Whether it’s holiday shopping for the newest additions to our family or preparing for a baby shower, I absolutely love putting together a gift for the little ones! Thanks to my partnership with Zonderkidz, I’ve discovered the NURTURING STEPS SERIES, a new series with a lovely mission to provide parents and grandparents with music and books to enliven a young child’s journey with hope and faith through song and storytelling.
My very favorite gift to give is a handmade one. I treasure the baby blankets that my grandmothers made for each of my children and now that I’m a grandma, I love to continue the tradition. Though I don’t knit as well as they did, I’m pretty handy with a knitting loom and use it to create soft and cuddly baby blankets for the newborns.
Another gift my grandmothers gave me is a love of literacy. Both encouraged me to read from a very young age and I still have all the early readers they gifted me throughout the years. My signature gift for baby showers has become a hand-made blanket and lovingly selected book. It makes my heart smile to be able to pass along these family traditions while welcoming the new little ones into our lives.
The NURTURING STEP SERIES is a beautiful choice to pair with a cuddly baby blanket. With titles like “Nighty Night and Good Night” and “Let’s Get Ready for Bed,” it’s simply a charming match!
I love the creative prose and cute illustrations in the books. The musical accompaniments that can be found online are an awesome bonus, too. Plus, I appreciate that each book has a dedicated page suitable for gift-giving, allowing you to write a message to the recipient.
This holiday season, I’m crafting several blankets to pair with this fantastic series. I know it will be a gift that will be well received!
About the NURTURING STEPS SERIES by Michael W. Smith & Mike Nawrocki
Book 1: Nighty Night and Good Night
Book 2: Let’s Get Ready for Bed
Published by Zonderkidz, Recommended for ages 0 – 4
Multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy® Award winning artist Michael W. Smith launches Nurturing Steps™, a new infant and toddler series with a simple mission to provide parents and grandparents with music and books to enliven a young child’s journey with hope and faith through song and storytelling. The first new album, Lullaby, and book, Nighty Night and Good Night, from Nurturing Steps released on May 4th and May 8th, 2018.
These projects also mark the first-ever children’s album and book by Michael, each crafted in collaboration with renowned VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki.
About the Creators of the NURTURING STEPS SERIES
Michael W. Smith is a successful recording artist who has recorded more than 25 albums and had numerous hit radio songs in the Christian and General markets. He’s won numerous Grammy and Dove Awards and is the founder of Rocketown, an outreach to teenagers in a 38,000 square-foot facility in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. He is involved in mission work around the world. He has also written several best-selling books, including Old Enough to Know and Friends Are Friends Forever. He and his wife, Debbie, have five children and live in Nashville.
Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales and the voice of the beloved Larry The Cucumber, has been part of the pulse of the Veggie brand since its inception in 1993. Mike has created, written, and directed most of the popular “Silly Songs with Larry” segments, including fan favorites “His Cheeseburger” and “The Hairbrush Song.” He has also lent his screenwriting and directing talents to dozens of VeggieTales episodes such as “Madame Blueberry and The League of Incredible Vegetables,” as well as both of the properties’ theatrical release films, Jonah and The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. In addition, Mike has authored a number of VeggieTales books and CD projects as well as developing and writing for another of Big Idea’s hit animated properties, 3-2-1 Penguins. Mike is currently focused on developing new children’s properties centered around fun characters, engaging storytelling, and wholesome values. Mike makes his home in Franklin, TN with his wife and two children.
Win a Nurturing Steps Sleepytime Kit!
Thanks to our friends at Zonderkidz, one (1) Rural Mom reader will win a Nurturing Steps Sleepytime Kit that includes:
- Copies of both Nurturing Steps books
- plus the blue-tooth enabled Sight & Sound sleep soother!
US residents only, 18+ Prizing provided by Zonderkidz.
ENTER via the Rafflecopter below:
Do you have a favorite gift to give to welcome newborns into your family?
I like to give the essentials.
I like gift cards to give!
mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
I like to give something special to the new mom so she can pamper herself a little!