Get Off The Bench & Play!

On this episode, I welcome Andrea Goldner, affectionately known as Nanni Andi, to talk about her picture book Nanni Andi and Our Adventure to All Friends Park and her lifelong work as a nanny. Andrea shares how, after raising her own kids, she went "back" into childcare because it's what she truly loves and does best. Calling herself a "new wave Mary Poppins," she explains why reading to children from newborn age is so powerful: it builds vocabulary, confidence, and, most importantly, a deep emotional bond.

Andrea describes how her stories prepare kids for real-world experiences—like going to the park, zoo, or museum—so that when they finally get there, it's not scary or overwhelming. Through Nanni Andi, kids already "know" the swings, the slide, or the elephant at the zoo. She's passionate about getting caregivers off the bench (and off their phones) to actually play, push the swings, catch kids at the bottom of the slide, and read together. That's also why she's created matching coloring books—so children can "re-create" their own day at the park and reinforce what they've read.

Andrea talks about the joy of walking up to a house and seeing kids waiting excitedly in the window, the respect that comes from treating children as real partners, and how she's now training other nannies and coaching families on how to hire and support great caregivers.

In the second half of the show, I'm joined by Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G) to chat about his picture book How Many Squirrels Are in the World?, his bilingual music, love of nature, and his mission to get families off screens and back into the real world—together.