Amy L. Sullivan's Blog, page 6

How Two Forty-Year-Olds Remembered to Live Gutsy and the Release of GUTSY GIRLS

Look at these two.

The girl on the left is me (My husband saw this picture and asked if I ate a lot of cheese when I was young. You may wonder the same thing. The answer is yes), and the girl on the right is Beverly. Beverly is a lot of things fabulous, and Beverly is also my cousin.

Growing up, I wrote. That’s what I did. I wrote terrible angst filled poems. I wrote a community newspaper for my trailer park. I wrote fiction that was bad and nonfiction that was worse. I wrote on windows with my finger and on bridges with spray paint. I wrote.

Growing up, Beverly created art. Beverly painted green vines along her bedroom walls. She molded sculptures out of clay. She painted on mirrors and rocks and shoes. She made wall hangings and ornaments and of course, she created on canvas. Beverly made art.

Not only did our younger selves rock excellent hair (please scroll to the top for another peek at the hair) and killer dance moves at shady, underage Chicago clubs, but we were full of spirit, spunk, and dreams. Our younger selves had endless amounts of time and unending ambition.

Until we didn’t.

As the years passed, there wasn’t time to grab a tube and float the Dupage River or ignore the world and feed our creative sides. Instead, like you, we had jobs and husbands and bills and babies, and then we had teenagers. We had to make dinner or in Bev’s case, run to the store and buy cereal. We squeezed our passion for writing and art into late nights and early mornings.

And then, something strange happened. Bev and I turned forty.

At forty, we decided it was time to be gutsy (Yep, that’s us to the left. Me in the glasses and Bev in the sassy blonde hair). We decided to be brave. We decided to take our passion for writing and creating and give these gifts more priority, and we decided to work on a project together.

Let me be upfront. In the publishing world there are rules and having your cousin illustrate your book and then having one of your forever friends complete the layout and design on your book pretty much breaks all of the rules.

But guess what? We don’t care. And guess what else? When we created Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World, we created something special. This series isn’t special because Bev and I got to work together, but this series is special because we believe in raising strong girls. We believe our girls deserve to hear the stories of real women who lived big for God, and we believe their stories should be told in a fun and engaging way.

Our book is for the kids in your life. It’s a call to them (and to us) to live big for God even when the world tells us otherwise. Each book in the Gutsy Girls series focuses on a new women. Book One is about Gladys Aylward. Do you know Gladys?

People told Gladys she was too old, not smart, and didn’t have the skills needed to tell the people of China about God. Instead, of listening to them, Gladys set out on an across the world adventure. Gladys is the ultimate gutsy girl.

Bev and I are excited about getting Gutsy Girls into your hot, little hands, and therefore, we have developed early ordering freebies. These freebies will only be available until 9/25/2015.

EARLY ORDERING FREEBIES:

You get the book early! Yay! But if that isn’t enough (what?), here are the other shockingly fabulous incentives.
A PDF of Gabfest, conversation starters for girls. Simply open-up the PDF of Gabfest and print it. Later this fall, I will sell a printed version of Gabfest from this site, but for people who order Gutsy Girls early, Gabfest is free, free, free! Here are a few sample cards.

3. You will be entered to win one of two Live Gutsy paintings completed by the illustrator of Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World, Beverly Wines.

4. You will receive a PDF of a five page enrichment packet which includes activities to extend Gladys’ story long after you finish reading the book. This packet of enrichment activities is perfect to use with Sunday School classes, students who are homeschooled, small groups, or at the kitchen table with your own kiddos.

HERE’S HOW TO GET THE FREE LOOT:

Go to Amazon and order either an ebook or a paperback copy of Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World.
Email Lisa at LisaVanEngen@gmail.com by Friday, August 25th, and let her know you purchased a book. We are using the honor system, friends. No need to send Lisa the Amazon receipt. She just needs to hear from you via email. Again, you must email Lisa for the freebies or we won’t know you purchased a book.
Lisa will send you the shockingly amazing freebies. The winners of the Live Gutsy paintings will be announced via social media on Monday, September 28th.

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Thank you for letting us share our book with you and your family. If you have any questions about the freebies, please leave them in the comments below. If you are working hard to live gutsy, please know Bev and I are cheering for for you.

Much Love,

Amy and Bev

*If you want to keep in the loop about future books in the Gutsy Girls series (available summer 2016) and other FREE enrichement activities, simply subscribe by email (scroll down to the bottom of this page and enter your email) or connect with me on your favorite form of soical media: FB, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

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Published on September 20, 2015 05:39

Friday Fabulousness and Things to Make You Jump

It’s Friday, friends! Let’s talk about some fabulousness.

It is almost time for the release of Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World. This little fact has the Sullivans wildly excited. Look at the air my family is getting. How is it that I am feet taller than my girls, and I can only get inches from the ground?

The star of book one in the Gutsy Girls series is Gladys Aylward. Do you know Gladys? Each book in this picture book series will focus on a different woman who lived big for God.

There’s a secret I am not sharing on social media yet, but if you order Gutsy Girls by 9/25/2015, you will be entitled to some shockingly fabulous freebies. ‘Tis true. Shockingly fabulous, indeed. Here’s a preview of one of the freebies. Oh so pretty, printable conversation cards to get the girls in your life talking, dancing, singing, and immitating a confused chicken. Gabfest Coversation Cards = nonstop giggling, and they are free, free, free for those who order Gutsy Girls before 9/25/2015.

Stop by on Monday to get details on how-to receive your goodies.

And now, for a collection of fabulousness found around the web. I dig and find the good stuff and save you the work! Here we go.

This is a good way to spend six minutes because people are already calling us cyborgs. I know, I know. It makes me uncomfortable too. This short segment is about how our interaction with screens is changing us.
Memorizing scripture just got easier for kids (and us!).
A town’s monthly newspaper is published by an eight-year-old girl who carries a smart phone and rides around town on her bicycle while searching for the next big story.
A slide show of the contributions by women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). You know I love shouting about STEM.
If you have little ones at home or in your life, be sure to take a peek at the #KidsTalkJustice playgroups. Playgroups with a purpose.
Foodies, do you know about the Smitten Kitchen?

That’s all, friends. Have a wonderful weekend. I will see you Monday when I will share all about those shockingly fabulous freebies for those who order Gutsy Girls early. Happy Friday-ing!

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Published on September 18, 2015 05:16

Saturday Q and A and a Giveaway!

Question and Answer posts thrill me. Let’s catch up, shall we?

Reading: Lately, many of my writerly friends have been pubishing books. This is excellent news for you because I get to share new messages and beautiful stories. Brenda L. Yoder’s new release, Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All, contains a message women need to hear repeatedly. Live in the now, make ample room for Jesus, and resist society’s push to make busyness an idol. Brenda’s book is practical, interactive, and encouraging. Brenda is wise but never preachy, and she gently reminds readers of the importance of intentional living. If this sounds like a book for you (or someone you love!), scroll your little self down to the comments and tell me why you would love a copy.

“In the Western cultures, working equals worth, which equals worthiness. The idea that your worth is defined by doing something is a cultural principle, not a biblical one.” ~Brenda L. Yoder, Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All

Playing: With this cutie at a local animal shelter. How can you call time with this dog volunteering?

Listening: To “Open” by Rhye.

Watching: We have three months of free HBO. I don’t need to expand. I know you are feeling me.

Trying: To stay up later. How do you late night people do it? The only thing I want to do when I stay up late is eat cereal.

Cooking: Grilled chicken bacon sliders. The Pioneer Woman never ever lets me down.

Drinking: English Tea Shop White Tea. Is it weird that I like this tea because individual bags come in adorable triangle boxes?

Pinning: Images to go on my board entitled Bookish.

Doing: Behind the scenes work for the release of Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World (September 21, 2015). Stay tuned. If you preorder a book or order a book before September 25th, you will be awarded some shockingly fabulous, free loot.

Going: On fairy hunts in back of my house. When you have a daughter who is six-years-old, you get to hunt for fairies. I will let you know when we catch a fairy. They are fast little guys. Also, when you have a daughter who is six-years-old, you get breakfast in bed, and it looks like this:

Texting: Beverly Ann Wines. She is the illustrator of Gutsy Girls. Here she is working on a piece of shockingly fabulous loot we are giving away for the book release. Let me introduce you. Bev, I’d like you to meet everyone. Everyone, this is Bev. I know, I know, she does look sixteen.

Loving: Socality Barbie is an Instagram feed which pokes fun at the “authentic” selves we share on social media. This will leave you giggling.

Hating: That our summer series #StrongGirlsCan is ending. It’s not over yet. Not yet, but almost.

Smelling: Giant, weird, and super stinky mushrooms which are popping up all over my yard. How do they grow so fast overnight? They aren’t there in the evening and the next morning, poof! A giant, stinky mushroom. Mysteries of the South #321.

Thanking: God for a husband who cheers me on and also thanking God for the middle school cross country team which has been a positive experience for our oldest.

Considering: Purchasing a new Bible. Any favorites? Last year Genesis and Exodus feel out of my Bible. Now the entire Old Testament up to Ruth is missing. I am bad with change, but it may be time.

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Your turn! Tell me some of the things you have been considering, thinking, loving, or reading or better yet, tell me why you need Brenda’s book and about the busyness in your life. I will pick one lucky winner, and sweet Brenda will send you a copy.

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Published on September 12, 2015 05:35

#StrongGirlsCan: 7 Conferences for Moms and Daughters

If you are anything like me, your calendar is full, and you hear about great conferences too late to actually attend. Therefore, I’ve created a snazzy list of upcoming mother and daughter conferences around the US. If you have attended any of the events listed, I’d love for you to chime in about your experience. Also, if you know of any others I should add to the list, let me know!

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1. One Girl Conference. Sessions are separated into specific breakout sessions for tweens, teens, and moms. The purpose of One Girl Conference is to educate women on using their passions to serve God and provide worship, encouragement and motivation so they may be spurred to boldly change the way the face every day.

Date and Location: September 18th and 19th 2015, Bloomington, IN.

2. Inspired 31. Inspired 31 is a mother-teen daughter ministry, but it is also a ministry open to others who may include mothers who perhaps have no daughter of their own, mothers whose daughters are not currently teens, or teen girls looking for direction who do not have the opportunity to bring their mothers. It is a conference where teen girls can develop skills in partnering with their moms/mentors to take leadership in running a ministry benefiting other girls!

Location and Date: October 25, 2015, Camarillo Community Church, CA.

3. Polished Conference. A conference designed for young women grades 7-12 and their moms that examines self-worth, beauty, fashion, adversities, relationships, and purpose from a Biblical perspective.

Date and location: September 26th, Arden, NC.

4. T.E.A.M (Tweens Engaging Actively with Moms) Grace. Moms and tween girls come together for a weekend-long event that is packed with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, high-energy worship, and camp-style activities such as raffles, goodie bags, a mom/daughter paint war, photo booth, campfire, and concert.

Date and Location: March 13th-15th 2015, New Braunfels, TX.

5. Daring Daughters. The goal for Daring Daughters is to inspire Christian women and teenage girls for local and global missions. Life-impacting, leader-intensive, and encouraging.

Date and Location: February 15th and 16th, Orlando, FL.

Conference with multiple locations and times throughout the US

6. Secret Keeper Girl. Secret Keeper Girl events are designed for tween girls ages 8-12. Girls younger than eight will enjoy the show, but some teaching elements might be over their head.

Date and location: Multiple conference locations and dates. Check site for location nearest you.

7. Girls of Grace. A three and a half hour, one night experience for teen girls. Dynamic speakers and life-changing truth.

Date and location: Dates to be announced soon.

Your turn. Do you have any experience with the conferences listed above? Let’s hear it! Do you have any conferences I should add to the list? Tell, tell.

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Have you missed one of the posts in our #StrongGirlsCan series? Let me catch you up. We’ve talked about navigating social media, girls in STEM, toys that empower girls, confidence, dating, friendship, apps, prayer, 88 acts of independence and adventure, toys that inspire girls, and of course, there was our #StrongGirlsCan photo contest winner.

Let’s stay connected! Instagram, FB, Twitter.

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Published on September 01, 2015 04:46

Strong Girls Pray

Welcome to our summer series, Strong Girls Can. This is a series for moms and daughters where we talk about raising strong, confident, godly girls. I am thrilled you are here!

In the past few months, we have discussed social media, toys, books, friends, STEM, confidence, apps, and dating. We’ve talked about photos which represent strong girls, 88 acts of adventure, and today we are talking about prayer.

For anyone whose prayer life needs a jolt or if you are looking for better ways to teach your kids about prayer, this post is for you.

Our special guest is Amelia Rhodes. Amelia is a talented writer, gifted speaker, and a mom who believes strong girls pray. Be sure to check out Amelia’s prayer cards. If you would like a set for your family, be sure to interact on my FB page or in the comment section below. I will pick one person, and Amelia will send you a set of your own. Insert cheering!

Here’s Amelia.

“Mama, sometimes I feel bad when I pray.” My ten-year-old daughter looked up at me from her bed with wide, brown eyes, filled with concern.

I sat down on the edge of her pink bed in the midst of the stuffed animals and dolls and looked deep into those eyes. “Why is that, sweetie?”

“Well, sometimes it kind of feels like I’m treating Jesus like my slave. I just ask him to do stuff all the time. Could you teach me to pray?”

It’s one of those moments in a child’s spiritual journey that every parent dreams of: they want to learn and grow and start making this relationship with God their own. It’s a thrilling and humbling moment.

“Absolutely, sweetheart.”

That evening I walked her through the A.C.T.S. of prayer. It’s a popular acronym to prompt your prayer life, and I have no idea where it originated. I’ve been using this in my prayer life since I was a tween, and recently read about it again in both Bill Hybels’ book Too Busy Not to Pray and Timothy Keller’s book Prayer.

A – Adoration. This is when we tell God the things we appreciate about Him, or what we think is awesome about Him. Stuff like: “Wow, what an amazing sunset You gave us this morning. You’re so creative, God! You’re so patient with me and loving and kind.”

C- Confession. This is where we tell God the things we’ve done that we know are wrong. Like the time when I thought those horrible thoughts about the other girl at school, or I lied about having my homework done so I could go play, or how sometimes the way I treat my siblings. We confess not to feel bad about what we’ve done wrong. We confess to take the load off our heart. There’s something cleansing about confession, like taking a nice hot shower after we’ve gotten all hot and sweaty and dirty from playing outside. Confession is like a hot shower for our hearts.

T – Thanksgiving. This is often the easy part! Just tell God thanks for all the things you’ve seen Him do lately, or the gifts in your life. Thanks for the new friend I made at school. Thanks for the teacher who wants to help me learn, even though she might be a bit strict. Thanks for the good food we had for dinner tonight. Thanks that I have a roof over my head.

S- Supplication. That’s a big word for letting God know our needs, or what we’d like to see Him do for our friends and family. This is where we ask God to help our family member who has cancer, and for help to remember everything we studied for the big test tomorrow. We can ask for help being more patient with our siblings or how to be kind and show God’s love to the kid at school who’s not very nice. Just because we ask God for things, doesn’t mean that He will do exactly what we hope He will. But we can be sure that whatever His answer is, that He will help us and be with us.

There are two other things I’ve found that have helped me get stronger in prayer over the years.

The first is a prayer journal. Sometimes I get distracted when I’m praying in my head or even out loud. But if I’m writing things down, I seem to stay focused a lot longer. It also is really cool to look back at those pages a few months later to remember what you were thanking God for and asking for His help with and see how He answered.

The second thing is a set of prayer cards from A to Z. Last year I was feeling overwhelmed by all the hurting people around me. Every time someone told me they had cancer or were having trouble with something, and asked me to pray, I just wanted to cry. And sometimes, I just plain forgot to pray. So I made a list from A to Z of all the hurts I could think of — things like adoption, bullying, cancer, and depression, all the way to zero prejudice. Then I started writing down people’s names to pray for. Other people loved the idea, so I had some cards made up. They are available for a small price at www.prayatoz.com. If you sign up for my e-mail list, I’ll even send you a free e-book of stories where friends shared their stories on each topic and how you can pray for people going through these things.a

Amelia Rhodes lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. She is the author of Isn’t it Time for a Coffee Break, the creator of the Pray A to Z cards, and is featured in 4 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She works part time for the nation’s longest national scenic trail, which is pretty cool and runs right through her small town. Contact her online here, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

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Published on August 24, 2015 04:00

Strong Girls Need Strong Friends

Sixth grade was miserable.

I started a new school, which felt more like moving to a new country. Forget learning. I devoted all of my class time to worrying about how I would spend recess.

Would the kids ignore me? Would I have to pretend my shoes were really interesting and stare at them for twenty minutes like I did the day before? Would my hair, which I hoped would look like Farrah Fawcett’s but in reality looked like a giant brown bowl on top of my head, ever grow out so I could feather it?

The answers were yes, yes, and yes.

But both hair growing and friendship making takes time, and I couldn’t wait. This was the situation, people.

So, I picked a girl in my class and went after her friendship, hard. That girl was Krista LaVinge.

Krista was a perfect friend candidate for many reasons. First, Krista had feathered hair (hello, bonus). Second, Krista knew how to laugh (it was a loud-throw-your-head-back-kind-of-laugh). Finally, Krista told me she could tell my hair would look a lot better when it grew out (someone who saw potential in my hair!).

The week after I befriend Krista, she invited me to her grandmother’s. When we arrived at her grandmother’s tiny apartment, her kitchen table was full of cookies and crafts. Grandmas are wise. They know in sixth grade, cookies and crafts solve most problems.

In a very short time, Krista’s friendship changed me.

As an adult, friendships aren’t easy. For me, different time zones, busy kids, and full schedules make friendships seem like a nice add-on in life, but not a necessity. This is totally false. It’s false because cookies and crafts don’t solve problems any more.

Look at this motley crew. They have big smiles and much wit, and best of all, they are mine.

These women will lip sync any Top 40 hit past or present, love hard, and wear liquid eyeliner. They show strength I envy and wisdom I learn from. They risk and succeed and risk and fail, and I need them.

Let’s make a pact to do two things today.

First, let’s remind our friends we need them. Call them. Text them. Write them. Or is better yet, is there someone you long to know better? Reach out. Make yourself vulnerable. Take a cue from Krista and tell your future friend that you see potential in her bad haircut.

Second, let’s pray for our children’s friends. Let’s remember the stress a new school year can bring and that remind ourselves one solid friendship can change everything. Let’s pray good friends come into our kids’ lives.

Your turn. Do you have a special friend who came into your life at a perfect time? Do you have a group of friends who support and love you? Do you pray for your children’s friends?

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Have you been following along with our #StrongGirlsCan summer series? Don’t miss past posts!

Are you on Instagram? Let’s connect.

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In other news, the final samples of illustrations for book one of my Gutsy Girl picture book series just made their way to my mailbox. Stay tuned.

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Published on August 18, 2015 05:30

Strong Girls Can: Picture Books That Inspire Girls

In the Sullivan house, our girls like to build new inventions out of string and rocks, and we like worms (at least the six-year-old does). We have a tae kwon do, yellow belt who resides in a room with pink polka dots on the walls, and a girl who marches out to the front porch every morning to stare at the moths still lingering around. We have a daughter we have nicknamed Safety Joe and another daughter who would throw herself from a moving car.

The interests of my girls can be captured in the pages of picture books. That’s the beauty of books. It’s the idea that there are others like you, others who share your same interests and live out the dreams bouncing around your head. Girls who may not be real but who have stories readers like to imagine for themselves.

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Welcome to our #StrongGirlsCan summer series! It’s a place where we talk about all things girl. This week’s focus is books that inspire girls. Read on to find out about some of the Sullivan girls’ favorite picture book characters (who also happen to be strong girls!).

Strong girls build. Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty. This gem recently found its way into our mailbox and heart (thank you, Aunt Sara!). The main character, Rosie, builds a heli-o-cheese-copter that only flies for a moment and then crashes to the ground. Rosie declares her invention a failure, but her aunt deems the heli-o-cheese-copter a success.

Strong girls take tae kwon do. JoJo’s Flying Sidekick by Brian Pinkney. JoJo’s family tries to give her advice on how-to earn her yellow belt. Yellow belts = very big deal!

Strong girls study butterflies. Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Allan Madison. Perfect if you have a butterfly lover in your house—we do, we do! This sweet book about everything butterfly and adorable Velma Gratch, will be an instant hit.

Strong girls make mistakes. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein. Great read for all budding perfectionists. Beatrice never ever makes mistakes, until she does, eeek.

Strong girls keep going, even when it is hard. Keep Climbing, Girl by Beah E. Richards. Important message about preserving accompanied by gorgeous illustrations.

Strong girls love worms. Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer by Carol Brendler. Winnie Finn loves wiggly earthworms and wants to enter one in Quincy County Fair.

Strong girls take risks. Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee by Marrisa Moss. In the 1920s and 1930s, girls didn’t fly, but that didn’t stop Maggie Gee from dreaming of the wide-open skies.

Strong girls play baseball. Dirt on Their Skirts: The Story of the Young Women Who Won the World Championship by Doreen Rappaport and Lyndall Callan. Yay for the women athletes who have encouraged us throughout the years! This book is based on memories of actual players from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Your turn. Do you have a favorite picture book character?

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Published on August 11, 2015 06:33

Strong Girls Can: 6 Toys That Empower Girls

Yesterday, my daughter and I cleaned out her closet, and I came to two conclusions. First, bins don’t always solve organizational issues (what?) and second, each Disney princess is fully represented in our stash of toys (again, what?).

When I think about our toy buying habits, I think of these words: minimal purchases and educational focus. I don’t think of pink plastic pieces, several sizes of the same fuzzy cat, and a myriad of purses.

While I imagine our family’s toys balanced with a variety of playthings, hand-me-downs from friends, outgrown dress-up materials from neighbors, and the more-than-occasional girly Halloween costume has left us heavy on toys that focus on being instead of creating, discovering, and building.

This is a code red.

Silently, I commit to stock-up on cardboard boxes, ban relatives from all pink purchases, invest in magnets and books on fossils.

If only toy manufacturers could create toys that would celebrate girls and encourage adventure, independence, and creative thinking. I stroll the toy aisle of a big box store and see nothing of interest, but one stop at a local toy store leaves me both hopeful and excited.

There are toys which empower girls, they just aren’t always found on an endcap of a chain store. A little extra digging may be required.

6 Toys That Empower Girls

1. Geek and Company Science by Thames and Kosmos. Make glow sticks, create a crystal nightlight, or grow a friend with green grass for hair. The mission of Thames and Kosmos is improving informal science education by creating high-quality science and technology related educational products, and they have nailed it. Ages 8 and up.

2. Action Figures by IAmElemental. In 2013, IAmElemental was founded, by two moms who were frustrated by what they saw in the toy market for girls. In 2014, the company’s Kickstarter campaign was funded in just two days. People from every state and six continents were happy to be a part of a company designing healthy female action figures. Ages 4 and up.

3. Architetrix Construction Set by Hape. Seventy-five bamboo rods plus twenty-two, seven point rubber connectors equal endless building opportunities for both kids and adults. Ages 4 and up.

4. Spooner Boards. In 2007 the first Spooner Board was accidentally cut out of a dog igloo at Old Town Surf Shop in San Diego. The Spooner Board looks like a large skateboard minus the wheels plus an easier learning curve. Ages 2 and up.

5. Two Bros Bows. Watch out, Katniss! These kid-friendly bow and arrows were designed by two brothers ages 10 and 7. Handcrafted and individually made bows, arrows, and quiver bags promote adventure and independence. Ages 6 and up.

4. Goldie Blox. Meet kid inventor, Goldie. Did you know eighty-six percent of the world’s engineers are men? The people of Goldie Blox intend to do something about it: get girls building. Goldie Blox offers kits which encourage girls to design movies, parade floats, dunk tanks, spinning machines. The Goldie Blox line even includes a girl action figure who ziplines. Goldie Blox also offers FREE online resources such as links to their app, Pinterest boards focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and a music video which encourages girls to keep on building until “lightening strikes.” Ages 6-10.

5. Lottie by Arklu. Winner of over nineteen awards, Lottie stands out for a variety of reasons including her child-like body, her age-appropriate clothing and interests, and Lottie doesn’t need anyone to hold her up. She can stand on her own, thank you very much. Ages 3-9.

6. Squigz Benders by Fatbrain Toys. Push, stick, build, create. Push the squishy suction cups down on any hard surface, and let the fun begin. The sound these little guys make as you remove them from each other or hard surfaces is almost as much fun as the building. Ages 36 months to 12 years.

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Your turn: What are some of your favorite toys that empower girls?

A great big thanks to my favorite, local toy store, Dancing Bear Toys for helping me compile this list. If you are a WNC resident, you must shop Dancing Bear. The selection is fantastic and the staff is friendly and knowledgable.

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If you are just know joining our series, yay! Glad to have you. Don’t miss out on past posts.

#StrongGirlsCan: Use STEM to Make a Difference

#StrongGirlsCan: 88 Acts of Independance and Adventure

#StrongGirlsCan: Navigate Social Media

#StrongGirlsCan: 10 Apps Tweens Dig and You Will Too

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Let’s connect on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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Published on August 03, 2015 04:00

#StrongGirlsCan: 6 Toys Which Empower Girls