I met Murfreesboro author Amy Parker when I was pregnant with my daughter. Friends gave me her books as shower gifts, and the pages quickly earned worn edges as I read and re-read the sweet rhymes and Bible promises to first my little girl and later my son.

Through writing this column I connected with her on social media, and I was delighted to learn about her most recent releases for Easter (and her live night-night reading times since quarantine began in Tennessee).

I invited her for an interview to share her latest works with parents in Murfreesboro and to share a bit of wisdom with readers in these uncertain days. Her responses did not disappoint, so whether you're hearing about her for the first time or know her well, you'll love hearing from her on these topics --and be ready to add her works to your shelves!

What brought you to writing children’s books?

It was a God thing. I did an internship at Tommy Nelson (the children’s division of Thomas Nelson) while at MTSU, and I just fell in love with the publishing industry. I didn’t care what I did there, as long as I was there. Fast-forward to a couple of years out of college, when I was working my dream job as an editor at Tommy Nelson . . . and they had a huge layoff. I lost my job, but they immediately asked me to be a freelance editor. I was able to not only work as an editor, but also to pick up any writing jobs that came my way. After a while, I had an idea for my own children’s book, and it became the first book in the Night Night series, A Night Night Prayer.

What kinds of books do you enjoy reading and who are some of your favorite authors?

I read mostly nonfiction, but I also love reading well-crafted children’s books (of course). Madeleine L’Engle writes some pretty wonderful nonfiction for writers (and anybody!). Bob Goff is tons of fun. Ann Voskamp has a gorgeous, emotive style. And for children’s books, I love studying Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, Kevin Henkes and Mo Willems. The best children’s book authors are masters of brevity and wit, and I’m always learning how to be a better writer.

Tell us about your most recent titles.

For the littles, there’s Night Night, Bunny, an adorably sparkly celebration of Easter and spring. It’s the first in a series of four seasonal Night Night books. Sam’s has an extra-large version, if you happen to be in there stocking up on toilet paper. For the older kids, there’s The Big Book of Bible Questions that I co-wrote with apologist (Bible genius!) Doug Powell. We give Bible-based answers to sixty big questions about God, faith, and the Bible. (A fun one: Where did Noah’s ark land? And one that may be particularly relevant today: Why didn’t Jesus heal everyone?)

You can get signed copies of both at Parnassus Books. Here in Murfreesboro, I love Christian Publishers Outlet. Dave and his staff are the best!

What inspired the "Night, Night" series?

One night, I was trying to get three-year-old Ethan (the redhead) to sleep. We had sung all the songs, read all the books, and he was still bouncing around. I finally just gave up and sat back on the bed—that’s when I saw our big maple tree through the window. I pointed and said, "Shh, the trees are sleeping." He looked up and saw the tree and settled down a bit. So, of course, I began naming every single "sleeping" thing I could: the sun, the birds, puppies and kittens . . . and it worked. We both fell asleep. Then around three o’clock in the morning, I woke up with that verse ringing in my head. I got out of bed, typed up a rough draft, and the next week, our publisher said that she needed a bedtime book for a distributor. I sent it to her, and that became A Night Night Prayer. Here we are twelve years later, still doing Night Night books!

What are you doing for families during quarantine?

You can view all of my Facebook Live readings on my author page (There are 10 of them, and they’re about 15 minutes each.) This week, I’ll be sharing some of the recorded readings I’ve done across social media (Facebook: @AmyParkerAuthor, Instagram: @amyparkerbooks). I also have lots of free printables on my website (amyparkerbooks.com, click on Books). There’s everything from coloring sheets to devotionals with blanks for writing. In general, though, I’m just trying to focus on sharing joy and hope and whatever resources I can to help families (including my own!) navigate this uncharted course.

Tell readers a little bit about your immediate family.

My husband, Daniel, is a registered land surveyor (shameless plug for Dan Parker Surveying!). He’s the mathlete; I’m the word nerd. We have two boys, Michael and Ethan. Michael graduated from MTSU, lives in Nashville, and works for Ramsey Solutions. Ethan is fifteen and a sophomore at Central.

How is your family handling quarantine? Have you learned something new about yourself in this time?

Since Dan and I both work from home, it’s been (pretty much) business as usual for us. But a lot of my publicity has been cancelled or postponed around my latest book releases, and I know a lot of authors are feeling that. (Support your favorite authors!) But I have been doing a lot of video readings, both recorded (directly for publishers) and on Facebook Live to give parents some quality screen time and fun resources for children. But all in all, we love having Ethan at home, and we’re trying to find safe ways to spread joy and hope during this stressful time. Also: stress baking is a thing.

What one (or two) pieces of advice would you offer parents during this time?

Slather on the grace—for your kids, your spouse, yourself. Double up on hugs and smiles. Then be still and know that He is God—because He is. He is still watching and loving us, and He will see us through.

What one (or two) pieces of advice would you offer creatives?

We need you! We need you to stand on the front lines of darkness and despair. We need you to buckle down and do what the Creator of the universe created you to do. More than ever, we need your poems and songs and dances and chalk art and handmade masks. The only way for us to fight this present darkness is to shine our lights brighter than ever before.

How is your family celebrating Easter this year?

Honestly, I’m not yet sure. I’m guessing there will be online ordering and baking and watching Pastor Allen from the couch with a cracker-and-juice communion. The big family Easter egg hunts just won’t happen. But even though it will look and feel very different, the sentiment will be the same: He is risen. He is risen, indeed.