The Penny Whistle Party Planner
Written: May 25 '05 (Updated May 26 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple enough to follow.
Cons: Sometimes a bit of over management.
The Bottom Line: This book is good for ideas and for basic planning. It's a bit over-managed but that's good in that all the bases are covered. You can use what you like.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: The Penny Whistle Party Planner Books |
I make parties happen for a living. I am booked by party planners for many different kinds of celebrations that are held at colleges, clubs, professional ball stadiums, state parks, restaurants and some of the finest hotels in the world.
Of all the parties I do, I find children seem to have the most fun at small parties that are held in their own homes and planned by them and the family. These also tend to be the most memorable. This does take a lot more commitment from a parent than just writing a check and asking someone else to do the work. One guide we have used in our home for ideas since the early 90s is The Penny Whistle Party Planner. The first Edition of this book, published by Simon and Shuster, came out in 1991. The authors Meridith Browkaw and Annie Gilbar put this book together to help simplify planning a home party for children ages 1-12, although they say children of all ages.
Direct from the pages of the book we learn a bit about the two.
Meredith Browkaw, A former teacher, mother of three, and wife of TV anchor Tom Brokaw, is the founder and owner of the Penny Whistle Toys stores, dedicated since 1978 to providing original, creative playthings. She lives in NYC.
Annie Gilbar, who is the mother of two, is the author of many books including 'Recipex' and is coauthor with Brokaw of the 'Penny Whistle Lunch Box Book' and the 'Penny Whistle Halloween Book'. She lives in LA and is editor-in-chief of 'LA Style Magazine'.
Jill Weber is the artist who designed and illustrated this book and the other titles just mentioned.
Getting things in Order
This book works in a very orderly way using calendars and check lists. It opens with a few pages just talking in general about how and why a family should plan the party. This book stresses the importance of getting both parents involved. The opening seems to be a slow-building, pep rally that gives the reasons that this kind of party is good for the child and family and then discusses expectations, opening gifts, planning ahead, guest lists, getting help (neighbors and relatives), giving a personal touch, dealing with siblings, age-appropriate themes, keeping down costs and much more.
The next section deals with Planning the Party. This includes Invitations, Decorations, Activities, Entertainment, Food, Party Favors and dealing with the unexpected.
Many times throughout the book the authors talk about how to make the best out of any problems that arise. They realize that all expectations cannot always be lived up to and that problems can creep in. I like that the authors address this and don't come across as the Martha Stewarts of Birthday Parties where everything MUST be "just right". Not that I have anything against Martha.
Parties for One, Two and Three Year Olds
The authors make it pretty clear that these first birthdays are more for the parents than the child. But what is so wrong with that? Parties are a celebration and to celebrate a new child in this world is what we can and should do.
Two and three year olds can help in planning a theme, perhaps Micky Mouse or other characters they know. Kids can also help pick colours. This section like the others talks about age appropriate parties and how to deal with children in planning. The authors also help give advice as to the planning and length of a party using short sections titled :
Keep it Small
Keep it Simple
Keep it Short
Make it Comfortable
Make it Easy and more.
You can see the authors personal experience come through in this planning chapter.
Great Ideas
This is the part of the book where many ideas for parties are given. Pen and pencil illustrations help liven up the pages that use just black print and red ink. Our kids would spend hours going through this paper-back book that measures about 8" x 11". That size makes it easy to see and exciting for the kids to examine the drawings and get ideas.
There are about two dozen party ideas with titles like:
Artist (Picasso) Party
Back to School (or school out) Party
Backwards Party,
Backyard Beach Party
Ballet Party
Baseball party
Cheerleading Party
Chefs in the Kitchen Party
Diner Party
Ghost Party
Many more follow in the book. Each one of these is given about six pages where the theme is first discussed and the party is broken up into a few "Stages". A favorite party that I have done is an Olympic Party. People always have fun with challenges and it doesn't always have to be the athletic child who wins everything because the kids should be placed into fairly even teams.
Though these "Stages" are written in easy to follow style and text, I'll give you the basics of the different "Stages". They do differ slightly depending on the needs of the particular party of choice.
Stage One: Check outside playing area. Will it suit needs? Can this be done indoors in case of rain?
Put Guest list together.
Make invitations. This stage will be more specific in giving ideas as to what the invite may look like. Keep with the theme, the Olympics. Maybe ribbons with names or Olympic ringed symbols can be used. Some simple drawings give ideas.
Stage Two: Send Invitations. Start collecting items for the games. Maybe this should be done two weeks before the party. The book goes on to discuss items that will enhance the feeling of the party. Plenty of ribbons, a whistle and stop watch.
The book gives some simple thought to types of games that can be played. It also has a drawing of a clip board showing teams and games to be played as a guide.
Stage Three: Call guests who did not respond. Make Banners. Get Flags. Organize the games. Be sure everyone who will be needed is aware of their assignments. Finalize a menu.
Stage Four:
A couple of days before make jello, cup cakes etc. so as to not put everything in one day.
On the party day have anyone involved over a bit earlier to finalize how the games will go. Have everything out, such as prize ribbons, clip boards, whistles for adults.
Then have the party and run the events. For this theme the book gives ideas as to what kind of games can be played. The book does this in all the chapters making it easy to understand the needs of the day and how to make it fun.
Food and More
There is much information about food suggestions for parties. Very specific recipes are given too. They give ideas for each type as well as suggestions for party favors that will go with the theme.
In Closing
I like that these parties do not have to cost much and that keeping expenses down is a consideration in the book.
This book can get a bit too detailed at times but it is easy to go through so there's no getting bogged down in useless information, in fact there are many good reminders and ideas throughout the book. I also like that they have little "Tip" balloons scattered through each section giving information like "Have the birthday child lead a parade for the opening and closing of the Olympics" Another states, "If you have a portable cassette player (CD Boom Box these days) have some Olympic theme music".
This kind of information is given for all the themes and there are reminders on how to keep your child involved. This 240 page book is easy to follow and chock full of good ideas. It's a book that kids will enjoy thumbing through many times during the year and help them and you make plans for home parties.
Games People Play A great book with terrific Party Game Ideas for all ages.
Recommended:
Yes
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