Sponsor Giveaway : : Imagine Childhood

Sarah

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!

2

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.

4

What inspired you to go into this line of work?

I feel like the path that has led me to where I am today has
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.
.
As I grew older, though my love of
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. 
.
Now in the work that I am
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.
.
3

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.

6What else should we know?
For the past couple of years we’ve been working with the wonderful Roost Books to publish our first book Imagine Childhood: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination, and Play which was released last October.  We’re so excited to have it out in the world!
.
Congratulations, Sarah!

 
 1

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.

218 thoughts on “Sponsor Giveaway : : Imagine Childhood”

  8. Karla says:

    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!

  12. Jade Vida Delisle says:

    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!

  16. alana says:

    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!

  26. Alyssa T says:

    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

  28. Crystine says:

    Thank you! Imagine childhood is wonderful that it not only offers wonderful and imaginative toys but includes the community via a blog.

  38. Crystal says:

    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.

  39. natali says:

    Oh, I have been wanting to read this book for a while now, it looks wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity!

  42. Kristin says:

    So many fun things on their site! My boys would be in outdoor heaven!
    Thanks so much for sharing this company.

  45. Melanie says:

    So refreshing to read about a business that truly believes in the magic of childhood. Lovely interview. Thanks!

  46. Tina says:

    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!

  47. Christie says:

    We love Imagine Childhood! I’ve really been wanting a copy of their book too! Thanks for the chance, great giveaway!

  48. Monique B says:

    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!

  58. Pria says:

    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!

  65. iilene says:

    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:)

  66. mikalinette@gmail.com says:

    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!

  68. Boxcar Stitchery says:

    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!

  72. MamaWestWind says:

    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!

  80. suzanne terry says:

    what a lovely book and shop. I would be so happy to pick some things out for my children. thank you for the giveaway!

  81. Stephanie says:

    How I would love this book! I am so inspired by what the store offers…the best toys ever for imagination and adventurous learning!

  83. Stephanie M. says:

    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.

  85. Crystal says:

    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…

  86. Therese says:

    Beautiful & lovely toys! I thought the animals were real at first. I am definitely going to check out your website!

  87. Natasha says:

    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 🙂

  90. hillary.krapf@gmail.com says:

    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!

  94. Tracy says:

    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…

  98. mamina Lena says:

    I adore her blog and shop there frequently, what a treat…..thanks for a chance to win, it would be beyond awesome!

  116. Wendi says:

    I am a fan of Imagine Childhood and so thankful to discover your blog today because of them. So excited to read more.

  119. Stephanie says:

    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

  121. Amanda Babcock says:

    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!

  129. Marcella says:

    Hi Rachel-
    As an unschooling mom in VA to 3 boys I’m really enjoying your blog. What a great giveaway, too. Thank you!

  130. Kat says:

    I really do love this shop and now an even more impressed after “meeting” the person who started it all. Thank you.

  136. Sarah Graham says:

    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!

  145. Sally says:

    Great interview! I think her ability to acknowledge the goodness in the world comes through in Imagine Childhood.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  150. Terri Sue says:

    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.

  152. amber says:

    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.

  154. Lynne says:

    Oh My!! How fantastic! This would be a perfect addition to our life!! Thank you for introducing me to this site!

  155. Karen says:

    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!

  156. Katie says:

    This would be a perfect…fun would be had figuring out how to use the gc…thanks for the chance to win.

  159. Trudy says:

    Oh my goodness, I would love a copy of this book! The gift certificate would be lovely, as well:)

    Trudy

  165. Allegra says:

    Thank you for introducing Imagine Childhood…I’ve not familiar with them, so look forward to the connection : )

  175. Wanee Gomez says:

    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.

  178. yuki says:

    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!

  181. Joy @ Joyfully Green says:

    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.

  183. Patraq says:

    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!

  191. Kate says:

    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.

  198. Lizzie says:

    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. 🙂

  202. Bronwyn says:

    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!

  205. LeeAnn says:

    Oh I love your idea that teachers are more magical than fairies! What a wonderful way to look at that influence!

  214. Danika says:

    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!

  217. Janita says:

    Oh happy day! This looks like an amazing book! Thank you so much for writing it ad bringing it into the world!

Comments are closed.