Readers Dessert

Mrs. Gourd

Written by Jody Bucher

Illustrated by Monica Violet Joy & Asha Butler

Ages: 4+ | 40 Pages

Publisher: Ingram Spark (2026) | ISBN: Hardcover: 979-8-9894987-1-0 | Paperback: 979-8-9894987-0-3

Publisher’s Book Summary: Anyone who’s had to put children to bed knows how unpredictable the routine of bedtime can be. Enter—Mrs. Gourd. When Mom finds herself at her wits’ end, Mrs. Gourd’s unexpected arrival changes the course of bedtime—in a good way. Taking charge in her persnickety, silly way, Mrs. Gourd wrangles in bedtime, leaving the reader amused, and best of all, those little ones drifting off into dreamland. When all else fails, it’s Mrs. Gourd to the rescue!

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

DISCLOSURE

This post is sponsored by Jody Bucher. The opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

6 Simple Steps to Creating Your Own Silly Character Presented by Mrs. Gourd (the master of disguise, surprise and children’s bedtime!)

Guest Post By Jody Bucher

Mrs. Gourd is the master of disguise and surprise! One of the most delightful things about her story is that her arrival wasn’t planned at all. She appeared completely unexpectedly in the middle of what I describe as “an exceptionally crazy bedtime.” Her arrival surprised everyone—including Mrs. Gourd herself!

While props can certainly add to the fun, you don’t need feather boas, fancy hats, or elaborate costumes to create your own unique character. Everything you need is already with you. Your imagination is your greatest tool, your creativity is your superpower, and a little bit of silliness can go a long way.

Ready to create a character all your own? Let’s get started!

Step 1. Open up your imagination big and wide!

Step 2. Create a unique accent (way of speaking). Practice reading the Mrs. Gourd book aloud using your accent.

Step 3: Scrunch your nose and press your lips together in a persnickety way. 

Step 4: Find a pair of costume glasses or borrow a pair (with permission). Place them at the tip of your nose and peer over them with your nose still scrunched for dramatic effect.

Step 5: Name your character! If you’re not Mrs. (or Mr.) Gourd, give your character a name. Have fun with it. Fruits and vegetables are not off-limits! The zanier, the better.

Step 6: Read Mrs. Gourd or any other story while in character. You can assemble an audience or spontaneously spring into your character to surprise and delight (or steer your audience in the right direction).

When everything seems a little crazy, digging deep into the treasures and gifts you have inside can bring about the most amazing things. The potential for fun is infinite.

Have fun!

Love,

Jody Bucher a.k.a. Mrs. Gourd

Learn more about Mrs. Gourd, a funny and heartwarming story about finding calm in the midst of chaos, embracing creativity, and creating meaningful family moments here: https://mrsgourdbooks.com/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Bucher (Levar) learned to improv while tap dancing in her grandparents’ kitchen as a child. She has loved writing for as long as she can remember, but her life experience as a mom led her to write this, her first book. A working mom of three (a daughter and twin boys), she has channeled her artistic and linguistic talents as a brand-builder, copywriter, and creative director but considers her children her greatest work of art.

To learn more, visit www.mrsgourdbooks.com.

Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

MEET THE ILLUSTRATORS

Giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE