Sunday, May 30, 2010

If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands!

If You're Happy and You Know It is another book with CD that I ordered this weekend during the Barefoot Books sale - check out this animated version of the book to see why I already know I'm going to love it!





As the white mother of a brown child, it's especially important to me that my daughter has access to books and art that represent a positive image of people who look like her.  One of the reasons I am really impressed by Barefoot Books in general is that it's so easy to find books with diverse characters, and this book is no exception.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Show me yours, I'll show you mine

I am so excited about the huge sale going on at Barefoot Books this weekend - I've had my eye on a few things and this was the perfect opportunity to stock up on some new books!

Here are some of the things I ordered:



Since Elfe likes Bear in a Square so much, I decided we needed to read about ALL of Bear's adventures.  Bear at Home, Bear about Town, Bear at Work, Bear in a Square, Bear in Sunshine, and Bear's Busy Family - that Bear sure does get around!  As an extra bonus, I ordered the Bear on the Go puzzle set:


Elfe also loves her Animal Boogie book and CD, and she loves music and dancing in general, so I also ordered a few books with sing-a-long CDs (click the pictures for more information on each book):









I will definitely be reviewing all of these books over the next several weeks after my order arrives, so stay tuned for the reports!

In the meantime, please do show me what you've ordered this weekend - you have until Monday to get the 20% discount - I would love to hear what you and your children are interested in!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Weekend Sale Details



Click on the link above, or visit my Barefoot Books marketplace and enter the code 

MAYSALE

when you are checking out in order to receive a 20% discount on your entire order!

The coupon code is valid from Thursday May 27th through Monday May 31st, and you can use it as many times as you like throughout the sale period!

Tell your friends!


Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Weekend Sale!



WOW!

I just received news that ALL Barefoot Books items - books, puppets, music, everything - can be purchased at a 20% discount this weekend!
Sale starts Thursday May 27th and 
ends Monday May 31st.  

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Grand Opening!



Barefoot Books happens to have offices here in Massachusetts, as well as a flagship store which recently moved.  The new flagship store and community center will have its grand opening in Concord, MA, the weekend of June 4th through 6th - storytelling, music, activities, and just general good times for free!  A portion of the proceeds from sales over the weekend will go to support the Concord Education Fund.  Go here for all the details

If you are in the area and think you might attend, just let me know and maybe we can meet there to enjoy it together!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Animal Boogie



Can I tell you how this book changed my life?

My three-year-old daughter loves The Animal Boogie from beginning to end. I love it too because she will shimmy, shake, swing, and sing along to the CD while turning the pages and I can make dinner without being interrupted!  There's almost no other activity that will keep her occupied by herself for that long, and I feel lucky to have discovered it.

The illustrations are so full of color and detail, and I adore the diversity of the children in the pictures - including one little girl in a wheelchair. I also love that the animals are both boys and girls; I've noticed lately that almost all animals in other books are male unless they are mommies.

So far we have only read this at home with my daughter alone, but I think this book and the CD would work wonderfully for a group of children with different kids playing the part of different animals in the book. Loud, but wonderful!  Watch a video version of the book with the song to see what I mean.


The Animal Boogie was awarded the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award in 2001, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award in 2003, and was a Society of School Librarians International Honor Book in 2001. 







We have the paperback version with the CD, which is $9.99.  There is also a hardcover version with CD available for $16.99, or you can purchase the paperback version without the CD for $6.99 (though I don't know why you wouldn't want the CD - see above about the life changing and everything...).

There is also a Spanish version, Cha-cha-cha en la selva.

For even more fun, try the Animal Boogie Mini Cube Puzzle - 36 pieces in a sturdy box for $12.99 - or the Animal Boogie Fun Activities paperback - puzzles, games, coloring pages, and sticker activities for $5.99.




Boogie, woogie, oogie!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Bear on a Bike



Right after I read the first two lines of this book for the first time, my three-year-old daughter Elfe piped up with "Where going, bear?"  She was riveted for the rest of book and couldn't wait to find out where Bear was going on his bike, his raft, his train, his boat, his carriage, and his rocket ship. 

Elfe loves this book, and will even "read" it in the car to herself when we are driving; there are so many details in the pictures that she can pick out and talk about even though she can't actually read the words yet, and the story is simple enough that she can remember what each page is about.

We also read this book at bed time, the ending is perfect for saying good night and my daughter likes to wave back at Bear as he's standing on the moon on the last page. We both love this book and can't wait to read the rest of the Bear series!

We have the board book version of Bear on a Bike, and it is also available in a paperback version.  Both versions are normally $6.99 but the board book is currently on sale for $5.99!





There is also a Spanish language version, Oso en bicicleta, available in paperback for $6.99. 

Looking for a gift?  The Barefoot Bear Gift Set would be perfect!  All six Bear books (board book versions), in an eco-friendly re-usable green bag with a gift tag for $40.