Although she never took her teaching degree into the classroom, Gigi 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 Norwalk. 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 says, “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 fast-paced debut chapter book called The Adventures of Henry Whiskers is for children ages seven to ten 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 says, “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 teases. “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 on January 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 or simonandschuster.com.
ABOUT STEPPING STONES MUSUEM FOR CHILDREN
Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. For more information about Stepping Stones, to book a field trip or schedule a class, workshop or facility rental call 203-899-0606 or visit steppingstonesmuseum.org.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children is located at 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT, exit 14 North and 15 South off I-95. Museum hours are: Labor Day through Memorial Day, Tuesday-Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; and Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday-Sunday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children and $10 for seniors. Children under 1 are free. Get social with Stepping Stones on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.