About the imaginary world of Giggles and Chisels

The picture of four wooden puppets, in awe in front of a young child's drawing — Rosie’s imaginary world

Giggles and Chisels, LLC, grew out of an imaginary world that Rosie, my daughter, and I created when she was little. The giggles in her drawings met the chisels in my workshop, adding a new, wooden dimension to her imaginative universe. Rosie’s world was a playful blend of American words and French culture, shaped by her French-American roots. While her early childhood years have since passed, my heart remains deeply rooted there.

Here is a brief glimpse into each of Rosie’s four Lands. Many of the French words she invented or loved have stayed with me—and I have included translations and audio pronunciations, so you, too, can step more fully into our whimsical world.

Maurice, Mme Rigolotte, Petite Clothilde, and Pierre-Qui-Roule, the wooden Fellows from our team, mysteriously wandered from Rosie’s Lands to join me in creating our Petit Refuge, but I expect they will occasionally return to reconnect with their roots : )

The picture of a child's drawing, representing a person in black and white — A Tout Triste

The Land of Bumps and Lumps and the Tout-Triste

The “Tout-Triste” (quite sad) live in the grey Land of Bumps and Lumps, surrounded by rocks. They enjoy chicken carrot soup, and strawberry juice, but usually stay away from red apples and salad juice. Hugs can make them feel less morose, but nobody should know.

This is where Maurice comes from, popping out on posts, as morosity is a state of life. He may also tag along as we reflect on deeper topics such as death or poverty that can deeply affect a child’s development or be naturally raised by young children as they explore the world.

A child's drawing, with a person in rainbow color — A Rigolo

The Land of Seven Colors and the Rigolos

“Rigolos” is a common word used by young children in France to talk about anything that is funny (Oh! C’est trop rigolo! That’s so funny!). The Rigolos live under books in the Land of Seven Colors. They love broccoli with a drop of chocolate milk and green apple juice but refuse to drink pea soup and potato juice. Their favorite activity is to make people laugh, but they also enjoy visiting the Land of Leaves and Bushes and watching streams after a storm. They are intimidated by princesses, wondering how to make them laugh.

Our colorful and joyful Mme Rigolotte comes from the Land of Seven Colors, tagging along as we explore lighter topics, such as learning through play.

A child's drawing, with a person in blue, purple and dark pink — A Doudou Tout Doux

The Land of Smooths and Mellows and the Doudou-Tout-Doux

The “Doudou Tout Doux” are dreamers. Their Land is full of fluffy clouds, in a color theme of blues and purples. “Doudou”, is a lovey, in French, and “tout doux” means very soft. They love tomato ice cream and candy-from-the-yellow-bag juice but are not so keen on white chocolate milk. Dreamers, they can spend hours reading, coloring and drawing, and hence, love visiting the Land of the Rainbows. Sometimes, they become paler when people around them get upset.

Our own Doudou-Tout-Doux, Petite Clothilde, tags along as we dream about a world deeply caring for all young children.

A child's drawing, with a person in nature-related colors — A Mousse Mousse

The Land of Leaves and Bushes, and the Mousse-Mousse

The “Mousse-Mousse” (Moss-moss) lives in the greeny Land of Leaves & Bushes, in mushroom-shape house. Bacon and carrot sandwich with a glass of watermelon milk is their favorite meal, much more appreciated then a plate of potatoes with cream cheese on the top. But if they had to choose, they could eat candies all day.

This is the Land of Pierre-Qui-Roule, tagging along as we go outside and explore outdoor learning. He also likes to remind us to stay connected to Mother Earth, and to hug a tree from time to time : )

How to pronounce Tout Triste