Night Night, Sleepytown, by Amy Parker | Speed Interview

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The Children’s Book Review

The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe Night Night, Sleepytown?

Amy Parker: Celebrating our amazing community helpers!

What inspired you to write it?

When I was a little girl, at bedtime my mom would say, “Okay, it’s time to go to Sleepytown.” So, naturally, when I wrote Night Night, Train, the destination was Sleepytown. But we didn’t really get to explore what Sleepytown was. Then my agent, Dan Lynch, said, “How about Night Night, Sleepytown?” And this whole idea of celebrating community helpers in a sleepy little town came to be!

If you had to take a vacation with one of the characters from Night Night, Sleepytown, who would it be? Why?

The teacher! I could say, “Oooh, what’s that over there?” And of course, she would know.

Is there an illustration in the book that you like the best?

Ooh, that’s tough. I mean, there is a bookstore inside. But I’d have to say that my favorite is the firefighter scene. There’s so much going on there, and everyone is having big, bubbly fun. And look for the racoon! Ha! Virginia Allyn creates nothing but excellence.

What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?

When I read it to the kiddos at the release party—in an actual fire station, no less!—you could see all of the little light bulbs going off. They would excitedly tell me about their new teacher or how their daddy had cows like the farmer or how they met a real police officer one day. They get it! They realize the importance of these indispensable helpers in our community. And I hope, in turn, they will want to go on to be helpers too.

What’s on your nightstand? Any books?

An alarm clock. A plugged-in phone. Dust. I’m reading The Plans I Have for You devotional with my son. And I have two big bricks of nonfiction: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow & Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas.

What were your favorite books growing up?

As kids, my brothers and I loved Richard Scarry. I can still remember poring over the illustrations with the little word beside each object. The Sleepytown cover reminds me of those books. As I got older, I can remember loving Encyclopedia Brown, The Babysitter’s Club, the Choose Your Own Adventure series. I was always reading something!

For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?

Sugar and coffee (namely, Peanut M&Ms & a latte).

Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?

Computer for max production; pen and paper for new ideas; a green 1970s typewriter when I get stuck.

Can you tell us one more thing we may not know about Night Night, Sleepytown, your writing style, or yourself?

My writing style . . . I don’t even really know what that is. Warm? I hope so. Rhyming? Not always. But I do know this: it’s always changing, always growing, always morphing. I’m always learning and stretching and trying new things and failing and trying again. It’s part of the writing process. It’s part of the human process.

My writing is a lot of silly and sing-song and whimsy but also a lot of sincerity and questions and love. I’ve written a series about cats (which my agent hates ;). I just jotted down a crazy idea for a (realistic) dystopian novel for adults. But no matter what I do, I want to convey God’s unimaginable, boundless love for every single person on this planet. And the opportunities for that is endless.

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Night Night, Sleepytown

Written by Amy Parker

Illustrated by Virginia Allyn

Publisher’s Synopsis: Join bestselling author Amy Parker and award-winning illustrator Virginia Allyn in the latest Night Night adventure through Sleepytown, where community helpers work hard so everyone can rest! Say thank you and good night to farmers, doctors, teachers, firefighters, and God, who takes care of us all. Your little ones will sleep soundly, feeling safe and loved.

Night night, helpers—Sleepytown too!

Thank you all for what you do.

Amy Parker’s children’s books have sold more than a million copies, including two Christian Retailing’s Best award-winning books and the bestselling A Night Night Prayer; Night Night, Farm; and Night Night, Train.

Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Thomas Nelson | August 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-1400310036

Available Here:

About the Author

Amy Parker’s children’s books have sold more than 1 million copies, including two Christian Retailing’s Best award-winning books and the bestselling A Night Night Prayer. She lives outside Nashville with her husband and two children.