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
Apr 22, 2008
My Father's Dragon - An Epic Adventure
My Father's Dragon is the first book in a trilogy written by Ruth Stiles Gannett back in the late 1940's and early 1950's. It tells the tale of Elmer Elevator, a smart and sensitive boy, and his quest to help rescue a young dragon on Wild Island. Elmer is first visited by an old alley cat who tells him of the dragon's plight and convinces him to use logic and creativity to help free the dragon from slavery. Elmer is told to pack some very specific things such as... " chewing gum, two dozen pink lollipops, a package of rubber
bands, black rubber boots, a compass, a tooth brush and a tube of tooth
paste..." as well as several other items that will help him along the way.
Children will really be surprised to discover the creative ways that Elmer uses the items in his knapsack to get out of some tricky situations!
With its richly descriptive text, engaging drawings and humor these stories are truly hard to put down. Detailed maps allow the reader to follow Elmer to his many destinations (Tangerina, Popsicornia & Nevergreen City).
Despite being written over 50 years ago, these stories are fresh, exciting and just one or two chapters are a perfect bedtime treat.
posted in: We Recommend
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
Jan 01, 2008
Our First Partners in Play: Portsmouth Regional Maternal Child Services
As part of our 30th Birthday Year celebration, G.Willikers! Toy Shop is introducing a new local initiative: "Partners in Play." Each month we're partnering with our Seacoast neighbors to celebrate and support kids and families.
We will be featuring them in our storefront window and we'll display information about them at our counter so you can appreciate many of the great things that are available for children and families in our community.
Our first ever Partner in Play is Portsmouth Regional Maternal Child Services.
About Portsmouth Regional Maternal Child Services
Portsmouth Regional Hospital Maternal Child Services offers ongoing support for moms and families. To learn more about Portsmouth Regional Maternal Child Services, visit their website at www.portsmouthhospital.com
posted in: Partners in Play
Dec 13, 2007
G.Willikers! is on YouTube
Take a walk around the store as we share our favorite toys and games for the holidays with Debbie Brememan from Runway Ready at seacoastonline.com.
posted in: What's New
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.
