands-on childcare experience, Grace knows children thrive on repetition, rhyme, and rhythm. The book supports early literacy and vocabulary building by introducing familiar objects, colors, and shapes, while encouraging positive morning routines and gratitude.
Good Afternoon, Rain is a cozy companion to the earlier book. It follows a group of toddlers watching a thunderstorm from a sunlit window. They long to go outside, but the wind and rain have other plans. As lightning flashes and thunder rumbles, the children feel both fear and wonder, and ask the questions every child asks: When will it stop? Why is it so loud and bright? Rather than dismissing those worries, Grace answers with comfort and imagination. The children settle in with picture books, blocks, and a wooden train, build blanket forts, and turn a gray rainy day into an adventure. By the end, they greet the storm itself with a cheerful "Good afternoon, thunder, lightning, and rain." The book supports emotional learning by naming feelings, while its rhyming text builds early literacy and vocabulary. Parents, grandparents, nannies, and teachers will also find fresh indoor play ideas for stormy weather.
Grace's background informs both books. She began babysitting at age 12 and raised four children of her own. For the past twelve years, she has worked as a nanny. As she nears 65, she plans to retire from nannying, but not from making a positive difference in children's lives. Becoming an author allows her to keep sharing joy, warmth, and love with little ones everywhere. "I dedicated this book to every child I have cared for, because each one is a blessing," Grace says of Good Morning, Sunshine. "I wanted to create a book that feels like a hug and a bright start to the day." Of Good Afternoon, Rain, she says: "Storms can feel big and scary to little ones. I wanted to show that with a cozy space, a good book, and friends nearby, a rainy afternoon can become an adventure."
The release matters for caregivers and early-childhood educators looking for accessible, affordable read-aloud material that addresses both literacy and emotional development. At 24 pages of simple, sing-song text, Good Morning, Sunshine is a quick, cozy read that families will return to again and again. Its cheerful, accessible language suits new readers and reluctant listeners alike, turning the simple act of saying good morning into a shared moment between child and caregiver. Good Afternoon, Rain offers a gentle way to help toddlers face thunder and lightning with wonder instead of fear. Both books are positioned for bedtime stories, morning routines, quiet moments at home, and classroom use. For media inquiries, interviews, review copies, or speaking opportunities, Grace directs inquiries to https://joanngracebooks.com/.
