Mrs. Gourd Awareness Tour is presented in partnership* with Jody Bucher and The Children’s Book Review.
Get ready for a laugh-out-loud bedtime adventure in Mrs. Gourd by Jody Bucher, where one unforgettable visitor turns nighttime chaos into sweet dreams.
When bedtime spirals into chaos, help arrives from the most unexpected place. In Mrs. Gourd, Jody Bucher introduces a delightfully quirky character who swoops in with stories, charm, and just enough authority to turn restless children into sleepy dreamers. Filled with playful rhymes, lively illustrations, and plenty of humor, this bedtime picture book is sure to resonate with both little listeners and the grown-ups who tuck them in each night.
With just the right balance of silliness and sternness, Mrs. Gourd is like Mary Poppins made modern, and readers will enjoy falling under her spell as much as the children in the story do.
—The Children’s Book Review
Readers who join us on this virtual book tour can enter for a chance to win one of five signed paperback copies of Mrs. Gourd by Jody Bucher. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed hardcover copy with a personal note from the author, two pairs of Mrs. Gourd dress-up glasses, a gingham check picnic blanket inspired by the story, and a Jellycat Bashful Toffee Puppy stuffed animal. Don’t miss your chance to bring a little Mrs. Gourd magic home—enter below!
Mrs. Gourd
Virtual Tour Dates
| Monday, June 15, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book List featuring Mrs. Gourd |
| Tuesday, June 16, 2026 Me Two Books Author Interview with Jody Bucher |
| Wednesday, June 17, 2026 The Starlit Path Instagram Reel about Mrs. Gourd |
| Thursday, June 18, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Friday, June 19, 2026 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Monday, June 22, 2026 Lisa’s Reading Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Thursday, June 25, 2026 @bored_military_wife Instagram Post about Mrs. Gourd |
| Friday, June 26, 2026 Little Free Library Mystery Network Instagram Post about Mrs. Gourd |
| Monday, June 29, 2026 @avainbookland Instagram Post about Mrs. Gourd |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2026 @meghenslittlelibrary Instagram Post about Mrs. Gourd |
| Wednesday, July 1, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about Mrs. Gourd |
| Thursday, July 2, 2026 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Friday, July 3, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Monday, July 6, 2026 @MaryLanniReads Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Tuesday, July 7, 2026 @thechildrensbookreview Instagram Reel of Mrs. Gourd |
| Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Sybrina’s Book Blog Guest Post about Mrs. Gourd |
| Thursday, July 9, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Jody Bucher |
| Friday, July 10, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on Mrs. Gourd |
| Monday, July 13, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Mrs. Gourd |
| Tuesday, July 14, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Author Interview with Jody Bucher |
Mrs. Gourd Book Giveaway
About the Book
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!
Buy the Book
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.
One of the most memorable gifts she has received was from her mother, who discovered a play she had written for an elementary school project.
The three little ones who inspired this book used the original manuscript to perform the play that year as a Christmas gift. Jody hopes Mrs. Gourd will lead the reader to their own discoveries and inspire others to find beauty and opportunity in the midst of life’s chaos.
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Jody currently calls Richmond, Virginia, home with her husband, three children, two golden doodles, and Mrs. Gourd.
To learn more, visit www.mrsgourdbooks.com.
About the Illustrators
Monica Violet Joy is renowned for writing, creating, developing, and producing hits: Blues Clues, Bubble Guppies, CoComelon, Future Chicken, Go Dog Go!, Kamp Koral, SpongeBob SquarePants, Team Umizoomi, Wallykazam, Nimona, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, Ice Age V, and The Peanuts Movie. Her work has received Academy Awards, Annie Awards, and Women of Inspiration Awards.
Asha Butler is an acclaimed artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Asha holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Digital Animation from Kennesaw State University. She is an accomplished children’s book illustrator and animator.
Thanks for following along with us on Jody Bucher’s Mrs. Gourd awareness tour!
14 Comments
I am excited to win, because the whole prize package is adorable. I don’t have children of my own, yet, but I have young nieces and nephews, that would love it, when they visit.
This looks fun!
I’d love to win this wonderful book for my grandson!
looks cute
Sounds lovely,
This book is delightful, special and a real treasure to enjoy daily.
I would love to win this for my daughter.
love to win this book to share with my grandson. He’d love the plush dog, if it’s dog themed he’s all about it. thanks
Very good book, thanks!
I am excited to share with the neighborhood kids who come to our community lending library.
Sounds like a fun book to read.
I want to win this one for the kids they would so enjoy this one.
Oh I have three Grands that would love to read this book!
thanks for ths chance!
I would love to win this book for my grand-daughter who does not ever want to go to sleep when its time to do so!