We hope you've had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thoughts turn to Christmas and we'd like to help get a copy of The Adventures of Hannah the Dog into the hands of the youngsters in your life! It's really perfect for any trips in the car or for calming down before bedtime or nap time.
For Black Friday, we are discounting the Deluxe Edition CD by 30%! The cost is $7.67 + S/H. Not only do you get the cute artwork, but Hannah sends her very own pawtograph (autograph in dog terms).
The stories are recommended for children ages 3-8.
Visit our website's products page to order directly.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Hannahtales Website!
We have a beautiful new website at www.hannahtales.com up and running where you can order your copy of The Adventures of Hannah the Dog Deluxe CD! The deluxe CD includes full artwork front to back and on the CD itself, as well as an autograph from Hannah!
The website will also direct you to where you can purchase the stories or full album digitally on both iTunes and Google Play.
Still not sure if the Hannah the Dog stories are for your child? You can listen to the whole first episode for free on the website and preview the other five stories.
If your child loves Hannah the Dog stories and wants to see pictures and learn about the real inspiration behind these tales, the website is the perfect place to go!
The website will also direct you to where you can purchase the stories or full album digitally on both iTunes and Google Play.
Still not sure if the Hannah the Dog stories are for your child? You can listen to the whole first episode for free on the website and preview the other five stories.
If your child loves Hannah the Dog stories and wants to see pictures and learn about the real inspiration behind these tales, the website is the perfect place to go!
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| Deluxe CD |
Friday, October 21, 2016
Christmas is coming!!!
Looking for a great gift for the youngster in your life? Hannah the Dog stories are available to purchase digitally through iTunes (click here for link) and Google Play (click here for link), and physical CDs are available on Amazon (click here for link) or you can order a deluxe CD from us with cute artwork and an autograph from Hannah! It's great to listen to in the car while driving around town or long road trips with stories averaging around 10 minutes. They make great nap time/bedtimes stories too!
Saturday, October 15, 2016
The Literacy Benefits of Listening
My long term goal is to get the Hannah the Dog stories into a book format, not just audiobook. Until I can get illustrations completed, we have the stories available in audio.
Why listen to stories? As a teacher, I know how important it is to get kids eyes on paper reading and improving their reading skills. I will also tell you as a teacher, that listening comprehension is also very important. Listening is a skill that also takes work. After spending hours in my car with all the long commutes I used to do, I found listening to podcasts a beneficial way to kill the time, and actually help it not seem so long. In fact, when you really get into the story you are listening, you might find yourself wanting a longer commute! You might just find these stories help your children enjoy the commute in your car a little more, too, while working on listening comprehension!
Below is a great article from Scholastic on the benefits of listening:
The Literacy Benefits of Listening: Use audio books to bring life and depth to your child’s reading experience.
Why listen to stories? As a teacher, I know how important it is to get kids eyes on paper reading and improving their reading skills. I will also tell you as a teacher, that listening comprehension is also very important. Listening is a skill that also takes work. After spending hours in my car with all the long commutes I used to do, I found listening to podcasts a beneficial way to kill the time, and actually help it not seem so long. In fact, when you really get into the story you are listening, you might find yourself wanting a longer commute! You might just find these stories help your children enjoy the commute in your car a little more, too, while working on listening comprehension!
Below is a great article from Scholastic on the benefits of listening:
The Literacy Benefits of Listening: Use audio books to bring life and depth to your child’s reading experience.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
CDs are available on Amazon!
Hey everyone!
Physical CDs containing the complete set of six stories are available through Amazon! They are great for listening to in the car or playing at bedtime. I don't know how many times I listened to these driving my nieces around. When they'd spend the night, this was their bedtime story choice and they'd fall asleep to them. They each have their favorite story. It warms my heart :)
Click HERE to go to the page on Amazon where you can purchase.
Physical CDs containing the complete set of six stories are available through Amazon! They are great for listening to in the car or playing at bedtime. I don't know how many times I listened to these driving my nieces around. When they'd spend the night, this was their bedtime story choice and they'd fall asleep to them. They each have their favorite story. It warms my heart :)
Click HERE to go to the page on Amazon where you can purchase.
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| This is Hannah's favorite bedtime story! |
Monday, October 3, 2016
What is the REAL story about Hannah?
Hannah and I met in December of 2008. I had finally purchased my own little home and so it was time to get a dog. I love all kinds of dogs, but I really wanted to get a shelter dog because there are so many dogs out there who need a home and need love. Without homes, these dogs can't survive. So, I began to look. I went to a pet fair where I did fall in love with this Australian shepherd mix (a favorite breed of mine), but I just wasn't ready to make a final decision. I walked around more and even went to the area where they had the kennels with dogs behind these fences looking sad and miserable. It almost broke my heart (if you know me, you know I will cry at any sad animal story...in fact I refuse to watch movies if there is any sad ending with a dog). I went back to see about Dallas, the aussie mix, but he had been adopted out already. I left the pet fair without a dog...but I wasn't really ready to commit just yet anyway since I hadn't really settled into my new home yet.
I found Petfinder online and began to scroll through available dogs on there. I had certain criteria, one of which was an adult dog. I didn't want to deal with house training a dog. Another criteria was not so much shedding and medium/large sized. I found a page for Hannah that labeled her as a German Shepherd/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix about 3 years old (yeah...I clearly did not know about German Shepherds and their notorious shedding). She had no tail, which was not something I liked. A dog should have a tail. After some thought, this was not a deal breaker and could even be a positive thing since she wouldn't be able to knock over glasses on the coffee table by wagging her tail. I thought she was cute and interesting, so I contacted the foster parent (yes! dogs need foster families so they don't have to stay in a shelter).
Here is the sad part of her story...Hannah was placed in a shelter in L.A. sometime around August. I don't know why. She remained there until her time was about to end. The workers thought she was too sweet of a dog for this to happen, so they contacted someone who loved dogs and she came down to rescue her and foster her. She was fostering Hannah, but there were other dogs in the picture and it was decided it was better for Hannah to go to another location that could board her. Eventually she was moved again to a trainer who worked with her and helped her out some with behaviors. At that trainer's business is where I first met Hannah.
Hannah had this adorable look on her face, her coloring was beautiful, and she was a little timid. I quickly fell for her. I went up to visit her a few more times and the trainer brought her down to me on January 8th, 2009. My roommate and I were very excited to get Hannah, but I remember feeling the gravity of the responsibility after I took ownership of her! Hannah absolutely stole my heart and became more than just some pet. You may say fur-baby, fur-child, whatever phrase you'd like, but for sure she is a part of the family.
Hannah is definitely adventurous and quirky. Her six different moves in a time span of three months may be why she has some separation anxiety when it comes to me. She doesn't like change much and feels the most comfortable at home or out on a trail. We are sure she has German Shepherd in her, but we really aren't so sure what the other parts of her are. We just know she is a lovable mutt. She definitely has the guard-dog tendencies of a German Shepherd, but she has a strong hunting instinct. She will chase anything that moves quickly - lizards, rabbits, squirrels, Fed-Ex trucks, UPS trucks, mail trucks... She has a fearlessness about her when the hunt is on and she is a very strong muscular dog. Her coat is thick in the winter and sheds like crazy in the summer. She has the most beautiful brown/black markings on her face and ears with a white patch coming up her chest. Her little bob where her tail used to be moves up and down in excitement when she greets someone. She is much older now, which is betrayed by all the white/gray hairs on her muzzle. She sleeps more these days, snoring away, but she still has these deep brown eyes that melt my heart every time. I am forever grateful to all the people who kept her alive and gave me the opportunity to love her. I understand even more the importance for people to rescue dogs from the shelters when I think of Hannah's real story.
Here is a favorite picture of Hannah and I taken out on a hike the last year, doing what we love best to do together.
I found Petfinder online and began to scroll through available dogs on there. I had certain criteria, one of which was an adult dog. I didn't want to deal with house training a dog. Another criteria was not so much shedding and medium/large sized. I found a page for Hannah that labeled her as a German Shepherd/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix about 3 years old (yeah...I clearly did not know about German Shepherds and their notorious shedding). She had no tail, which was not something I liked. A dog should have a tail. After some thought, this was not a deal breaker and could even be a positive thing since she wouldn't be able to knock over glasses on the coffee table by wagging her tail. I thought she was cute and interesting, so I contacted the foster parent (yes! dogs need foster families so they don't have to stay in a shelter).
Here is the sad part of her story...Hannah was placed in a shelter in L.A. sometime around August. I don't know why. She remained there until her time was about to end. The workers thought she was too sweet of a dog for this to happen, so they contacted someone who loved dogs and she came down to rescue her and foster her. She was fostering Hannah, but there were other dogs in the picture and it was decided it was better for Hannah to go to another location that could board her. Eventually she was moved again to a trainer who worked with her and helped her out some with behaviors. At that trainer's business is where I first met Hannah.
Hannah had this adorable look on her face, her coloring was beautiful, and she was a little timid. I quickly fell for her. I went up to visit her a few more times and the trainer brought her down to me on January 8th, 2009. My roommate and I were very excited to get Hannah, but I remember feeling the gravity of the responsibility after I took ownership of her! Hannah absolutely stole my heart and became more than just some pet. You may say fur-baby, fur-child, whatever phrase you'd like, but for sure she is a part of the family.
Hannah is definitely adventurous and quirky. Her six different moves in a time span of three months may be why she has some separation anxiety when it comes to me. She doesn't like change much and feels the most comfortable at home or out on a trail. We are sure she has German Shepherd in her, but we really aren't so sure what the other parts of her are. We just know she is a lovable mutt. She definitely has the guard-dog tendencies of a German Shepherd, but she has a strong hunting instinct. She will chase anything that moves quickly - lizards, rabbits, squirrels, Fed-Ex trucks, UPS trucks, mail trucks... She has a fearlessness about her when the hunt is on and she is a very strong muscular dog. Her coat is thick in the winter and sheds like crazy in the summer. She has the most beautiful brown/black markings on her face and ears with a white patch coming up her chest. Her little bob where her tail used to be moves up and down in excitement when she greets someone. She is much older now, which is betrayed by all the white/gray hairs on her muzzle. She sleeps more these days, snoring away, but she still has these deep brown eyes that melt my heart every time. I am forever grateful to all the people who kept her alive and gave me the opportunity to love her. I understand even more the importance for people to rescue dogs from the shelters when I think of Hannah's real story.
Here is a favorite picture of Hannah and I taken out on a hike the last year, doing what we love best to do together.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Episode 6 - Hannah Goes to Venice
As much as I would have loved the dogs to be involved in our actual proposal story, they were not. It's kind of fun to imagine what could have happened though!
Episode 6
The final story in this series finds Hannah and Nova traveling to Italy with their parents. When Nova’s dad unknowingly drops the engagement ring he has to propose to Hannah’s mom, the dogs have to find their parents in Venice and make sure the proposal happens!
Preview the story on iTunes
Episode 6
The final story in this series finds Hannah and Nova traveling to Italy with their parents. When Nova’s dad unknowingly drops the engagement ring he has to propose to Hannah’s mom, the dogs have to find their parents in Venice and make sure the proposal happens!
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| A darling creation of the gondola ride in Venice with the dogs made for our wedding cake topper. |
OR
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Episode 5 - Hannah the Red Nosed Rein-dog
Our first Christmas together, I took oodles of pictures of Hannah with reindeer antlers on. Hence, the inspiration for this episode...
Go to iTunes here for purchasing the story:
iTunes
OR here for streaming on Apple Music
Apple Music Streaming
Episode 5
It's the night before Christmas, but Santa has a problem. He turns to the fairy god-rabbit to help him, but the fairy god-rabbit also needs help. Who better to assist her than Hannah and Nova?
Go to iTunes here for purchasing the story:
iTunes
OR here for streaming on Apple Music
Apple Music Streaming
Monday, September 26, 2016
Episode 4 - Hannah Goes to the Farm
This is my personal favorite of the stories, and inspired by one of my favorite places, my grandmother's farm.
Episode 4
Now good friends, Hannah and Nova travel to a farm with their parents for a family reunion where they meet all kinds of farm animals. Hannah’s love of cheese makes her a little too curious about the cows and she finds herself the farthest she has ever been from her mommy!
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| Hannah the Cowdog |
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| Hannah's first trip to the farm |
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| Hannah in the pecan orchard Download here to preview on iTunes iTunes OR here for streaming on Apple Music Apple Music Streaming |
Friday, September 23, 2016
Episode 3 - Hannah Makes a Friend
At this point in my life, I had met my future husband, who had a dog named Nova. From here on out, Nova is Hannah's sidekick.
Episode 3
Hannah meets Nova, a bouncy little dog with one ear that flops down and a long tail, slightly curled at the end, while on a hike with their parents. Hannah is a bit shy and isn't too friendly with Nova until they get lost in the woods together. How will the two get back to their parents?
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| Nova, shortly after Hannah met her. |
Click here to preview on iTunes
OR
here to stream in Apple Music
Episode 2 - Hannah Goes for a Swim in the Ocean
In real life, I can't walk by a storm drain without Hannah shoving her head into the drain. I think all the smells and animals who like to live in those drains are what attracts her so much. It started me thinking, what if she fell down the drain...and then I wrote this story.
Episode 2
In this adventure, Hannah falls down a storm drain and gets carried into the ocean where she meets a sea turtle, Tatty. Tatty takes Hannah to meet her family on an island, where they enlist the help of dolphins to get her back to shore. The fairy god rabbit takes it from there.
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| I imagine this to look like the beach she returns to at the end of the story. |
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| Hannah playing in the surf at Laguna Beach |
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Episode 1 - Hannah Finds a Cave
This is the story that started it all off! I was actually sitting in a training to learn how to use Garage Band after work one day. We were supposed to say a line into the microphone on the computer. Well, what did I have to say that was interesting? Not much...so what is one of my favorite topics? Hannah. My dog. And so the first line was born. I couldn't stop there, and when I went home, I continued the story right on Garage Band without writing anything down (which means of course there is a high degree of silliness). I did use real inspiration for the story. Hannah really does love to chase rabbits. She really does love to stick her head into holes. She doesn't just put her nose in to smell. She dives in with all her strength, lightening speed, without regard for the consequences.
As fun and interesting as I find my dog, it always makes the story a little more interesting to have some magical characters and crazy circumstances. The rabbit she was chasing ends up being a fairy god-rabbit. This rabbit is there to make her dreams come true. And what do dogs love the most? You may think bones...but one thing you know, if you know Hannah, is that she actually loves cheese. The other thing you know is that Hannah is very attached to her mother. So, once this all heart and emotion driven dog comes down from her overpowering instincts, her first priority is to get back to her mother. How to do that when you are stuck in a cave? The fairy god-rabbit of course.
Add in some sound effects and background music, and the story takes on a life of its own.
This is the story that really just sets up the rest of the stories. Join Hannah in her adventures, making new friends, obsessing about cheese, and finding herself separated from her mother, all with the magical help of a fairy god-rabbit.
As fun and interesting as I find my dog, it always makes the story a little more interesting to have some magical characters and crazy circumstances. The rabbit she was chasing ends up being a fairy god-rabbit. This rabbit is there to make her dreams come true. And what do dogs love the most? You may think bones...but one thing you know, if you know Hannah, is that she actually loves cheese. The other thing you know is that Hannah is very attached to her mother. So, once this all heart and emotion driven dog comes down from her overpowering instincts, her first priority is to get back to her mother. How to do that when you are stuck in a cave? The fairy god-rabbit of course.
Add in some sound effects and background music, and the story takes on a life of its own.
This is the story that really just sets up the rest of the stories. Join Hannah in her adventures, making new friends, obsessing about cheese, and finding herself separated from her mother, all with the magical help of a fairy god-rabbit.
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| Hannah exploring her ridge |
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| Ready at a moment's notice to chase a rabbit (or any other darting creature) |
Click here to preview on iTunes
OR
here to stream on Apple Music
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The Adventures of Hannah the Dog
The Adventures of Hannah the Dog is a collection of six stories recorded with added background music and sound effects. They are available to purchase and download off of iTunes and Google Play. CDs with the whole collection can be purchased off of Amazon or deluxe edition with cute artwork and an autograph from Hannah is available to order directly from us. The full collection of stories is made up of the following:
Hannah Finds a Cave
Hannah Goes for a Swim in the Ocean
Hannah Makes a Friend
Hannah Goes to the Farm
Hannah the Red Nosed Rein-dog
Hannah Goes to Venice
Click here for preview on iTunes
OR
here to stream on Apple Music
Follow us on Instagram @adventuresofhannahthedog or on Facebook
Click here for preview on iTunes
OR
here to stream on Apple Music
Follow us on Instagram @adventuresofhannahthedog or on Facebook
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