It has been a while since I've hosted a giveaway here on the blog, and today felt like just the right time! I visited with Sarah from Imagine Childhood earlier this week and that interview is below.
Sarah is hosting a generous giveaway as well, so read on!
What is your company and how long have you been in business?
"For
children, potential is limitless, curiosity is an electrical current,
and every moment is open to the possibility of the unexpected.
Day-to-day life is filled with adventure. Road blocks are invitations to
try new routes. And the world is vast and expansive…" ~ From Imagine Childhood: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination, and Play, Roost Books 2012
Childhood is more than just a stage in our path to adulthood, it’s
the time in our lives when our imaginations have no limits. It’s the
time when we learn how to be inventors. It’s the time when we watch
clouds and butterflies with wonder and admiration. It’s the time when
we fall in love with the world. Childhood is not just a developmental
stage, it’s the development of a perspective, and quite a beautiful one
at that. In 2008 we established ImagineChildhood.com to support and
nurture the growth of that perspective.
Imagine Childhood is a family owned and operated company offering
high quality environmentally conscious toys, activities and stories that
encourage exploration, creativity, and open-ended unstructured play.
been a circular one. Growing up I had always wanted to be involved in
primary education in one way or another. To me, teachers were more
magical than fairies or elves or wizards. They looked normal, just like
any other adult, but somehow using only their words and a piece of
chalk they could transport me to new worlds in an instant. They could
expand my mind and my imagination. They could show me the entire
universe on a Tuesday afternoon.
education never wavered, my college years brought me to a new focus, to
the world of art, where I lived for quite a while thereafter. It
actually wasn’t until I worked in exhibition design for the Field Museum
of Natural History, that I began to recognize a familiar texture
beneath my feet, roots and stones on a path that I’d navigated before. I
wasn’t teaching per se, but I was beginning to come back to the idea
of developing conduits for information, of putting time and care into
how ideas could be shared with children.
doing at Imagine Childhood, in the shop and the blog as well as a new
venture into the world of writing, I feel like I’ve come back to where I
started, but this time with a completely different perspective. . . one
that I could only get from going the long way around.
How do you believe you and your business are bringing good into the world?
I
don’t think it’s a question of bringing good into the world, that’s
already there. What we hope to be doing, is to provide a space that
helps put a spotlight on all of that goodness.
We don’t think of the
products we carry in our shop as toys, they are tools for exploration.
Objects that might just inspire a child to investigate the world outside
their window or the lands inside their imagination, to see the magic in
the everyday and to perhaps, one day, share it with others.
Imagine Childhood is offering a generous $50 gift certificate to their shop and a copy of Sarah's new book, Imagine Childhood. To enter your name simply leave a comment below! I will close comments in about a week.
Comments are now closed! The winnter is Charissa who said:
"Wow! Sounds like a great book and a great little company! What a wonderful idea. 🙂
"
Imagine Childhood is also offering each of you a 10% discount from now until
1/31/13. Simply enter LUSA as the discount code at the time of
checkout.
Oh! This book would be so loved in our house!
Oh wow!! So many stunning items. How inspiring.
Thanks for the giveaway!
~Alex H
I’m keeping my fingers crossed! Congrats on the book!
cool!
Ahhhhmazing. I love, love, love Imagine Childhood. Great book, fantastic products. xo
what a perfect store!
What a fantastic opportunity! Thanks for the chance!
I love browsing around Imagine Childhood – I’m always drooling at the selection but can’t always justify the cost (especially if I think, “I should be able to make that myself”)! So… a gift certificate would be perfect!
Looks wonderful! Thanks for the chance!!!
awesome – we’re big-time fans of imagine childhood- thanks for the generous give-away!
we love imagine childhood!!!
I’m really glad you posted about Imagine Childhood — I was looking for better sources of toys to share with my family members who really like giving my infant son presents. Thanks so much!
Beautiful interview and company! Cheers!!
We love imagine childhood and would love to have their book! Thanks for the chance!
I love Imagine Childhood. Thank you for this opportunity!
i just found your website and i love it!! i just read your anxiety post and it was so good and honest and true.
also, i’m a fan of imagine childhood!
That squirrel is the cutest thing ever!
Their stuff and message are awesome! The stuffed animals are really cute! My girls would love them!!!
I love all this cuteness!!
How awesome!! I love it.
Love it 🙂
Very nice and generous!
Oh what a generous giveaway! Thanks!
What an awesome giveaway!
Love your store! You guys are great. All the best!
I would love to dig in to this book (and have play money in their amazing shop!). I am continually impressed with the work imagine childhood shares with the world! xo
Thank you for the giveaway!
Thank you! Imagine childhood is wonderful that it not only offers wonderful and imaginative toys but includes the community via a blog.
Oh, that would be so cool, I love their shop. Thank you!
Beautiful ideas for children of all ages!
Love! One of my favorite online “stores.” More of an experience than most retailers. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
Their book has been on my wish wish wish list for so long! Thanks for the opportunity.
awesome!!
i love their shop! i have a hard time narrowing down orders there!
Great giveaway!! Thank you! Can´t wait to read the book!
Such beautiful things!
What a great giveaway! I have been wanting the new book. I am sure it holds wonderful inspiration for my family.
I have always wanted to get my littles one of these gorgeous stuffed animals from Imagine Childhood! A little mouse for my oldest, the fuzzy rabbit for my girl, and a baby pig for my baby.
Oh, I have been wanting to read this book for a while now, it looks wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity!
What a wonderful giveaway from such a great company!
Looks like a fun book!
So many fun things on their site! My boys would be in outdoor heaven!
Thanks so much for sharing this company.
I love their products and have been hoping for a copy of their book.
I’ve been eying that book for quite a while! Great giveaway!
So refreshing to read about a business that truly believes in the magic of childhood. Lovely interview. Thanks!
Oh my goodness…I would love to win this! I’ve been admiring the book since Christmas and many of the beautiful treasures Imagine Childhood has to offer! I am an educator who is always looking for opportunities of encouraging creative play that allows for a connectedness with nature.
Thank you for offering this giveaway!
We love Imagine Childhood! I’ve really been wanting a copy of their book too! Thanks for the chance, great giveaway!
I absolutely love the offerings at Imagine Childhood and recently borrowed the book from our library (which we loved as well). I would be SO happy to win either gift. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Would love to delve in to this book…
I am always on the look put for great books full of ideas for Jake and I.
This book has been on my must-read list. I would love to get the opportunity to take a peek! 🙂
Great shop, thanks for the chance to win!!
such dreamy offerings from IC. and I’d love a peek at that book.
We love Imagine Childhood! Thanks for the giveaway! Fingers crossed.
this looks awesome. thanks for the chance.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Ruby’s birthday is coming up! Fingers crossed and thanks for the chance:)
This is the fourth or fifth time I am entering for a chance to win this amazing book.
I wish, I win it atleast this time.
Thanks for the giveaway!
i’m a big fan.
Oh, I DO love this shop! Such a nice interview. Thanks!
The book looks so interesting!
Looks wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to read this book so that I can foster imaginative play with my daughter! Thank you for offering the giveaway!
So excited! Fingers crossed!
i’m always inspired by imaginative play~i grew up with a very narrow minded view of “play”. however, my now 2 year old is teaching me so much! i am learning to let go of my old ideas of play and enjoying his very creative style of expressing what he considers fun:)
Imagine Childhood is such a wonderful business! I made my first order this Christmas, and was SO pleased with the quality of the items and the care in which they were packaged!
What a wonderful giveaway – I love Imagine Childhood! Thanks so much for the chance. xo
I’ve had my eye on this book and would love to have a copy, especially now that I know the philosophy it’s based upon! And am looking forward to checking out her blog!
all kinds of birthdays coming up!
Love it, not toys, but tools for exploration!
such loveliness. thank you!
We just love this shop. Over the holidays we bought our boys their little stuffed mice. They were poking their little noses out of their stockings and it was a big hit! Thanks for the giveaway!
I have always admired the stuffed animals from there. My daughter would love the bunny! Thank you!
We love this store. Thanks for the chance!!
They have such a beautiful shop! Thanks for the chance! xo
Thank you for sharing such a lovely company and what a very beautiful book. I love being given such an opportunity, to win such a treasure!!
What a wonderful giveaway! Loving the shadow puppets.
I’ve heard so much about the book and it would be wonderful to read it. The puppets are simply adorable.
Love what they offer. We have added some cherished items to our home and lives.
what a lovely book and shop. I would be so happy to pick some things out for my children. thank you for the giveaway!
How I would love this book! I am so inspired by what the store offers…the best toys ever for imagination and adventurous learning!
beautiful toys! the shadow puppet theater is on our “wish list”!
I am a new mother and also new to the world of imaginative play. Imagine Childhood looks so cool and hopefully I will have the opportunity to include this in my childs life.
Thanks for making us aware of another option for “healthy” toys Rachel.
Oh my goodness, what a great giveaway! I’m very intrigued by this book, and just spent a good amount of time browsing their site, wishing & dreaming…
Beautiful & lovely toys! I thought the animals were real at first. I am definitely going to check out your website!
This would be a nice gift to give to my son who is one of the most outdoorsy guys ever. Ths looks like a great site for beautiful gifts and treasures 🙂
Looks like such a wonderful company!
I have been eyeing this book! What a great giveaway.:)
The Full Moon in Leo led my inner child here. Winning would be great, but finding this information was a gift all on it’s own!
such great stuff!
Ooh, I love this shop and I have the book on my wishlist- thanks for hosting this!
Yay! I love children’s stores like this!
We’re huge fans of this shop. We bought the most beautiful little sailboats this past summer and they were a hit with every child at the beach!
Needless to say, we’d love the chance to treat ourselves to something else…
Great shop&book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thank you!
What a wonderful company!
I adore her blog and shop there frequently, what a treat…..thanks for a chance to win, it would be beyond awesome!
I love your products! So inspiring!
Awesome! Thanks for the opportunity. We love Imagine Childhood!
Thank you for the kind offer!
Beautiful!! I’m always amazed at those stuffed animals.
beautifully fun
So wonderful! I love the idea that the good is already out there in the world. That is such a comfort and a truth.
Wow, an amazing initiative. Thanks for sharing.
I have been lusting for this book! Thank you for the opportunity!
Beautiful! Pick me!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I would love a copy of this!
Ooh, I would love a chance to win! Thanks so much!
Ooo, they have such wonderful things. Thanks for the give away.
how beautiful! so pure and simple and lovely. made by my dreams, for my dream life 🙂
Awesome! Thanks.
I would love to read this book, and your products are beautiful.
I love this company and have bought from them several times! Would love to win it!
I am a fan of Imagine Childhood and so thankful to discover your blog today because of them. So excited to read more.
Imagine Childhood is one of favorite online stores! So many beautiful things!
Crossing my fingers!
Our friends have a farm, populated with sheep, and my youngest babe is enamored with them. I have been scouring the Internet for these folks, to get him a stuffed sheep, since I can’t as yet get him a real one, for his second birthday. So glad to find them here! xoxo
What a great company!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
IOh my! What a lovely give-away! With three baby birthdays in the next few months, this would most definitely come in handy. Thank you both!
Love, love, love imagine childhood!
Lovely.
Such a lovely giveaway!
such beautiful toys. So inspired.
I don’t even know what that really means but I love it! 🙂
That was my favorite part of the interview, Jess. Yes indeed!
I love your blog! Great giveaway too 🙂
Hi Rachel-
As an unschooling mom in VA to 3 boys I’m really enjoying your blog. What a great giveaway, too. Thank you!
I really do love this shop and now an even more impressed after “meeting” the person who started it all. Thank you.
What a wonderful give-away. Thank you!
LOVE this shop and would love to have a copy of her book to boot!
Wow, that store looks amazing!
Great company!
Wow! Sounds like a great book and a great little company! What a wonderful idea. 🙂
I am so glad to hear of this book! I am crossing my fingers…I am a librarian working with kids, and try to make my programming flexible so that children can explore and create as they like rather than aim for a specific finished item or story. I need to read the book regardless!
Love Imagine Childhood!
this is such a cool giveaway! thanks!!
A beautiful labor of love.
I would love to win for my daughter – thanks for the chance
I am so excited you decided to do this giveaway. This book would be so appreciated in our home. Oh I hope I win!!
Keep up the great work!
What a fantastic and generous giveaway! I love the stuffed animals at Imagine Childhood.
What magical toys! I love how realistic they are.
Great interview! I think her ability to acknowledge the goodness in the world comes through in Imagine Childhood.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Great interview. Thanks for bringing it to us.
Thank you! Incrediable give away!
Megan&Brielle
Wow! I hadn’t heard of Imagine Childhood yet… amazing products!
Yippeeee! How cool! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I have loved the Imagine Childhood site for some time. I have bought many gifts for my grandchildren there. It is wonderful. Now the book…..I would love to have the book for when they come over so we can let our imaginations run wild. Thank you for the chance.
I’ve been interested in reading her book … maybe I’ll win it!
Wow love that stuff and love what she says about children. Childhood is so important and deserves to be full of free imaginative play. I would love the chance to win too. Thanks you for the generous giveaway.
Big fan of Imagine Childhood! Fabulous shop and blog.
Oh My!! How fantastic! This would be a perfect addition to our life!! Thank you for introducing me to this site!
I love this shop!
While we haven’t ordered much, the magnifying glass is still going strong 4 years later. No small feat in the hands of a littler one!
This would be a perfect…fun would be had figuring out how to use the gc…thanks for the chance to win.
Honored to have the opportunity to win this book. Would love to remove it from my Amazon wish list!
My values are aligned. I’d love to win! Thank you!
Oh my goodness, I would love a copy of this book! The gift certificate would be lovely, as well:)
Trudy
I would so love to have a look at that book! Nice giveaway, thank you!
Wonderful giveaway!
Ooh, I would love that book 🙂
Great giveaway and great timing…feeling like its passing me by too quickly:-)
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
Thank you for introducing Imagine Childhood…I’ve not familiar with them, so look forward to the connection : )
I love that store, I could spend hours browsing it!
Thank you for this opportunity to enter. Looks lovely!
Imagine Childhood is always inspirational!
Beautiful products.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Yes please!
Beautiful shop! I’d love to read her book!
The book is really lovely!
What a treat a wee shopping spree here would be! Thank you
Wow I just checked out the site and it is so full of wonder ! Toys I have not seen anywhere else and plus toys so lifelike they would definitely be real in a child’s world ! My 2 year old girl would adore something from here for sure and treasure it always. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful site.
I am always telling people about Imagine Childhood! I love this shop! Thanks for the giveaway!
We love their blog and have shopped their store but don’t yet own the book. Would loooove to win – please randomly pick us! 🙂
I love their website and have been wanting to purchase some stuff for my daughter from it for a while. The book looks great too! Thanks for the opportunity!
the book looks just lovely!
Wow, what an awesome giveaway!
WOW. Those are quite possibly the most exquisite toys I’ve ever seen. I’ve been writing a lot about non-consumerism lately, but I will readily admit that I’m going to bookmark Imagine Childhood for birthday and holiday gifts! Truly lovely.
I’m heading over now to dream the $50 away!
I’ve been eyeing that book for some time. What a bonus it would be to not only win it, but also money to shop! Thanks for a great giveaway!
Great giveaway. My 8 year old would love the paper making kit.
I was really happy that my local library bought this book. And her store/shop is such a gem.
Thanks for the opportunity! and the blog! =)
So many beautiful things!! I love their shop. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Oh what a lovely book! 🙂
Oh, thank you for sharing this chance! I’ve had the book on my wishlist for sometime!
Love imagine childhood! It would be such a treat to win 🙂
Oh wow! I just fell in love. So many beautiful things. I think the bird matching game is going to be in someone’s Easter basket.
We love This shop! I’d really like to get the book.
love that site. sure would be fun to spend $50 there!
I would be so~honored to win…so so much!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you so much for this opportunity!!
Thanks, would love to win.
I swear, I did a triple take on those stuffies – they are SO lifelike!!
What a fantastic company – I am one of those people so bothered by all the plastic stuff that seems to make up kids’ playthings these days. I love the simpler, more natural toys, that somehow feel more peaceful and right to me. Really glad to know these folks are out there. 🙂
Oh, this is beautiful! Thanks for spreading the word about this lovely inspiration.
I have a little one who would love this! Thank you.
What a lovely interview and products. Please include my name in the give away
So many comments all of a sudden! It is a great shop! I’ve wanted to order things from them on several occasions. Thanks for the more through introduction and the give away!
Would love to win!
Admired the book, love the shop – thanks for the chance to win
Oh I love your idea that teachers are more magical than fairies! What a wonderful way to look at that influence!
I love Imagination Childhood! Thanks for hosting such a wonderful giveaway.
Beautiful company, website, products. Congratulations on the book!
I love visiting the blog and shop! Thanks for the wonderful ideas and inspiration!
What a lovely giveaway. Thank you!
oh wow! so gorgeous! I would be thrilled to win. Going to check out the shop now.
What beautiful items. Thanks so much for sharing and the opportunity!
Imagine Childhood is so much fun. Thanks for the chance.
I love this co. Just discovered them at christmas and got a couple things for my kids.
I’m brand new to this company — so impressed by everything they are offering, which is all so thoughtfully curated. More than just “things” but enduring items that will really spark creativity and play, and can then be passed down to next generations.
Thanks for the chance to win, Rachel!
We love reading their blog – and the store is wonderful!
Sounds like amazing fun for both my inner child and my very own child 🙂
Oh happy day! This looks like an amazing book! Thank you so much for writing it ad bringing it into the world!
What an amazing book from an imaginative company!