My co-creator, Gilbert, Arizona, aerospace engineer Chad Hanstedt, has had a lifelong love affair with restoring old jeeps, a hobby that melds with his other creative pursuits such as playing guitar, producing videos, and now writing children’s books in the Stanky & Cece Adventure series.
Both Stanky & Cece are real “characters” in Chad’s life. Stanky is one of his projects, a 1988 Jeep Wrangler that he nicknamed because it reeked of an unknown aroma when he first purchased it. Cece is a failed foster dog who was brought into the family by Chad’s daughter. The family has recently expanded to include Madison, who is Cece’s “mini-me.”
The stories of Stanky & Cece began forming as Chad was tinkering with Stanky, with Cece begging for his attention. The idea became so insistent that Chad, who had no experience writing children’s books, reached out to me after our mutual friend, Angie Callen, founder of Career Benders, suggested we team up. As we brainstormed, we created the story to have Stanky, a curious and naïve jeep, and his four-legged best friend, Cece, a rambunctious and sensitive rescue pup, learn about respecting boundaries, taking responsibility, and making amends.
Once our first manuscript was polished, we began searching for an illustrator. We scoured Instagram and came upon James Koenig, founder of Freelance Fridge, who is coincidentally also a Gilbert, Arizona, resident. He agreed to join the team, along with his colleague Jacob Gray. Soon, after, our characters came to life and our first book was born.
In Stanky & Cece: Break the Rules, the best friends head out for an outing in the woods, where one bad decision lands them into trouble – creating havoc for a family of rabbits. Ultimately, Stanky and Cece learn a valuable lesson about making good choices, apologizing for their mistakes, and taking responsibility to fix what they destroyed.
Chad has been a single dad for nineteen years after losing his wife to cancer shortly after the birth of his daughter. He is passionate about teaching children old-fashioned values often depicted through his favorite childhood TV show, The Andy Griffith Show.
“Stanky and Cece are on a mission to assist parents, grandparents, teachers, and counselors to encourage children to choose values that are important to them, distinguish between right and wrong, and build confidence,” explains Chad. “And most importantly, respect themselves and others by making healthy decisions.”
Anne Marie Nantais, a former elementary school teacher, purchased Stanky & Cece: Break the Rules for her nephews. At a family gathering, she overheard her nephews bickering, and her sister-in-law piped up with, “What would Flatbed Fred say?” At that point, the boys peacefully resumed playing. Flatbed Fred is Stanky’s grandpa, a calm and wise presence in the duo’s lives – and in the lives of Stanky & Cece’s young audience.
I’ve had the experience of seeing the reaction of our young audiences at school visits, where my life partner, Reggie McDowell (aka the voice of Flatbed Fred) comes along. Children and teachers alike are entertained and mesmerized by the stories.
Reggie and I traveled to Evergreen, Colorado, after my nephew, Spencer Sparrow, introduced us to Kirstin Pulioff, a Digital Teacher Librarian. The students from pre-K to 5th grade were drawn into the stories, as well as the interactive Q&A after. Pulioff said, “Not only did Kathy Sparrow excel in engaging the students, but she also left a lasting impact on our educators. Her insights into fostering a love for reading and writing were inspiring and provided practical strategies that our teachers can implement in the classroom. The collaborative atmosphere she created encouraged meaningful dialogue, leaving our staff feeling invigorated and motivated.”
My granddaughter’s second-grade teacher at Longfellow Spanish Immersion Magnet School in San Diego, Ms. Alicia Sandoval, asked if I could do a workshop for the second graders. Of course, I said yes, and then I panicked. I teach adults at the university level. But ideas soon floated in, and I invited the eight-year-olds to create possible new characters for the upcoming books in the series. Their enthusiasm rippled through the classroom, and I stayed longer than expected. I just couldn’t shut them down. Lunchtime approached, and I left a glowing heart. I was so grateful to open the window to possibility for them.
At the end of that day, Ms. Sandoval shared, “You truly made the writing process come alive for our students! Thank you for taking our students ‘behind the scenes’ with Stanky and Cece and for showing them how the writing process works for a children’s book author. The collaboration piece seemed to really click with them. After you left, students continued to collaborate on their stories and character development for a solid hour and a half. I had to pull them away from their work! (What??)”
This was particularly meaningful. I was told by my high school guidance counselor that I’d never be a writer, and I am. Not only that, but I can also inspire aspiring authors and creators through these stories. These young people were given the chance to believe in themselves and take risks in their creations.
Chad and I have also penned Stanky & Cece: Out of Control, where Stanky and Cece are eager to join their friends at the river for a day of fun. Unfortunately, things get out of control when Stanky makes a decision that would make Cece happy – but he knows it isn’t right for him. Stanky learns to differentiate between the voice in his mind that seeks the approval of his friends and the voice in his heart that knows the best decision –– for himself, which ultimately is the best for others.
One grandparent with a seven-year-old autistic granddaughter recently shared, “At times, she can be in her own little world, but when Grandma pulls out Stanky and Cece, it’s definitely a fun time. It’s one of the few books we have where she will hang onto every word and repeat so many of the phrases she hears when we read it to her!”
The Stanky & Cece Adventure series, which now includes a coloring and activity book, introduces kids ages 3-8 to exploring nature and forming a foundation of strong values. These books, available in English and Spanish, can be read aloud for story time or enjoyed as an independent.
What’s to come for Stanky & Cece Adventures? We’re working with our Executive Producer, Monica Joy, to bring an animation series to life so we can touch the hearts and minds of even more children.
