New Canaan author Gigi Priebe will be at Norwalk’s Stepping Stones Museum Jan. 21 as part of a day-long, museum-wide book release celebration.
Although she never took her teaching degree into the classroom, Priebe has played a role in the education of thousands of children as the founder of the award-winning Stepping Stones Museum for Children. In response to a recognized need for quality resources that specifically address the needs and interests of children in their earliest years, Stepping Stones opened in March, 2000. With a B.S. in early childhood education, Priebe understood the power of experiential learning, so with input from area parents, educators and museum professionals, she created a museum designed to immerse young visitors in interactive experiences, nurture curiosity and help teach them something about the world around them. “The goal,” she said, “is to inspire children to ask questions long after they leave the four walls of the museum.” Now Priebe invites children to explore a fictional world that she has brought to life in an engaging new children’s book series.
The event Jan. 21 will begin with an exclusive meet and greet for museum members from 10-11 a.m., followed by a public reception from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Representatives from Circle of Care, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping children with cancer in Connecticut, will be on hand to spread the word about its important mission.
In addition to purchasing copies for their own reading pleasure, celebration attendees have an opportunity to donate a copy of Priebe’s book to Circle of Care and children spending extended time in the hospital battling cancer. Special activities include Henry Whiskers mask making and a photo booth, book sales with author signing and a welcome desk display. Additionally, there will be a self-expression room where you can design your room as if you were one of the mouse characters and an area where you can make a car like one of the cars in the dollhouse and then drive it around on ramps and roads around the doll house.
The fast-paced debut chapter book called The Adventures of Henry Whiskers is for children ages seven to 10, and appeals to both boys and girls. Twenty-five generations of Whiskers have lived in Windsor Castle’s most famous exhibit; Queen Mary’s Doll House. Tucked into its base are hidden drawers that make the perfect place for a family of mice to call home. But when the dollhouse undergoes unexpected repairs and his sister goes missing, young Henry Whiskers must find the courage he never knew he had and risk everything in a whisker-whipping race against time to save her. Before it’s all over, Henry and his best friend, Jeremy, will face scary rats, an evil cat and a tail-curling car ride that will leave young readers breathless and eager for more.
Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is something that Priebe is familiar with. “Trying new things is always scary,” she said, “but the successful launch of Stepping Stones taught me first hand that ‘you never know unless you try,’ so I thought I’d try writing.”
The idea for the story hatched while living in England with her family, husband David and their three children, Haley, Chelsea and Hunter. They lived near Windsor Castle and toured it often with family visitors from the states, so she became well acquainted with its world famous dollhouse. That’s when the idea struck.
“I was fascinated by the dollhouse made for Queen Mary,” said Priebe. “Everything in the dollhouse is completely authentic on a miniature scale.”
Priebe notes the dollhouse was never meant for dolls or even for children to play with. Built in the 1920’s by England’s finest artists and craftsmen, the miniature masterpiece comes complete with four floors, forty rooms, two working elevators, hot and cold running water and electricity. It has toilets that flush, a garage filled with luxury cars, a grandfather clock that chimes and a library filled with leather-bound books authored and illustrated by England’s greats like Kipling. Doyle and A.A.Milne.
What mouse wouldn’t want to live there, thought Priebe, so the idea for her story was born. “You could almost call it historical fiction,” she said. “With a historic backdrop and a little imagination, it’s the perfect setting for an adventure series that will take children’s imaginations to places both real and fantastical.”
Book one was released Jan. 3, 2017. The second book is in production and the third story is in the planning stages. “Writing is not easy for me, but I am learning that the more I do it, the easier it gets. I have no idea where Henry’s next adventure will take him or what he’ll learn along the way, but I look forward to finding out,” said Priebe.
For more Information visit gigipriebe.com.
New Canaan author Gigi Priebe, who founded Stepping Stones Museum, will be at Norwalk’s Stepping Stones Museum, Saturday Jan. 21. New Canaan author, Gigi Priebe, with her new book.
David Priebe and Gigi Priebe, left, with children, Chelsea, Haley and Hunter.
The post Local author at release event Jan. 21 appeared first on New Canaan Advertiser.