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News Release: Lifelong Educator and GrandMom Shares the Secret to Getting Children to Nap with Whimsical Picture Book

Are you a parent, grandparent or caregiver of a child who doesn't want to take a nap? I know just how you feel. My three children were each twenty months apart from one another; there was always one who didn't want to nap. Just when one would get to sleep, another one would wake up when the dog barked or the phone rang. In the beginning, I found naptime to be the most challenging time of the day. I would wake in the morning and plan my day around naptime, how about you? Oh, the things I dreamed I would get done on my list; and you know what they say about best-laid plans. That's right, they often didn't happen when I had three toddlers.

NapPouch made from the books dust jacket

How to make your NapPouch from the book's dust jacket!

Why are rhyming books important?

Q&A with Tina Huggins, Author of The Nodders

This whimsical story introduces the Nodders, magical creatures who leave special treats for Nappers while they snooze!

How did you come up with the name "The Nodders"?

Teaching Toddlers about Colors, Objects and Shapes with The Nodders

Don't just read it once...read it over and over with your little ones in your lap. Ask them to show you the bunny in the field or the fish in the pond. For older children you can have them count the fish in the pond, or tell you the shapes that are on the Nodders pajamas! They will have a delightful time engaging with you while learning.

Book Reviews and Endorsements

Booklife/Publishers Weekly Review There are no shortage of “go to sleep” books for kids (and adults), and The Nodders succeeds in differentiating itself with its highly original concept —and by focusing on naps. Even so, it could easily be read as a good night book as well. These charming beings will likely work their way into kids’ hearts, and will certainly be welcome in a caregiver’s arsenal when it comes to nudging children toward sleep. Takeaway: A picture book alive with whimsy and enchantment, The Nodders is crafted to charm little ones into napping. Great for fans of: Il Sung Na’s A Book of Sleep, Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Red Pajama, Divya Srinivasan’s Little Owl’s Night.

Noteworthy Book Reviews

The Nodders succeeds in differentiating itself with its highly original concept —and by focusing on naps. Even so, it could easily be read as a good night book as well. These charming beings will likely work their way into kids’ hearts, and will certainly be welcome in a caregiver’s arsenal when it comes to nudging children toward sleep.A picture book alive with whimsy and enchantment, The Nodders is crafted to charm little ones into napping.

Great for fans of Il Sung Na’s A Book of Sleep, Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Red Pajama, Divya Srinivasan’s Little Owl’s Night.

- Publisher's Weekly

An ancient tree in the Beddy Bye Woods is home to the Nodders: small winged creatures who only wake up when children go to sleep. To encourage children to take their naps, the Nodders leave treats or toys in sleeping children’s “NapPouches,” a concept inspired by a trick the author’s mother used. With fuzzy ears, patterned pajamas, and magic slippers that transform into everything from skates to rockets, the Nodders are sure to encourage any child to embrace nap time.

- Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Reviews

Where was this book when my own child was little!?! Lovely little nap time story; So charming and sweet. I loved the illustrations of the Nodders. Absolutely adorable! Don;t forget to leave a special little something for the child when he/she awakes! It's part of the charm! I need to get this book for the littles who still nap.

-Cat, Goodreads

It’s a clever and engaging conceit: While kids nap, Nodders romp. Written in story-time rhymes crafted to be read aloud, and boasting Brian Schmidt’s stunning and lively digital illustrations of its imaginative subjects, The Nodders is a picture book sure to be requested again and again—and one that might offer relief to tired caregivers and children alike.

-Booklife Reviews

The Nodders is so original in concept and scope. It is charming for children to hear the story and fun for the reader too. I'm sure many fond memories will be started by the story and illustrations. And the practice of childhood napping will NEVER be the same! Enjoyment for years to come.

- Amazon Customer Reviews

She loves this book! I am buying this for everyone I know having a baby. We just went 2 days without a nap and she was exhausted. She cannot seem to shut her mind off. Seriously, I did not hear a peep. I have a few great trinkets that I keep, like a sticker. Anything becomes a treasure at this age.

- Barnes & Noble Customer Reviews

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