Did you love baton when you were growing up? I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Throwback Thursday - Baton
Did you love baton when you were growing up? I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Did You Know Tuesday: Play-Doh
Play-Doh was invented in the 1930's by Noah McVicker in Cincinnati. He worked for Kroger to invent a product that was originally marketed as wallpaper cleaner. Noah McVicker worked with his nephew, Joe McVicker, to market this product. The early product was off white and came in a 1.5 pound package.
In the 1950's everything changed when children in a nursery school discovered how much fun Play-Doh was to play with - as modeling clay. In 1956 the McVickers formed the Rainbow Crafts Company. The early working name for this toy was Kutol’s Rainbow Modeling Compound. Thankfully, it was renamed with something cute and catchy: Play-Doh.
By 1957 Play-Doh was made in three primary colors. It was originally sold in one gallon cans and purchased for school use. Play-Doh was sold at Macy's and Marshall Fields. Play-Doh commercials appeared on popular children's shows, including Captain Kangaroo.
Pictured below, a mid-1950's advertisement:
In the 1960's, Play-Doh was purchased by General Mills and manufactured for Kenner. The Play-Doh brand expanded with toys as well as modeling dough. I had one of the Fun Factory sets and loved it. This ad is from 1968:
The original Play-Doh mascot was Play-Doh Pete, a little boy in a beret. Over the years the mascot changed, and he eventually wore a baseball cap.
This 1970's ad gives another glimpse at retro toy marketing:
Play-Doh is now made by Hasbro. It is still loved by children, and over 100 million cans are sold yearly. This popular crafting toy even has its own special day - September 16.
Did you love Play-Doh as a child? Any retro Play-Doh memories to share? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Let's Connect Via Social Media!
Just a short and sweet note. I would love to connect with YOU via social media:
Facebook page - BirdhouseBooks
Twitter - @birdhousebooks
Pinterest - BirdhouseBooks
Store newsletter - eBay store newsletter, birdhouse-in-your-soul
Blog newsletter - look at the right hand side of this screen and scroll down for "Follow By Email." Voila!
I'm very active at these sites and love to chat with book friends, blog friends, and anyone who loves retro/vintage!
Book Review and Giveaway - Inspector Dewey by Kristen Heimerl
My name is Dewey--Inspector Dewey.
I live in the big green house on Hampshire Avenue with my family: Thumper, Lily, and Anna. I am the Big Cat—responsible for keeping everyone safe and in order. I do this quite well, in spite of the fact that managing my family is like, well, herding cats!
Mostly our life is peaceful. But one night it wasn’t. That was the night the bad guy showed up on our block. Of course, I knew exactly how to outsmart the outlaw, but—miserable mullet!—would Anna and the police understand my instructions?
To find out how the adventure ended, you’ll have to read my book. But I’ll give you a hint: there’s a reason I’m called Inspector Dewey.
Fifty percent of the profits from the sale of this book will fund veterinary care for pets whose families are in financial need, so that the animals can remain in their homes and out of the shelter system.
BECAUSE PETS BELONG WITH THEIR PEOPLE™
To learn more, visit threenorwegians.comBuy the book: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
My Review:
Inspector Dewey is a big, beautiful picture book that is sure to delight children who love cats.
This book tells the story of how Dewey (also known as Inspector Dewey) stops a would-be robbery with the help of his cat friends Thumper and Lily, and his person, Anna.
The book is told in Dewey's voice and he has an engaging tone. I must say that Dewey is a born storyteller! I can imagine this book as a read aloud. Children will sit on the edge of their seats waiting to hear what happens next in this fun and suspenseful story.
The book design and illustrations are beautiful. They truly catch the nature of cats. Each cat depicted has a different personality, seen not only in the book's text, but in the illustrations as well.
I recommend this book highly for preschool children. It would be a great addition to a child's book collection or to a school library.
Author's Bio:
Kristen Heimerl
Marketing Officer, Strategy Expert, Innovator and Brand Builder, Kristen’s business career spans 20+ years serving the biggest brands in industry and the biggest hearts of start-ups and entrepreneurs. Kristen revels in bringing compelling products and services to life and helping leaders and individuals with big dreams realize their big goals.
Kristen’s life joys include her 2+ year obsession creating the most beautiful self-published picture book possible, the breathtaking forests and lakes of her Minnesota birthplace, the family that really does love her no matter what, and her three magnificent Norwegian Forest Cats who together, with Kristen, helped catch the bad guy on their block that inspired her upcoming book (stake out and high speed chase included!)
She holds a master of science in eCommerce from Carnegie Mellon University, an MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, and a BA from the University of St. Thomas. As the great transformer in her life, Kristen supports others’ education and literacy as an adjunct professor of business and strategy and, more recently, through her children’s book, Inspector Dewey (Available September 2015).
Kristen’s site for her work “Inspector Dewey” will be premiering on May 31st, 2015. In addition, you can read more about Kristen’s work at threenorwegians.com, also live on May 31st.
Connect with Kristen:
Giveaway:
Prizes:
1) 1 of 10 copies of Inspector Dewey (International) or
2) 1 of (4) $20 Amazon gift cards (international) or
3) 5 books to the literacy non profit, library or school of your choice (USA only) or
4) $100 payable for vet visit for family/pet in need (USA only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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