Welcome to Paisley's Playroom!
Hello and welcome!
I’m Paisley! I’m a filmmaker, artist, writer, newish parent, and overall creative human trying to live an artful life.
I started this blog to create a space where I could share my journey as I take steps toward living my dream life creating meaningful children’s programming.
Making children's media is a life-long journey that I've been working towards since I was a kid, with many side-quests and meandering paths to get there (Exhibit A: 10+ years in immersive media!)
I've always been passionate about creating inclusive and imaginative content for children and families, and have been recognized for my work in children's programming by the Fred Rogers Institute.
The time has come to make it happen!
Paisley's Playroom is peak into my creative process, the things that inspire me, and honest challenges as as I do the work and make the dream happen, with a toddler in tow!
Things I'm passionate about that I will share about here include:
- Building inclusive, feminist futures
- Protecting and honouring global children’s human rights
- Hands-on making and creating (hello Arts + Crafts!!)
- Imaginative thinking and artful living
- Making art + film, and supporting other humans with their creative process
- Imagination and play-based learning
- Recommending children’s literature and media while exploring low-screen parenting + trying out analog lifestyle (what say ye about the VHS in kitchen trend?)
If any of this resonates with you, I'd love you to join me on this journey!
Love,
Paisley
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Here are a few things I’m excited about right now:
Carousel Theatre for Young People's upcoming Fundraiser (tomorrow night!) STEP IT UP at Fluevog Shoes. – We are so fortunate to live walking distance to the theatre, and their incredible queer and inclusive programming for kids is inspiring. I hope I win the pair of Fluevogs!
Our family is attending our first B'nai mitzvah this weekend! So excited to celebrate with our family friends in Portland :)
This quote, shared with me by a children's media mentor: “
Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” E. B. White.
What's on our Book Shelf:
We carry a Santa sized sack of books home each week from the library for our two year old. The absolute winners of the week include:
Clifford the Big Red Dog (Norman Bridwell, 1963)
Great story, simple to read aloud, and funny to the two year old. Mid century illustrations that feel contemporary. A hit!
Mimi's pick: The Snatchabook (Helen Docherty, 2013)
This has quickly become a favourite for all of us to read before bed. Cute, charming illustrations and a feel-good story where the Snatchabook (a cute lil' guy who steals books through windows!) is redeemed in the end, and everyone gets their stolen books back!
Most gorgeous: The Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back (Jonathan Stutzman and Isabelle Arsenault, Candlewick Press, 2022)
An absolutely beautifully illustrated book with an inclusive and welcoming message. The more the merrier at Mouses travelling House!
What's on our screen?
ALL PINGU ALL THE TIME (okay, not all the time, but when the time is right!) We are deep in NOOT NOOT culture!
What's in the toy box this week?!
Mimi got this incredible Soft Goldilocks and the three bears playset for his 2nd birthday. It's been fun to act out the story in new ways, and incorporate other characters into the cozy cottage.
A mentor of mine told me recently, Boldness has genius in it. I'm taking that to heart and going boldly in the direction of my dreams. I hope you'll come along with me!
Hugs to you, wherever you may be!
Paisley