JoAnn Grace, a nanny with twelve years of hands-on childcare experience, has announced the release of two children's picture books: Good Morning, Sunshine and Good Afternoon, Rain. Both titles are written for toddlers and preschoolers and are positioned as read-aloud books for routines at home or in the classroom. The releases matter beyond the bookshelf because they reflect a growing demand for early-learning materials that combine literacy support with emotional development, an area where caregivers, teachers, and families are increasingly seeking practical tools.
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. Grace said she dedicated the book to every child she has cared for. "I wanted to create a book that feels like a hug and a bright start to the day," she said.
The second title, Good Afternoon, Rain, helps toddlers meet thunder, lightning, and rain with curiosity instead of fear. The story 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."
Grace's approach draws on what she describes as children's need for repetition, rhyme, and rhythm. Both books support early literacy and vocabulary building by introducing familiar objects, colors, and shapes, while Good Afternoon, Rain also supports emotional learning by naming feelings. Parents, grandparents, nannies, and teachers will find fresh indoor play ideas for stormy weather in the second book. "Storms can feel big and scary to little ones," Grace said. "I wanted to show that with a cozy space, a good book, and friends nearby, a rainy afternoon can become an adventure."
The two books are available in print and digital formats through major book retailers and online platforms. Grace, who began babysitting at age 12 and raised four children of her own, has worked as a nanny for the past twelve years. As she nears 65, she plans to retire from nannying but not from making a positive difference in children's lives. More information about her work is available at https://joanngracebooks.com/. For an industry built on early childhood development, the debut of a caregiver-turned-author offers a reminder that frontline experience can translate into practical learning resources for families and classrooms alike.
