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Our Beloved Duo – Stanky, the Curious Jeep, and Cece, a Sensitive and Playful Rescue Pup Encourage Kids to Choose between Right & Wrong, Build Confidence, and Respect Others
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
Inspiring Aspiring Authors
About two weeks ago, “Flatbed Fred” and I read to the students at my granddaughters’ school. On the second day, when I was leaving the grounds, Abigail’s teacher, Srta. Sandoval asked me if I would visit their class. I didn’t even take a moment to say “yes.” So, a couple
It Takes a Village!
It Takes A Village As a single dad, Chad Hanstedt spent a lot of time reading to his daughter, which likely influenced him even thinking about writing for children. Yet, he knew he couldn’t do it alone. This African proverb – “It takes a village to raise a child –
Who are Stanky & Cece?
Stanky and Cece are real! They’re not just characters in a book. Co-creator Chad Hanstedt owns Stanky, a formerly run-down jeep, which he “crafted” with various parts from several models of jeeps. Cece was brought home as a foster by his daughter Olivia, and well, it was a failed experiment.
Welcome to Stanky & Cece Adventures!
Welcome to Stanky & Cece Adventures! Did you know you can help your children build confidence and make healthy decisions through the adventures of Stanky & Cece, a jammin’ jeep and a playful pup? Stanky and Cece are on a mission to assist children in developing their inner compasses, choose
Meet the Authors
Kathy Sparrow
Literary Midwife, Ghostwriter, and Bestselling Author
Kathy Sparrow is an award-winning author, screenwriter, ghostwriter, and publishing consultant who has been mentoring aspiring writers of non-fiction, fiction, and poetry for over two decades and writing professionally for three decades.
A university professor, she’s been on the faculty of National University, Southern New Hampshire University, the University of Texas-Pan American, and Pikes Peak Community College. She was recently named by LA Weekly as one of the “Top 15 Book Coaches to Watch in 2023. With a three-decade tenure in publishing, Kathy specializes in the areas of personal growth and wellbeing, leadership, and memoir.
Kathy is the co-author and project lead of Ignite Your Leadership: Proven Tools to Energize Teams, Fuel Momentum, and Accelerate Results. Her novel, The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout, is touted as the feminine version of A River Runs Through It. In addition to Stanky & Cece Adventures, one of her most recent projects is The Precipice of Life: Leadership and Personal Growth Insights from a Mountaineer’s Edge.
An avid fly fisher, hot indoor cyclist, and grandma to five creative grandchildren, she lives in Toluca Lake, California, with her partner. Find out more about Kathy at www.awritablelilfe.com and www.kathysparrow.com
Chad Hanstedt
Aerospace Engineer, Musician, Children’s Book Author
He is an aerospace engineer, who has worked on top-secret projects for many major companies in the industry, including Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. He holds a master’s in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a bachelor’s in manufacturing engineering, and an associate’s in manufacturing from Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Additionally, Chad is an accomplished guitarist and songwriter. He also is known for his photography and videography, particularly for musicians.
Chad was thrust into the world of single-parenthood when he was widowed shortly after his daughter’s birth 18 years ago and has been passionate about instilling a strong foundation of values for her ever since.
An avid Jeep enthusiast, Chad lives in Arizona and spends his time being a parent, playing music, engineering, and heading off on adventures with his jeeps––and Cece.Cece with his imagination and love of story.
He is an avid jeep enthusiast and an aerospace engineer, who was thrusted into the world of single-parenthood when he was widowed shortly after his daughter’s birth 16 years ago. Chad lives in Arizona and spends his time being a parent, playing music, “engineering,” and heading off on adventures with his jeeps—and Cece.