Jun 17, 2008

Local Illustrator Signs Newly Released Book: "Lady Liberty• A Biogrqphy"

G.Willikers! Toy Shop is very excited to welcome back Maine author/illustrator Matt Tavares to sign his newly illustrated book, Lady Liberty• A Biography.

"A powerfully moving, authentic portrait of the Statue of Liberty, told through the eyes of those who created her and illustrated in glorious detail."

This book will be a keepsake in my family library, and should certainly grace the shelves of classrooms, libraries and homes throughout our country. It shares a slice of our history in a way that brings you closer to the real people behind this amazing statue and symbol. It tells the story of the conception, construction and realization of Lady Liberty in an honest, accurate and personal way that will surely engage readers young and old.

Jun 14, 2008

Tractor Mac Visits G.Willikers! Toy Shop

The sun was out, the temperatures were in the 80’s and Pro Portsmouth celebrated Market Square Day’s 31st anniversary in style.

The annual street festival brings tens of thousands of visitors each year to Portsmouth, NH to discover some of the sights, sounds and tastes of our beautiful downtown. On Market St., G.Willikers! Toy Shop joined in the fun by welcoming noted children’s book author/illustrator Billy Steers and his special friend, Tractor Mac.

A Real Working Tractor

Tractor Mac is a hard working 1948 Farmall cub tractor that lives with Billy and his family in Roxbury, CT. Interest in the Tractor Mac books was brisk all day as curious festival goers wanted their picture taken with the bright red tractor. Those who bought any one of the six titles were treated to signed copies complete with an original drawing on the title page.

Tractor Mac Titles

Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm
Tractor Mac Learns to Fly
Tractor Mac You're a Winner
Tractor Mac Builds a Barn
Tractor Mac Harvest Time
Tractor Mac Saves Christmas

We’d like to thank Billy and his family for sharing their time with us and allowing so many children (and some adults) to sit on Tractor Mac and get to know his many adventures. We hope he’ll consider coming back for next year’s Market Square Day! See more photos.

Check out Tractor Mac's Fun Pages!

Jun 02, 2008

After Hours Event Connects Moms and Sitters

On Thursday, May 29th G.Willikers! Toy Shop hosted an evening with Moms and Sitters Connect LLC, a local business that tries to unite moms in search of quality child care and young women who have the experience to provide it. The woman behind this idea is Sarah Wollheim, a Rollinsford resident who came across the concept after experiencing her own ups and downs with finding sitters for her family.

The event was very well attended (actually the interest level exceeded the store’s capacity to comfortably host this type of gathering) with 15 moms and 15 care givers from UNH getting to know one another with both formal introductions and lots of one on one mingling. An informational binder was given to each mom with the bios and work experience of each sitter included with lots of room for note taking.

Everybody involved seemed to really like this concept. Moms appreciated having such an impressive group of young women to connect with in a short amount of time, a.k.a. Time Management. The sitters felt that G.Willikers! provided a safe and comfortable environment to showcase their experience and get to know prospective employers.

It was like a cross between a job fair and speed dating. Check out photos of the event in our photo gallery.

As with all “After Hours” events at G.Willikers! Toy Shop, guests were offered a storewide discount on purchases made that evening. To book your own “G.Willikers! After Hours” event, call Jody or Bob at (603) 436-7746.

For more information: sarahwollheim@comcast.net or call: (603) 740-0368.

Jun 01, 2008

Support the Seacoast Science Center - Shop G.Willikers After Hours!

Support the Seacoast Science Center!
Shop G.Willikers After Hours!
Thursday, June 5th 6-8pm

10% off storewide for customers who shop during this special event and G.Willikers will also donate 10% of all sales during the event to our June Partner in Play, the Seacoast Science Center!

Come for tasty treats and a hands-on Seacoast Science Center touch tank! Enter a Seacoast Science Center Raffle!

Join us for a night of FUN and FUNDRAISING!!!

Jun 01, 2008

Go Bag Free to Protect the Earth!

For almost 2 months now, we have donated a dime to a local "green intiiative" when our customers go bag free, use our 100% recycled G.Wllikers! bags, or use their own bag.

Over 600 bags saved!

This has been a small step that has seemed to have a big impact. Our customers are supportive and enthusiastic about this, and already we have saved over 600 bags, and will be donating over $60 to Little Harbors Eco-Camp Program.

June Donation: Seacoast Science Center

For the month of June our dime a bag donation will go to the Seacoast Science Center to celebrate their educational approaches to keeping our planet healthy.

The Seacoast Science Center informed us that sea turtles and other marine life think plastic bags are jellyfish and they try to eat them. Together we can take small steps that make a big difference!