Feb 01, 2010
February Games!
Let the Games begin! February is all about games at G.Willikers! The winter months bring us indoors, and what better way to have fun then playing games?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays @ Breaking New Grounds!
G.Willikers is partnering with Breaking New Grounds for their February Game Nights! Every Tuesday and Wednesday evening starting at 5:00, stop by Breaking New Grounds and enjoy a cup of coffee, hot chocolate and a treat while you play games for all ages DONATED by G.Willikers!
Eat Drink and Play Locally!
Saturday, February 20th 2:00-4:00
G.Willikers and the Portsmouth Public Library will be hosting a game day in the library children's room. These events have become very popular! Join G.Willikers! staff and play games for all ages!
February School Vacations!
From February 13th -28th G.willikers! will have games out for all ages to play! Come Check out Doodle Dice, Banangrams, Speed Stackers and many more!
games
posted in: Local Events
Apr 29, 2009
Jazzmouth Comes to G.Willikers!
Bruce Pingree reads poetry at G.Willikers!On Saturday, April 18th jazz and poetry collided at G.Willikers! Toy Shop as part of the city's Jazzmouth festival.
Local jazz master Larry Simon and friends entertained families with a live, interactive performance. Guest readers Bruce Pingree and Ayanna Gallant captured the perfect blend of prose and personality with rhythmic recitals for a one of a kind show.
Pint sized percussionsChildren were encouraged to keep the beat with egg-shaped maracas and a variety of drums and all guests received a free copy of the book JAZZ ABZ (generously provided by the NH Humanities Council).
It was the perfect family friendly kick-off to what has become one of the premier musical events in the seacoast....JAZZMOUTH!
Larry Simon on guitar.
posted in: Local Events
Mar 06, 2009
G.Willikers! Welcomes Silhouette Artist Clay Rice
Silhouette: Clay Rice G.Willikers! Toy Shop is thrilled to welcome nationally known silhouette artist Clay Rice to Portsmouth on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd. Mr. Rice will be creating heirloom silhouettes of your child or family from 10 - 6pm by appointment only.
The Lonely Shadow
The Lonely Shadow is the story of a shadow in search of someone who connects with him. A story of friendship and discovery, Mr. Rice's first book is beautifully illustrated in the style that has made him one of the premier artists in his field, the silhouette. SEE VIDEO
With a flash of scissors Clay Rice is able to capture a silhouette portrait in a matter of moments. It is quite literally, performance art. Clay follows the contours of his subject as if the movement of his eyes is connected to his hands. In about a minute a featureless sheet of paper takes on the uniqueness of the individual it represents. Clay truly provides a gift of rare artistry in an uncommon craft.
posted in: Local Events
Mar 03, 2009
Tuesday Play Days
It's as tall as me!
Our first Play Day of 2009 was a huge success as you can see by the HUGE tower 
Getting biggerbuilt by some of our new friends. Today we had big buckets full of Keva blocks (made in the USA) and Wedgits ( one of the most intriguing construction sets we've ever offered ). Every Tuesday from 10am -12pm we bring out a few of our favorite playthings, spread them out on the rug and build.
Keva Blocks are all the same size, shaped like small planks and are made of smooth maple. You build structures simply by stacking the planks in any number of ways, creating various geometric shapes but also, suprisingly, structures with curves and rounded edges. Our Play Day visitors all knew what to do with these cool blocks right away without much direction.
Keva spiral
Check out the world record Keva tower.
Stop by and give them a try!
posted in: Local Events
Aug 23, 2008
2008 Fairy House Tour
Brush off your wings and take flight for the 4th annual Fairy House Tour! G.Willikers is busy getting ready for this wonderful weekend of imagination and fairy house building!
This is one of the most creative fundraising events we have been a part of and it just keeps building each year! Inspired by Lee, NH author/illustrator Tracy Kane's Fairy House Book Series, this event brings thousands to Portsmouth's South End. The Friends of The South End have done an incredible job putting together this event that benefits many of Portsmouth's most cherished historic treasures.
You can now purchase admission buttons at G.Willikers, check out Tracy Kane's Fairy House Books, and on Sept. 16th, preview fairy houses in our storefront window!
posted in: Local Events
Aug 21, 2008
Seacoast Buy Local Cruise
Buy Local Cruise
Last Tuesday night, my brother and I attended the Seacoast Buy Local Cruise aboard the Thomas Laighton. The skies cleared making for a perfect night to explore the Portsmouth Harbor.
We joined over 100 fellow business owners for a fabulous evening of food, music and mingling. We had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new business owners.
It was a comfortable, casual night that lent itself to easy conversation and the sharing of stories, ideas and potential future collaboration. The day to day tasks of running a business can keep you from stepping outside your own four walls, so this evening was a particularly great opportunity to broaden our horizons!
Thank you to the folks at Seacoast Local who worked so hard and enthusiastically to make this a successful night. Thank you to the generosity of the local restaurants who donated the delicious appetizers, and to our fellow business owners who took the time to come out and remind us all what a great community the Seacoast is to do business in!
posted in: Local Events
Jun 17, 2008
Local Illustrator Signs Newly Released Book: "Lady Liberty• A Biogrqphy"
G.Willikers! Toy Shop is very excited to welcome back Maine author/illustrator Matt Tavares to sign his newly illustrated book, Lady Liberty• A Biography.
"A powerfully moving, authentic portrait of the Statue of Liberty, told through the eyes of those who created her and illustrated in glorious detail."
This book will be a keepsake in my family library, and should certainly grace the shelves of classrooms, libraries and homes throughout our country. It shares a slice of our history in a way that brings you closer to the real people behind this amazing statue and symbol. It tells the story of the conception, construction and realization of Lady Liberty in an honest, accurate and personal way that will surely engage readers young and old.
posted in: Local Events
Jun 14, 2008
Tractor Mac Visits G.Willikers! Toy Shop
The sun was out, the temperatures were in the 80’s and Pro Portsmouth celebrated Market Square Day’s 31st anniversary in style.
The annual street festival brings tens of thousands of visitors each year to Portsmouth, NH to discover some of the sights, sounds and tastes of our beautiful downtown. On Market St., G.Willikers! Toy Shop joined in the fun by welcoming noted children’s book author/illustrator Billy Steers and his special friend, Tractor Mac.
A Real Working Tractor
Tractor Mac is a hard working 1948 Farmall cub tractor that lives with Billy and his family in Roxbury, CT. Interest in the Tractor Mac books was brisk all day as curious festival goers wanted their picture taken with the bright red tractor. Those who bought any one of the six titles were treated to signed copies complete with an original drawing on the title page.
Tractor Mac Titles
Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm
Tractor Mac Learns to Fly
Tractor Mac You're a Winner
Tractor Mac Builds a Barn
Tractor Mac Harvest Time
Tractor Mac Saves Christmas
We’d like to thank Billy and his family for sharing their time with us and allowing so many children (and some adults) to sit on Tractor Mac and get to know his many adventures. We hope he’ll consider coming back for next year’s Market Square Day! See more photos.
Check out Tractor Mac's Fun Pages!
posted in: Local Events
May 05, 2008
Children's Day 2008 Cancelled, But the Fun Continues at G.Willikers!
Portsmouth, NH Children’s Day 2008 will down in history as the first time this family-friendly event had to be cancelled. The heavy rains Sunday morning prevented Pro Portsmouth from being able to safely host this year, but clearing skies in the afternoon saw many hundreds of visitors hoping to still have some fun.
G.Willikers! Toy Store and other downtown businesses were able to carry on and bring smiles to a lot of children. Cookie Mouse (the star of the book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie") was on hand to welcome visitors to the store and hand out cookies. Children were also treated to readings of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” and those adventurous enough could even have their nose painted like a cute little mouse.
(See photos of the event)
One customer was overheard to say “I wasn’t sure what we’d be able to do today, I’m just happy to find some of the activities still going on.” Others were busy using their Children’s Day maps like a treasure map, hunting for and planning their next stop. All in all, parents and children alike took things in stride.
We’d like to thank Pro Portsmouth for all the effort they put in coordinating such a large event. Even though Mother Nature didn’t cooperate this year, we are indebted to Barbara Massar and everyone at Pro Portsmouth for bringing so many wonderful events to downtown Portsmouth. This city is a very special place, in part do to their vision and commitment.
Cross your fingers that next year on the first Sunday in May we’ll have bright skies and lots of fun!
posted in: Local Events
Feb 25, 2008
G.Willikers! and Portsmouth Public Library host Game Day
The Portsmouth Public Library played host to G.Willikers! Toy Shop’s first ever Game Day on Saturday, Feb. 23rd.
We brought (and then donated) over a dozen of our favorite games to the Children’s Room and taught a large crowd of kids and families how to play. Titles like Mystery Garden and Zingo were enjoyed most by 3 & 4 year olds, while Doodle Dice was the runaway favorite of kids in the 5-8 age range. Bananagrams, Ruckus and Rush Hour were favored by older children. Click here for photos from the event.
A few of the kids had played these games before and were eager to show their friends or mom & dad how to play. It’s especially fun to watch the pride of a child who can teach his parents something new!
We were also very lucky to have Patti Marsh, creator of the board game Fun Meal Caper, on hand to demonstrate her game to a very enthusiastic group. Patti invented the game 25 years ago but shelved it after Parker Brothers turned it down (they were no longer accepting ideas from independent developers). Judging from the response here at the library she made a smart decision to bring it back this year!
We hope to participate in more of these events and look forward to collaborating with the Portsmouth Public Library again in the near future.
posted in: Local Events
G.Willikers! blog is the place for parents and kids to go for all the latest news and events happening at our toy store in Portsmouth, NH and around the Seacoast area.
