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Posts Tagged ‘storytelling’

Once Upon a Time

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Last week was a rather exciting week! And this week is starting out a little crazy too. Today we released the newest Ellie Bellie Kids catalog. I’m quite proud of it. We had such an amazing time making it. The kids were fantastic and had just as much fun as they appeared to have. Plus, I rather enjoy the powerful message: Just go play!

Want to see it? Huh? Huh? Whaddaya say boss? Whaddaya say? (I’m just like that little dog in the cartoon jumping up and down next to the big bulldog driving him nuts aren’t I?) To see a copy for yourself, you can either visit the EBK homepage to download an interactive pdf or you can visit the facebook fan page to view the album. You won’t get the interactive links but at least you’ll get to see it.

In the interactive version of the catalog, you’ll find a link to a short film we released on Friday called Once Upon a Time. Remember X Marks the Spot? Well it’s like that. Just sans robots..and buried treasure…and the beach. But you know, other than those few minor details…

But enough rambling. Let’s get on with the show! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I am proud to introduce Once Upon a Time *cue applause light*

 

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Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 2 Comments »



Anorak Magazine!

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

The new issue of Anorak Magazine just arrived! And it’s all about the great Outdoors.

 

 

In it, you’ll find a contribution from yours truly. (SQUEE!) We had some fun with Capture the Flag. The kids even made their own flags for it.

Here’s a flip through peek at the issue:

 

 

You can find it in select Barnes & Noble bookstores here in the United States. But you can also order a copy from the Anorak shop. That’s how we get ours and it’s surprisingly fast delivery. So make sure you check it out. It truly is my favorite kid magazine on the market.

What makes it my favorite? It’s playful, approachable, and smart. It cleverly introduces kids to design, aesthetics, humor, original storytelling and activities that are just plain fun!

 

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Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 2 Comments »



Links You’ll Want to Bookmark

Friday, January 7th, 2011

 

Today on Twitter, some friends* sent me links that deserve, nay, begged to be passed on. Bookmark them, save them in your tabs, do whatever works for you, but set aside some time tonight to read them.

The first is a New York Times article about the movement to restore play. It’s given me a great deal of hope for the future and is a must read for any family.

Next up is a piece inhabitots did on Digital Story Telling. You know how I love some good storytelling exercises. And this is especially timely as my daughter dreams of producing a craft show for kids.

And last up is a piece about how children give parents the power to change. I found it inspiring and loved the positive view of the parent/child dynamic.

Before I go, I want to leave you with this observation: last night, one of the news programs dedicated an episode to celebrity diets, and today Gywneth’s Goop arrived in my inbox praising a cleanse/detoxifying diet for the new year.

This year, I say we make a resolution to commit to cleanse and detoxify something that has a real and meaningful impact on our future—our children’s play.

 

*A very special thank you to Erica and Molly for the links.

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Posted in News | 2 Comments »



A Look Inside

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Haven’t had a chance to click through the Science Issue yet? Here’s a peek at what’s inside: a Fox’s salute to Science!

Join Mr Fox from the Fox and the Polar Bear tales as he makes a scientific breakthrough. What could it be? …

 

Culture has it’s place, but as far as Mr Fox’s concerned, ‘that place’ is firmly behind that of science!

 

 

What happens next? Catch the rest of Mr Fox’s story inside and have your child decide what Mr Fox should discover next!

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Posted in Science Fun | No Comments »



Teaching Kids About Weather

Monday, November 15th, 2010

When I ran across the work of illustrator Emmeline Pidgen, I knew I had to share it with you. Below are pages from a children’s book about weather she created.

 


 

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Posted in Guest Posts, Science Fun | 4 Comments »



Flashback Week: Halloween

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Join us this week on Classic Play! as we invite our friends to share their childhood memories of Halloweens past through stories, pictures, laughs and good-natured fun. It also might shed some light on why this dressing up and trick-or-treating thing is such a beloved American tradition. Hint: It’s not just the free candy. Although that certainly doesn’t hurt, now does it?

 

Being the Not-Me

One fall afternoon when I was three, my mother woke me from an afternoon nap. She held up a full gingham skirt and wide-brimmed straw hat I’d never seen before, then said it was time to get dressed. I was going to a neighbor’s Halloween party, she told me.

 

 

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Posted in Guest Posts, Ideas and Inspiration | 2 Comments »



Storytellers Week: Me’ Story

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Yesterday I threw down the gauntlet. And it broke. Which means I had to get the broom and clean it up. Ugh. Such a mess.

But now that everything’s cleaned up, I’m ready to get on with my story. The story was created using the storyboard I talked about yesterday. So without further ado, I give you:

 

The Case of the Missing Beach Ball (more…)

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Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 1 Comment »



Storytellers Week: Storyboard Mix Up Challenge

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

 

My husband is a gifted storyteller.

About a year ago, he created a fictional character. That character went on to become the hero in a series of bedtime stories for our children. The children loved the stories from the beginning and now, there isn’t a night that goes by without a request for one of them. I’ll sit in the room as he spins one of these tales, finding myself just as amused and entertained as the kids. It amazes me how he makes it all seem so effortless. Oh, how I envy that.
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Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 6 Comments »