Bedtime Stories this year features five local authors and their books to engage children. This filmed series can be enjoyed at home with your child before bed or at anytime. We are proud to present: Julie Blake Gidley, Monica Brown, Erica P. Mason, Diana Reich, and Susan Lamb.
Children’s books have a special way of opening doors to wonder, teaching important lessons, and sparking meaningful conversations. This collection of stories written by local authors introduces young readers to themes of nature, resilience, and the power of connection—all through characters and places that feel both magical and familiar.
In Ponderosa Pete by Julie Blake Gidley, a curious squirrel named Bertie learns about forest health from an ancient ponderosa pine, reminding children of the wisdom nature holds.
Monica Brown’s Butterflies on Carmen Street celebrates family, community, and the magical migration of monarch butterflies through the eyes of young Julianita.
Susan Lamb’s Earth’s Incredible Places: Grand Canyon brings one of the world’s great wonders to life, weaving together facts about wildlife, people, geography, and history in an engaging illustrated guide.
For lessons closer to home, Life With Mimbo: Mimbo’s First Tooth by Erica Mason gently reminds readers that while hard days are inevitable, they can always end with love and comfort.
Finally, Diana Reich’s Henry the Reading Dog follows a determined pup who helps a struggling student find her voice, proving that friendship can transform even the most daunting challenges.
Together, these stories with science themes nurture curiosity, empathy, and joy. We hope that they are the perfect companions for growing readers.
Thank you to our sponsor, Petrified Forest Museum Association, our venue host, Museum of Northern Arizona, and film producer, Winter Communications.
Board member, Adam Marsh, and lead paleontologist at Petrified National Forest, works with a team of scientists to uncover an approximately 300 million-year-old fossil skeleton discovered at Canyonlands National Park in Utah (June 2024)