Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chandra Lockett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am very happy being able to create stories. Not only do I get to create stories for my children but also get to connect with other children in the world. No, I don’t wonder about having a regular job. The job of being a stay-at-home mom that gets to homeschool her kids is a job I would never trade.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a wife, devoted mother of three, and the creative mind behind the heartwarming, award-winning children’s book series Oinkers and Bananas. My journey began with the joy of bedtime storytelling with my kids. My children wanted me to read a book that I had read many times before, and I decided I couldn’t read it one more time. So, they gave me a bedtime challenge. They asked me to create a story on the fly. I asked what it was supposed to include, and they responded, “a pig and a monkey”. I thought I would be creative and use a recent lesson that my kids had learned from and see if they could figure it out. This is how Oinkers and Bananas was created.

Imagine reading a story about a pig named Bananas and a monkey named Oinkers, two best friends learning life lessons while also learning how to be a friend. Key lessons learned in the award-winning series are:
What’s in a name? – teaches that you are not different but unique and that your “differences” are your superpowers
Bubble Trouble – teaches what happens when you don’t follow instructions
Let’s Eat Cake – teaches we all need moderation
You Can’t Catch Me – teaches that everyone has a different perspective and all of them are needed.

The adventures of Oinkers and Bananas are created to reach a child where they are and introduce to some and expound for others lessons that are needed for life. I try and make it easily digestible, so they are able to explain it to others as well as apply it to their daily lives. The Mission of the company is that the adventures of Oinkers and Bananas helps parents encourage and show their children how special they are and to help explain the life lessons that their children may encounter.

I believe in the magic of storytelling to instill confidence and kindness in young hearts. My ultimate wish is for every reader to feel wonderfully made by GOD, embracing their individuality with pride and understanding the profound love that surrounds them. Remembering that they were created on purpose and that their “differences” are what make them unique. Understanding that there was only one of them created and the best person to be is themselves. The “differences” are actually their superpowers.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was that I can do everything by myself. As an independent only child, I was used to handling everything by myself. Unfortunately, I learned that was the farthest thing from the truth when I entered the author world. I realized I could write the book, but I needed a team to help me complete it. There are so many parts to a completed book: proofreader, editor, book layout, illustrator, and copywriting. No matter how I may have felt I got a quick wakeup call. To do life we need people. We all need community and people in our life that encourages us to be better.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to publish all the books in the series for my children. I want them to have a complete set so they can always look back at what we did together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oinkersandbananas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oinkersandbananasseries?igsh=emtnMXExZG9xanlw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OinkersandBananas?mibextid=ZbWkwl