Tag: Christmas
Same beginning, one line, many different stories. Seventeen UK parent bloggers took the challenge to ‘tell the story’ their way. This is our gift to the children around the world: beautiful stories with illustrations from our own kids, making it a perfect bedtime storybook.
By creating this book called ‘Once upon a time’ we are fundraising for Save the Children. The profit of all book sales will be donated to the charity.
Thank you to all parent bloggers who took part in this story book for their time, creativity and empathy! Together we made it happen!
Now it’s onto you! We are raising money for those kids, born with the challenge to survive. Let’s help them write a better story of their life, one that will make them smile!
Besides, the book is funny and colourfil, making it the perfect Christmas gift for a child. You can view and purchase the book HERE.
‘Save the Children works in more than 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential.’
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December 4, 2011
For my daughter Christmas came earlier this year. She received a wonderful personalised book from Unique Editions. Such a surprise for her to grab the book in her little hands, and to see her image printed on the book cover! It was absolutely magical moment; she was wordless and just screaming out of joy, pointing out herself and getting more and more impatient to open the book and see what’s on the next page.
Her curiosity and excitement escalated even further when she realised the whole The Magical Journey (that’s the name of the book) was about her. Being nearly 4-year old she can easily find her name written in a text, so guessing that she is actually the hero in the story made her grab my hand and ask me to read it that very moment!
The original text in French is really a beautifully written poem. It’s written by Jorge Semprun, a very famous international author and film writer. My daughter sank herself into the magical journey, but I have to confess, I immersed myself into the story, too. The concept grabbed me – making books with beautiful stories where the children are in the centre to not only make them feel flattered, but to also encourage their imagination and self-confidence.
And here is the other story – that of Stephanie and Megan who founded the Unique Editions company. This is a story of two friends, Stephanie and Megan, one French and one South African, who met in Hamburg. When theirs kids turned 5, they decided to create the perfect book for them. Stories, personalised, with the photo, featuring not only the child, but the whole family or anyone close to the child. While Stephanie has all the good taste for beautiful French art, Megan brought all the ideas for the stories – which, from what I can see, are pretty dynamic and adventurous.
The idea behind our books isnot less powerful: to encourage children to enjoy reading. All their books focus on capturing young readers, by bringing them closer to the story. This we do in different ways relevant for the different age levels.
They’ve been selling books in France since 2007, and just hitting the UK market, which is just great if you’d like to make your child happy as mine (still enough time for Christmas).
Just ‘whisper’ the magic words GKXMAS2011 at checkout before the end of the year for your special 15% discount! Merry Christmas! Lot’s of different stroies for each age group, so I’m sure you’ll find what you are looking for.
And thank you, Stephanie and Megan elves for the lovely gift you made to my daughter, and to me – the opportunity to daydream!
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November 19, 2011
I am planning a fundraising campaign for Save the Children called ‘Tell it your way’. The plan is to publish a book with children’s bedtime stories written by creative parents that blog – in aid for the Save the Children charity.
So, we give participating bloggers same story line, which is ‘Once upon a time…’ (so we really give you the freedom to be as creative as you want) and we ask you to write a short story aimed at small kids as well as an image of a drawing you or your kids make, or simply a photo you take to support your story.
I will then collate all your unique creative stories and images, and I will be designing them into a children book (using the Blurb book-making and book-selling platform). Once the book is ready and goes life, I will share the link with you so you can buy it as a gift or for yourselves, share it, recommend it to friends, and generally spread-the-word for the campaign and the book, so we raise as much money for Save the Children, as possible. Hope you agree it’s all for a great cause, and hopefully the book will make a wonderful Christmas gift. 100% of all money raised will be sent on a monthly basis to Save the Children UK.
So, the benefit for you as a participating blogger? Apart from making good to kids born in poverty and challenged to survive, your story will also help you raise your profile and get great publicity! All bloggers will be introduced by a paragraph about the blog, your photo and link to the blog.
Here is the creative concept and how I came up with the children story book:
‘Once upon a time, I was born and challenged… challenged to survive.
I’ve got a story, which is different to yours. Although, it is similar to the million children around me, who were born with the same challenge. It’s not easy to keep on telling my story, to keep on living it.
Would you help writing a better one for me? A story of a better life.
A story with a different ending, despite having the same beginning.’
The deadline for all stories and images is 20th November, so we can make it happen in time for Christmas. However, please let me know if you are interested asap, so I can sign you in for the book.
To summarise, what I’d need from you is:
- Creative children (bedtime) story around 300-350 words (or 1,500 characters)
- Image to support your story, ideally something you make with your kids and take a photo of
- Your details: your name, blog name, blog link, your photo and a short description about your blog
Let’s collaborate in an effort to change the story of those kids, born with the challenge to survive, and help them write together a better story of their life, one that will make them smile. Now it’s onto you. Please email me asap, if interested.
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November 7, 2011
The WINNER of our December Christmas Craft Competition is Michaela, 5-years old from Manchester!
With some help from mummy and dady she has made some fabulous Christmas tree decoration from simple and all eco-friendly ingredients like flour, salt and water.
She wins a gorgeous wooden toy – just in time for Christmas! Congratulations!
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December 14, 2009
Westfield Shopping Centre, London
Kids can enter a winter wonderland at the Santa’s grotto at Westfield Shopping Centre over Christmas 2009, when the popular Wish Kingdom returns once more. With amazing colour displays and 3D special effects, the Santa’s grotto at Westfield offers an unusual festive family experience that’s bound to be popular with kids. Santa’s Wish Kingdom can be found in the Atrium of the shopping centre amid all the Christmas decorations, lights and Swiss chalets. As if coming face to face with Father Christmas himself isn’t enough, the Santa’s grotto at Westfield also features reindeers, elves and a wish finder fairy. Children can make and catch their own wishes at the grotto, and discover more about the world of The Reindeer that Couldn’t Fly.
When? 14th November 2009 to 23rd December 2009
How much? Free
How to book: http://uk.westfield.com/london
Canary Wharf, London
This Santa’s grotto is packed with activities. Kids can take part in events all over Canary Wharf. Visit the Grotto at Jubilee Place Mall, try out a craft workshop, watch the roaming entertainers or get their face painted.
When? December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 from 11am – 5pm. Just the grotto will be open on December 24 from 10am-4pm.
How much? £1 for a visit to the grotto, all proceeds go to charity.
How to book: www.mycanarywharf.com
Selfridges, London
Hop on the Santa Express and visit Santa’s grotto – proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Book early – tickets are going fast!
When? November 21 – December 24
How much? £2 per ticket (adults and children)
How to book: www.selfridges.com
Harrods, London
Children and parents can meet Father Christmas and tell him what they’d like this Christmas. Each child will leave with an exclusive book based on the original Wizard of Oz story and parents will have the opportunity to buy a photo.
When? November 7 – December 24
How much? Tickets are free, but you do need to book
How to book: www.harrods.com
Hamleys, London
Santa will be serving breakfast for children, telling stories of Lapland and each child will get to talk to him and come away with a goody bag.
When? November 30 – December 24 at 9.30am
How much? £35
How to book: Call 0800 2802 444
Are you organising a Santa’s grotto? Email at info@greenkiddie.co.uk and we will add your listing for free!
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December 2, 2009
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