When you’re on live TV and your guests are waterskiing squirrels and skateboarding bulldogs, you know life doesn’t follow a script.

Photo by: Nicole Hart Photography

About Janice Bangs

A Little Bit About Me

I’ve loved stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I read by flashlight under the covers, and my very first job was shelving books as a library page—clearly an early sign of where things were headed.

That love of storytelling turned into a 30-year career in television, where I produced and hosted segments, interviewed bestselling authors, and learned how powerful a good story can be—especially when it sparks curiosity.

Raising kids, however, is a story with no commercial breaks.

When my children were little, their thirst for new stories was endless. Our best conversations happened at bedtime, tucked in with a book—when questions about the world felt big and exciting instead of confusing. I found myself wanting books that were playful, thoughtful, and rooted in real science… the kind of stories that made learning feel like an adventure instead of a lesson.

How Mama Duck Came to Be

Before screens became a welcome distraction on long drives, one of those trips—with two kids in the backseat clamoring for a story—was where Mama Duck first hatched into existence.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, it was easy to draw from the natural world around us. I also knew what Sophie and Blake loved: repetition, a steady rhythm, and just enough excitement to keep them listening and guessing what was coming next.

That’s how Mama Duck’s Lost Duckling took shape. I wanted to create a story that felt fun and surprising, while quietly introducing real animal science in a way kids could understand and enjoy. Through counting, repetition, and a cast of memorable creatures, Mama Duck’s journey invites young readers to explore egg-laying animals—and encourages grown-ups to join in the discovery, too.

What I Create

I write children’s stories that blend humor, heart, and real science. My books are designed for curious kids and the adults who read with them—stories that invite laughter, questions, and learning together. Each book includes Bonus Discovery Pages, so families can keep exploring long after the last page is turned.

Through storytelling, free creative activities, and community events, my goal is to help children fall in love with animals, nature, and the world around them—while reminding parents that learning doesn’t have to feel like work.

A Fun Fact (or Two)

#2

I knew which egg-laying animals I wanted to use in Mama Duck’s story, but I was still delighted by how surprised kids are to learn that alligators, turtles, and even snakes hatch from eggs—just like ducks.

#3

Repetition isn’t just comforting for young readers—it’s how they learn. Animals rely on patterns and instincts, and kids love routines and knowing what comes next. That’s why counting and familiar rhythms play such a big role in Mama Duck’s story.

#1

Working in television taught me one important lesson: animals always steal the show. Whether it was wrangling reptiles, working with wildlife experts, or surviving unexpected on-air moments, I’ve always admired the magic, resilience, and surprises animals bring into our lives.

Have questions? Want to share a funny animal story?

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Whether it’s about the book, a school visit, or a possible collaboration, Janice would love to hear from you—and personally responds within a week.

CONTACT JANICE

Acknowledgements

Write some thank you’s and acknowledgments here.

NAME - Thank you for…