Three Sisters Toys Blog

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Just a note to let our customers know that our store will be closed on Thursday, August 21st. It looks like we are going to be hit by Tropical Storm Fay. We were happy to hear that it may not be upgraded to a hurricane as we are located in Neptune Beach about a mile (if that!) from the Atlantic Ocean and flooding could be an issue. We moved our inventory around today just in case.

We plan to be available via email on Thursday and will reopen the store on Friday assuming that we still have electricity. You can check out our weather conditions here to get an idea of what’s going on in case we do not have phone or internet access.

“Where Do the Children Play?” is a one-hour PBS documentary about the vital importance of open-ended creative play for the healthy development of children. The film examines how restrictive patterns of sprawl, congestion, and endless suburban development across America are impacting children’s mental and physical health and development.

The documentary film was inspired by Elizabeth Goodenough’s book Secret Spaces of Childhood. Goodenough, a scholar in the emerging field of children’s studies, noted that time outside school was increasingly filled with adult organized activities and indoor screen time. Children no longer had the space or opportunity to organize their own play or discover their own secret spaces.

The documentary is available for public screenings for schools, universities, and community organizations through the Alliance for Childhood. For more information about organizing a screening, e-mail Pam Lotz, pam@allianceforchildhood.org, or call 301-779-1033.

The documentary is also available for private purchase from its producer, Michigan Television (there is also a small clip of the film on this link).

Outreach director and film advisor Goodenough has also edited a study
guide to the film, with photos, articles, and children’s poetry that evoke the creative but elusive qualities of play. The book, A Place for Play, is also now available for purchase.

We are in the process of organizing a screening of the film in our local Jacksonville, Florida area. If you are interested in attending or helping with the details, please email us at info@threesisterstoys.com.

Three Sisters Toys has been home-based for the past 5 years, and we are busting at the seams! It is with great pleasure that we announce we are moving to a retail store location.

We are moving to nearby, Neptune Beach, Florida where we will have both a warehouse space and a brick and mortar storefront.

Our new address is:
Three Sisters Toys
1463 Atlantic Blvd
Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Our store is located in the Shoppes of Summer Sands, next to Hala Cafe and Studio 1014.

Our toll-free number will stay the same; however our local number has been changed to (904) 241-5890.

We will be closed from July 18-July 25th as we make the move. We anticipate that the retail store will be open for business on Friday, August 1st (we’ll be sure to keep you updated!)

Thank you to all of our loyal customers, nationwide and here in the greater Jacksonville area, who have made this dream a reality for us!

Neptune Beach Town Center

In Waldorf schools throughout the world, a child’s birthday is celebrated not with sugary cakes, but with a story so sweet adults are moved and children listen with wonder.

Now, the story heard ‘round the world in classrooms can be lovingly retold in the home. Long time Waldorf teacher Dzvinka Hayda has released Little Angel’s Journey, a richly illustrated story that sheds light on the evergreen question, “Where did I come from?”

One perfect day in heaven, Little Angel spies Bountiful Earth, where season change and fairies play - and two people wait for their baby to be born. In the fullness of time, Little Angel begins a mystical journey through a heaven filled with Twinkling Stars, Radiant Sun, and Silvery Moon, who bestow the gifts of wonder, love and kindness. With gentle assistance from Great Angel, Little Angel descends down Rainbow Bridge to Earth….and into the waiting arms of two loving parents.

Written for children but especially moving for adults, Little Angel’s Journey is a timeless story brought to life with wonder, love…and a bit of fairy dust for good measure.

Praise for Little Angel’s Journey:
“Told in the Waldorf tradition with great love and care, and filled with beautiful illustrations, this book is destined to touch the hearts of children and parents alike.” –Susan Howard, coordinator of Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN)

About the Author:
Dzvinka Hayda, a long time Waldorf teacher, was born in Kosiv, Ukraine, by the Rybnytsya River at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. She spent a happy childhood playing outdoors surrounded by nature. Her style of painting, Art Naif, stems from these joyous childhood times. With great attention to detail and harmony, Dzvinka creates an idyllic world all her own. Her story and art reawaken childhood memories of the way each of us saw the world as children.

Hardcover book, each signed by the author
32 pages, 12″ X 8 1/2″
14 full color illustrations
$22.90

This spring, my husband decided to take on the task of getting our lawn in shape. Our 3 year old son has had a wonderful time working with his dad and taking endless trips to Lowe’s. He has enjoyed working alongside as his dad mows the yard, trims the shrubs, and pressure washes the house.

He has of course started imitating this work in his play. I considered buying him some toys that he could use for this kind of imitation. A realistic weed trimmer and blower are both readily available at our local Toys ‘R Us.

However, my son has taken it into his own hands - and own imagination. He has turned our Walk & Roll Push Toy into an array of power tools.

I love that he uses his creativity in this way and he absolutely loves making his own sounds to go with each tool. No batteries necessary!