Rock a bye

Michael W. Smith recently launched Nurturing Steps, a new infant and toddler series of books and music.

Multiplatinum, three-time Grammy Award winning artist Michael W. Smith recently launched Nurturing Steps, a new infant and toddler series with a simple mission to provide parents and grandparents with music and books to enliven a young child’s journey with hope and faith through song and storytelling.

The first new album “Lullaby” and book, “Nighty Night and Good Night,” from Nurturing Steps was released in May through The Fuel Music and Zonderkidz respectfully.

These projects also marked the first-ever children’s album and book by Smith, each crafted in collaboration with renowned VeggieTales cocreator Mike Nawrocki.

For “Lullaby,” Smith arranged his worldwide hits like “Agnus Dei” and “Friends” along with new ballads “No More Crying,” “Sleep Tight” and others, and leads an audio bedtime drama for young children with the Nighty Night characters. The Nighty Nights also join Smith as his band, with “Bear” on guitar, “Lamby” on keys and “Sleepy Puppy” on upright base.

Meanwhile, even in the midst of his busy schedule, Smith makes time for his children and grandchildren and treasures the special moments he has to speak into their lives.

“I hope they see these books and this music as a gift to them, to remember that they are loved as they fall asleep every night,” he said.

For more information on Smith and Nurturing Steps, go to www.michaelwsmith.com and www. nurturingsteps.com.