You are in for a treat today! I am excited to welcome Danielle Santana from StorybookTree to my blog. I recently came across her Instagram account, and I absolutely love the products that she creates for families. I want to share with as many people as possible about her wonderful business.
Hi Danielle, I’m so glad you could join us today. I must say that I am a big fan of the products you offer. For those who are unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your business/blog/Instagram site?
I like to think of StorybookTree as a place where nature and creativity meet the magic of story-time. Here at StorybookTree, I hope to ignite the spark of reading in early learners – just as I did in my preschool classroom and with my own three children – by sharing with families quality picture books paired with fun, nature-based activities. What I have found is that families really do want to adventure together through the pages of books, and nature provides the perfect opportunity for a book adventure to begin!
Very intriguing! So tell us, what is at the heart of what you are doing?
The natural world is ripe for learning. That seed was planted in me from a very young age and continuously nurtured by my mom as I grew. Nature connects us all. In vigorous outdoor play, children learn to take risks, face challenges and solve problems. And as a teacher, every subject I wanted to teach could be found in nature: science, math, language arts, geography, social studies – and more! I would invite my children to learn about these academic subjects but in a subtle and very applicable way. Plus it’s fun to get outside! And looking back, this is really where the heart of StorybookTree was born!
I love that! I definitely agree that the outdoors offers a unique learning space, and kids definitely benefit from both playing and learning outside. How did you get started with your business? What specific steps did you take?
I first realized the power of story-time and it’s connection to nature when I read my children the book, Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. My children were completely captivated by the rhythm of the story and could positively see the adventure unfolding before them. When they asked for it again and again, I knew I had found a key that unlocked a very special door. So I created an activity (what would eventually become one of my printable storycrafts) to extend the lesson in the book out into nature. On our scavenger hunt I would subtly interweave the academic subjects into the nature lesson, creating meaningful, real-world connections.
Sounds fascinating, what type of connections do you mean?
We would look for shades of color, count pine cones and sort materials into categories; we would weigh the items we collected and draw pictures of what we observed. Seeing their faces light up when the children made a connection to the story were some of my favorite moments teaching.
I can picture the fun!
So next, my family and I moved, and my job position changed, but I knew I wanted to share my printable storycrafts with a wider audience. So I created StorybookTree on Instagram (found at @storybooktree) as a way to connect with others who have school-age children and who share a love of nature-based learning, beautiful picture books and hands-on activities. I am so thrilled to now have over 25 items in my small shop: (www.storybooktree.bigcartel.com) , including a printable storycraft to go with your beautiful book, Mindy: “Mouses Christmas Gift.” And, I am adding more Christmas items each week!
Oooh, how lovely! I am in love with this printable for Mouse’s Christmas Gift! What a sweet and charming craft. I hope many people will purchase and use it as they read the book. I am so honored that you made this. And more Christmas items yet to come this month?? How fabulous!! I will follow along on Instagram and watch as you unveil all of your wonderfully creative items. So fun!
I am curious, as you have developed your business, what has been the biggest personal benefit or reward? Has anything surprised you along the way?
Instagram has been a fantastic vehicle to drive traffic to my small shop www.storybooktree.bigcartel.com by providing a platform for getting my printable storycrafts into the hands of a wider audience, but it has come with a few surprises along the way. I had to learn everything from scratch, like what is an algorithm? And how does it work? How do I install a pop-up? And . . . what’s a cookie? I did a lot of research just on terminology alone! But this is where that seed my mom planted in me long ago for having a lifelong love of learning comes in. I continue to learn something new everyday and absolutely love it!
You are so right that all of us need to have a willingness to grow and learn new things! I have found that to be true in my job as a teacher and as a writer. We can NEVER stop learning!
Danielle, this has been such an interesting and enjoyable chat, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to talk with me. Are there any final thoughts you would want to leave us with?
I believe books are meant to be adventured through, and now more than ever, families are discovering the important role that books play in their lives. Stories provide an escape when we physically can’t go somewhere, they introduced us to characters that become friends we love, and they foster a bonding opportunity for children and their families at story-time. I am so grateful for my StorybookTree community – a place where we can adventure together through the pages of books!
I couldn’t agree more! I wish you all the best, Danielle, and applaud the wonderful products you are creating for families everywhere. I wish you all the best!
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