My Barrel of Monkeys Link: |
I always knew my grandfather invented Barrel of Monkeys, but, to be honest, that was the extent of my knowledge. When someone, a few years ago, asked me why my grandfather, Milton Dinhofer, wasn't on the game's Wikipedia game page, I decided to bring the game's page into the 21st century. In the process, my grandfather recounted the details of how Barrel of Monkeys came to market. He shared his original drawings, original game links, prototypes, press, royalty statements and other business-related documents, which had all been kept in a dusty box for too long. We realized 2015 would mark the game's 50th anniversary. It all started to seem like more than just a Wikipedia entry. TheToy Book (the leading toy industry magazine) published my story in their February/March print issue that year. It was a first-time telling of how the game came to market in early 1965. You can read an online, unedited version here.
Hasbro (the game's current parent company) wasn't even aware of the game's age. When we notified them, they did a birthday Facebook shout out to my grandfather and the game. Then, my grandfather's alma mater followed with an article about him and his many other cool inventions (including the first patented plastic twisted straw!). And, yes, we also updated the game's Wikipedia page. To see the many ways people are still inspired by the game, you can check out my Pinterest page here -Tracy Festivals & Readings: |
October 4 2015 Orange County Children's Book Festival Costa Mesa, CA info
January 8-12 2016 American Library Association Boston, MA
Midwinter Meeting & E xhibits
She Yelled at the Foreword's Indie Press Collective Booth
March 6 2016 St. Jude Medical Center's ShamRock'nRun Anaheim, CA info
Reading & Signing at Kids'nSmiles booth
April 9, 2016 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books Los Angeles, CA
SCBWI booth
April 18,2016 Studio Art Center/Maryland Institute College of Art Florence, Italy
January 8-12 2016 American Library Association Boston, MA
Midwinter Meeting & E xhibits
She Yelled at the Foreword's Indie Press Collective Booth
March 6 2016 St. Jude Medical Center's ShamRock'nRun Anaheim, CA info
Reading & Signing at Kids'nSmiles booth
April 9, 2016 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books Los Angeles, CA
SCBWI booth
April 18,2016 Studio Art Center/Maryland Institute College of Art Florence, Italy
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