Coloring Page: We, 3D

Becoming acrylic this week was like going into another dimension.

Acrylics

Bugs are usually the first ones to show up in the windowsill, but not today. Lookee what we have here: acrylic silhouettes of us. Looks like the sun shines brightest in our center. How about you?

The Empire State Building

Nicknames are quizzical things and their interest builds when you discover the reasons behind them."Stilts" (our friend who goes by his nickname—he's the tall, blue fellow) suggested the entire Troop visit New York's nickname building: the Empire State Building!

As we exited the elevator on the 86th floor and climbed upon the guard rail, Silas yelled, "You can all call me Batman!" Stilts quietly corrected him, "You can't give yourself a nickname. A nickname is given to you by somebody—like a friend—that has known you since your beginning or for a very long time." Silas grumbled and remained upside down.

Problems, like the world, look very different when you see them from above or from a distance.

Sometimes it takes standing on shoulders to see something close-up.

Being so high up and close to the buildings, Pascal recalled the 1933 film of King Kong while Penny thought about the possibilites of being in the Macy's Day Parade. Silas just looked below at all the tiny people and began singing, "Birdie, birdie in the sky..."

Did you know The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world in 1931? Can you find all the hidden Troopers on the tops of the building?

Did you know the tower lights have meaning? Did you know they turn off every night/morning at 2:00 a.m.?

With our tail feathers to the masses, peering over the edge, The Twins spotted two faces in the crowd that appeared somewhat familiar. "It's her... and him!" said the Upper Twin; "No, it's not them. They don't live here," debated the Under Twin. The matter settled when the faces got up and close. There—on top of the world—were The Cliff and The Mexican!

There is an incredible magic that happens when you run into a friend in an unlikely place; there is an unmistakeable feeling you feel sitting in the hands of a friend that has supported you from a great distance—especially when you're 1,250 feet above the ground.

There is a perspective you see when you spend time with someone that has been there since your beginning.

Time sped ahead. They had to leave and we had to go, so we made plans for pizza the next day. Seeing them was something unexpected and splendid—kinda like a rainbow without rain.

Coloring Page: Chicago Word Cage

Today's coloring page is a Word Cage for the place we visited this last wk. Want a hint? It's nickname is The Windy City. Click, download and print. Here's to the kiddos!

First Book is Available!

Great news! The first Jolly Troop book, Introducing Red Fred Bodoni & The Jolly Troop, is ready for your eyes and heart! It's 56 pages of full color story-telling about how I was created, what it means to "pause & rejoice" and why my pals are fantastic. Below, you can read the entire book - cool, eh? If you'd like to purchase it, there is an option for that as well! We're excited to be in your home... on a night stand... next to some of your favorite books and LittleOnes!

Introducing Red Fred Bodoni & The Jolly Troop by Dallas Graham | Make Your Own Book

Chicago Preps

We're headed to The Windy City for a design show (thanks history-maps.com for the cool map!). We've never been there (the show or Chicago). In addition to patterned paper and cards, we're dressing up in some different ways:

as acrylic...

as ultra-board (and hopefully not ultra-bored)...

as felt ornaments...

as a tote...

as pillowy-plush...

and as a book!

We'll let you know how things turn out! Blow some extra wind in our direction!

Coloring Page: Book Cover

With our first book almost to our mailbox, we thought you'd like to color your own cover of the first Jolly Troop book! Check out the earlier posts for some color-character reminders or get creative and color them however you want! As always, just click, download and print to enjoy this new coloring page! Kiddos unite!

Preview Spreads for New Book

We just sent the files off to the printer for our first book! It's called:

Introducing Red Fred Bodoni & The Jolly Troop (hard name to conjure, eh?)

Thought you'd like to see a few sample spreads. Measuring 7"x7", it's 56 colorful pages of pure jolly! Since we are publishing independently with Blurb, we'll let you know when the book has hatched so you can snatch one up. We like your eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. T. Time with T. J.

Magnus and Yvette were in cahoots planning a trip between two bookend holidays in July: Independence Day and Bastille Day. Magnus wanted to recite the Declaration of Independence in an all-American place, but Yvette wanted something with a French flair. They put their minds together, roped in some recruits and stormed The Jefferson Memorial!

Yvette and Edward took 14 minutes (for le quatorze juillet) discussing the Ionic columns. "Surely they wouldn't be as great without the egg-and-dart ornamentals," Yvette mused. "Perhaps," paused Edward, "but I still prefer Corinthian." A wide-eyed Silus shook his head and mumbled something about being imprisoned.

Roman and Magnus were struck by its similarities to The Pantheon and The Rotunda. Penny found a precarious place and thought about the balance between independence and freedom.

Yvette swoons for T. J. because he was a minister to France; Penny has a weakness for polymaths, in general.

Caught in the coffers above T. J., the boys thought about "tyranny over the mind of man."

Did you know that T. J. is considered the author of The Declaration of Independence?

Did you know that T. J. was governor of Virginia, U.S. minister to France, Secretary of State (under Washington), Vice President (under Adams), and President of the United States? Did you know he was also the Father of The University of Virginia? Did you know T. J. was a botanist, an architect, and started the Library of Congress with his own collection of books?

The colonnade was perfect for Huckle Buckle Beanstalk and rounds of Frère Jacques.

Magnus thought it would be better to hear The Declaration of Independence recited by its author than by him. The others agreed. So, T. J. recited the entire thing, right there in the memorial. Of course, Magnus mouthed the entire thing – just to prove a point.

Roman and Edward tried identifying the typeface used on the wall panels throughout the memorial. Do you know what it is?

To avoid another world war, the girls took their squabbling — about who T. J. liked more — outdoors. They conceded to share liking privileges, which granted them each cooing rights whenever they visited. T. J. approved of their resolution method: good debate and discussion backed with reason.

As the Troop made its final rounds around the memorial, they felt T. J.'s firework-phrasing sink in. Maybe it was an unseen jet stream or maybe it was the timely, echoing words, but the flight home seemed less strenuous and more like a pursuit of happiness.