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Conquer His Fears

Nicole Drinkwater Author Interview

When a curious boy with an overactive imagination has trouble sleeping, his mom helps him with his big feelings. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Bedtime Worries?

This series is based on my son and his own worries. At bedtime he would come up with many questions, and I wasn’t quite sure how to answer them. As outlandish as these worries seemed, to Kale they were very real.  So, with a little reassurance and humour he was able to conquer his fears and sleep on his own.

Is there anything about Kale that came from yourself or your life experiences? 

I’m sure a lot of children and parents can relate to Kale’s worries and questions at bedtime. I knew that when I wrote this book, that parents especially would appreciate sharing this read with their little ones before bedtime. I can also relate to these many anxious moments in my own childhood.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Stefanie St. Denis?

Stephanie St Denis is an amazing illustrator, and we work well together in this series. She takes in all my feedback and transforms my vision into a perfect illustration on each colourful page.

Will there be a follow-up book to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?

Yes, I am currently working on my third book in this series called “Carnival Chaos- The What-If Kid” This story will depict a day at the carnival through Kales eyes. What worries will Kale come up with? What worries will he overcome?

 He will see all the sites and sounds of a carnival, and I can not wait for my readers to journey through this adventure with Kale, as they read about his experience at the carnival.

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Kale has let his wild imagination take over again in this second installment of The What-If Kid series.
Mama is trying to get Kale to sleep in his own bed all night long without waking her up or sneaking out, but his worries have become apparent as he explains all of his big feelings before bedtime.

Bedtime Worries-The What-If Kid

Bedtime Worries is a sweet and rhyming children’s book about Kale, a curious boy whose overactive imagination keeps him up at night. Through a series of heartfelt and often funny exchanges with his patient mom, Kale voices all the “what-ifs” racing through his mind, from fears of monsters under his bed to worries about strange noises in the dark. By the end of the book, Kale not only manages to fall asleep but wakes up feeling confident and self-reliant.

I loved how relatable Kale’s worries were, especially for kids. His questions like, “What if monsters are waiting under my bed?” or “What if a bird taps on my window, wanting to spy?” reminded me of my own childhood fears. The author captures these anxieties vivdly. His mom’s soothing responses, like describing dreams of “lollipops, sugar clouds, and loads of ice cream,” were so tender. It’s clear that she’s trying to build trust while easing Kale’s mind.

I absolutely loved the colorful and expressive artwork that brought every page of Bedtime Worries to life. The illustrations were vibrant and full of personality, capturing Kale’s emotions perfectly. Each page felt warm and inviting, with little details like the soft glow of the nightlight making the story visually appealing.

The writing flows like a lullaby, and the rhymes make it a joy to read aloud. I also appreciated the subtle humor in moments like Kale’s mom yawning and snapping her fingers to signal bedtime rules. Those little touches made her feel real. The ending tied everything together nicely. I loved seeing Kale’s transformation in the morning, waking up confident and eager to take on the day. The last reminder that “worries are normal” is a reassuring message, not just for kids but for adults too.

This picture book is a gem for parents of young kids. It’s perfect for bedtime, especially if you’ve got a little one who’s full of questions and “what-ifs.” Bedtime Worries is a comforting hug of a book, reminding us all that fears can be soothed with love, patience, and a little imagination.

Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0DG45JFM5

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