How a Summer Night with my Grandchildren Became a Picture Book

How a Summer Night with My Grandchildren Became a Picture Book

Some of the best stories begin with a moment you didn't plan.

Last summer, my grandchildren came to visit Wildflower Prairie Farm. It was their first time experiencing fireflies — and watching them chase those tiny lights across the field, squealing with delight every time one flickered, I knew I was witnessing something I never wanted to forget.

That night stayed with me. And eventually, it became a book.

Goodnight, Fireflies is my newest picture book, written for children ages 2–6, and it's now available on Amazon. It's a bedtime story about the magic of summer nights, the wonder of small things, and the feeling every child deserves to carry into sleep — that they are safe, loved, and never alone.

The Illustration

When it came time to bring this story to life visually, I knew exactly who I wanted to call.

Cathy Morrison, who also illustrated my middle grade book Passing Notes, has a warmth and magic in her work that I knew was perfect for this story. She captured exactly what I hoped for — glowing fireflies, a sleepy child, and the gentle feeling of a summer night winding down. Working with her is always a joy.

Why This Story

As grandparents, parents, and caregivers, we know that bedtime can feel like the longest part of the day — for little ones and for us. But it's also one of the most tender. Those last few minutes before sleep are a chance to whisper something that matters.

That's what I wanted Goodnight, Fireflies to do. To slow everything down, just like that night on the farm did for me, and remind children that the world is beautiful and they are held.

What's Growing Next

This book is part of something larger that's unfolding around here.

I'm currently developing Wildflower Prairie Farm just outside Rochester, MN — and I'll be launching a separate website for that journey soon. The land is cleared, the seedlings are growing, and there's much more to come.

In the meantime, you can find my books, educational materials, and more right here at TammyWilsonAuthor.com.

Goodnight, Fireflies is available now in hardcover on Amazon. If you have a little one who loves summer nights, catching fireflies, or simply needs a gentle landing at bedtime — this one is for them.

Order Goodnight, Fireflies on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Night-Fireflies-Tammy-Wilson/dp/B0GYBZ6SXB