These dollhouses are built around books?
Do you know any educator, counselor or therapist that doesn’t encourage reading; why is this? Reading to infants strengthens bonds, reading with toddlers and preschoolers builds brains and reading in school aged children unlocks potential that lasts a lifetime. Chapter by chapter the science is stacking up. The best predictor of achievement and life success is being an engaged reader. It also says literacy is the key to economic and social power, regardless of socio-economic class. Friends, unlocking imagination can happen through reading, that’s why Hope Houses are built around books. That’s why we’re so proud to announce the release of ‘A Merry Heart’, the companion story to the Merry dollhouse model.
Joy and Climb, the give-one Hope Houses that reach children less familiar with intact family are literally built around a book. Reading was always going to be part of making a difference in the children we reached so we asked Kevin Maloney, of Maloney Design, to make a special place for books. In the Joy model ‘Joy Lives Here’ comes tucked in behind the front porch, and in the Climb model ‘A Place to Climb’ is between the bushes and the tree trunk.
There was a place for books, and now we needed a Storysmith and Illustrator. Enter author, mother, artist Lurana Brown. We met over coffee. She answered the ‘who are you’ questions and, before it was my turn or had explained the purpose of our meeting, she ended with “what’s really on my heart is ministering to children”. Lurana got the job that morning and also got busy looking for someone to add color and whimsy to her twists and turns. Enter Illustrator Maggie Coburn.
Maggie was living in Italy upon our digital introduction, supporting her husband serving in our armed forces. Maggie has illustrated a number of children’s stories; her style is fun, soft and thoughtful. Her illustrations add depth or levity, whatever is needed to stretch imagination and tell the whole story. Now a young Mom, Maggie is still bringing the joy to clients and we’re thrilled she’s on our ‘tiny’ team.
The small business journey is different for everyone, and the question “how is business” means different things to each entrepreneur. We’re a mission oriented small business, working against the data that says family is becoming unpopular. When asked that question I recall a story from an agency partner. There was a brief chance to visit with a give-one Hope House recipient during the drop off. She smiled as we looked over her new ‘Joy’ dollhouse, and things went quite as we leafed through the companion storybook where she saw it had been dedicated to her. In that tiny moment she heard she was someone important, loved by others even though she didn’t know the author or the buy-one give-one customer. Months later I learned this nine year old young lady hadn’t yet learned to read, now had a reason and the Joy Lives Here book was always with her. Some people loved her enough to write her a story and she was going to read it. Friends I don’t know how this journey or story will end. I do know that each new chapter of the people business is hard, exciting, humbling, and it means the world you’ve chosen to connect a ‘tiny’ part of your story with ours.
We’re asking that you do your absolute best by your own family, make time for play and reading and it will make a better life. It would be great if we could help you demonstrate love, connect your family through imaginative play and bring purpose to your gift giving. If dollhouses and storybooks aren’t your thing, then stay tuned as we get ready to launch a line of buy-one give-one vintage wooden toys and toy kits.
Thanks for being with us when it comes to inspiring hope in children.
Read more about the benefits of reading here:
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