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 books 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. 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 gentle companion to the first 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, JoAnn 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."
Drawing on her twelve years of hands-on childcare, JoAnn knows children thrive on repetition, rhyme, and rhythm. Both books support emotional learning by naming feelings, while their rhyming text builds early literacy and vocabulary. Parents, grandparents, nannies, and teachers will find fresh indoor play ideas for stormy weather in Good Afternoon, Rain, and a feel-good read for any home library or classroom bookshelf in Good Morning, Sunshine.
"I dedicated this book to every child I have cared for, because each one is a blessing," says JoAnn 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 of these books matters because they provide caregivers with tools to support early literacy and emotional development in young children. The rhythmic, repetitive text is designed to engage new readers and reluctant listeners alike, turning simple routines and weather events into shared moments between child and caregiver. As JoAnn nears 65 and plans to retire from nannying, becoming an author allows her to keep sharing joy, warmth, and love with little ones everywhere. Her heartfelt approach to storytelling comes from years of reading, singing, and playing with children.
For more information, visit https://joanngracebooks.com/.
