Saturday, October 31, 2015

Spooky Stories and Spook Fun!

Happy Halloween!! 

Are you in the mood for some spooky stories from Barefoot Books?

Check out my recommendations below!



Let's start with our featured book - Tales of Mystery and Magic by master story teller Hugh Lupton.  These seven stories from around the world introduce children to the bewitching world of mystery and magic, and range from charming - the Seneca tale Winter and Summer explains the transition from winter to summer in the guise of a cold and grumpy old man and a warm and friendly old woman - to downright spooky - the Scottish story of The Strange Visitor features disembodied body parts that arrive one night to snatch an old woman from her home.  These stories are not for children who frighten easily, but are perfect for kids who love the thrill of being scared by a story.  Recommended for ages 6 to 10.  Read them out loud yourself, or enjoy Hugh Lupton's magical narration on the story CD.







For more magical stories from around the world, check out our Magic Stories independent reader series, which currently includes a story from Ireland and a story from Russia.  These stories are perfect for children ages 6 and up!

In Cara and the Wizard, two Irish sisters love each other very much - so when Molly vanishes one morning, Cara decides she will go out into the wide world to find her. She is armed only with gifts from her mother and father, and her own kindness and courage. Can brave Cara defeat a wolf and a wizard to bring back her beloved sister?





In Starlight Grey, after an old man dies, only his dreamy son Ivan is brave enough to keep vigil at his father’s grave. Ivan’s reward is the magical stallion Starlight Grey, which he keeps secret from his two greedy brothers. When the Russian king challenges all the young men in his kingdom to win the hand of his beautiful daughter, Ivan calls on the help of Starlight Grey.





Do you have a little monster-lover in your house?  Then our Monster Stories independent reader series is perfect for you.  Inspire young readers with these adventures that teach courage, compassion and kindness. Meeting monsters on the page helps children realize that many of the scary things in life are less frightening than they appear — and that monsters can have feelings too!

The storylines of these illustrated folktales from around the world are written in simple sentences to make them perfect first chapter books. 
Choose a story from Italy or South Africa, from Chile or Nepal, from Tahiti or North America...or buy all 6 at a special low price!  These are monster stories with happy endings, so children will experience the scary thrill of a good story and the satisfaction of knowing everything turns out fine in the end.  

Looking for more spooky fun?  Create monsters and magicians out of paper with this folding paper craft kit for ages 7 and up...




...or use strategy and problem-solving to mix a magic potion and stop the wizard in the cooperative board game Cauldron Quest...




...or make a monster mask with this craft activity based on our books...




...or serve Dracula's Gelatin to your kids with this spooky fun recipe for kid in the kitchen...






...or best of all, save 20% on everything you order today with the discount code FALL2015 - it expires at the end of the day on Halloween!





Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Summer Sale 2015 - Classic Heroes

Along with deals on best-selling singalongs for younger children, our big Summer Sale includes some amazing deals on gorgeous books about a few classic heroes you might recognize - all in gift-quality hardcover with stunning illustrations.  These are books that will be on your child's bookshelf for years to come and become family favorites.

Let's start with the legendary King of Camelot, Arthur of Albion.  Discover the stories and historical details featuring the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, Guinevere, the Quest for Excalibur, and more.  Includes a detailed full-color map of the realm of Albion.  For ages 8 and up, normally $24.99 but available during the Summer Sale for just $6.25!  Buy now while supplies last and save it as a gift for upcoming birthdays or holidays!








The Adventures of Achilles is one of our very favorite books, it comes with two story CDs narrated by professional story tellers Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden and we listen to it on every long car trip.  This is a version of the Trojan War suitable for ages 8 and up.  Kirkus Reviews gave The Adventures of Achilles a starred review: “Epic in deed and scope and a-bustle with larger-than-life characters, this retelling of the Iliad will rivet both readers and listening audiences.”  Normally $23.99, it's available for just $14.39 during the Summer Sale!









The Barefoot Books version of Robin Hood is amazing, with a strong Marion character and beautiful illustrations.  The illustrator lives near Sherwood forest in England and drew upon the actual location for inspiration.  Each chapter of this stunning hardcover book - nine in all - re-tells a tale from the Robin Hood legend, including "Robin Becomes an Outlaw," "Robin Meets Little John," and "Robin's Last Battle."  For ages 8 and up, normally $24.99 but available for just $12.50 during the Summer Sale!








These are all classic stories that everyone should know, and I can't think of a better way to introduce them to your children than through these beautiful and detailed Barefoot Books versions.  But hurry - the Summer Sale ends on August 31st!  And don't forget to use discount code 2015SUMMER to save an additional 20% on everything, including these sale books!


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Summer Sale 2015 - Singalongs!

We're having a summer sale!  Super savings on select titles in August only!  Find the sale page here, or see below for some best-selling singalongs that are part of the sale...




Singalong books with CDs are perfect for listening to in the car (and I promise that you will enjoy listening to them as much as your little one), or for indoor dance parties when the weather outside is stormy.  Pop the CD into a computer and you'll also find an animated version of the book - so much fun!  Paperback singalongs are normally $9.99 but the three titles below are only $7.99 during the summer sale.

Portside Pirates! is a perennial favorite - it has a catchy tune, colorful illustrations full of quirky details, a diverse cast of characters, and fabulous end notes including a labeled diagram of a pirate ship and a list of famous pirates from history.  










If You're Happy and You Know It! is the classic song given Barefoot's signature multicultural twist - meet children from 36 different cultures as you clap your hands, pat your head, and turn around - then learn how to say "hello" in each of their languages at the end of the song!










A Dragon on the Doorstep is a rousing game of hide-and-seek with a dragon, a tiger, a crocodile, a gorilla, and all sorts of other creatures - your child can join in the fun while exploring the house and engaging his or her imagination!







Want to save even more?  Use the discount code 2015SUMMER to save 20% on everything, including books on sale!


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Celebrate Diversity, Spark Curiosity - and Earn an Income!




Travel the world via children's books when you become a Barefoot Books Ambassador this month!

Join before August 31st and you will receive an email within one week with a special code - use the code when you place your first order and you'll receive this cultural awareness collection as a gift!

Learn about the Chinese zodiac in The Great Race, visit a Nigerian market in Catch that Goat, relax on the beach in Off We Go to Mexico, explore courage and beauty in Tehran in The Girl with a Brave Heart, and sing along with four kids in different countries getting ready to start their day in Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.  This collection is worth over $50 but it's yours for free when you become an Ambassador in August!

Need a little extra incentive?  Use the discount code SUMMERKIT15 to save 15% on your Starter Kit in August too!


Saturday, June 13, 2015

Singalong Saturday - Outdoor Opposites

Welcome to Singalong Saturday!  Every Saturday I will introduce you to one of our singalong books - they are so much fun!

This week we have one of our newest books, Outdoor Opposites. There is so much to love about this book - from the catchy upbeat tune (performed by the Flannery Brothers), to the hidden seek-and-find (can your little one find the fox on every page?), to the incredible diversity (look for the little boy with the limb difference) - it truly represents what Barefoot Books is all about.  

Enjoy!








Wednesday, June 10, 2015

2015 Summer Reading Program from Barefoot Books




Did you know that reading at least six books with your kids over the summer will keep their minds sharp as well as provide lots of fun for the whole family?  When you spend quality time with your child reading with him or her, you are also strengthening reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and conversation skills - and if your child is in school, you are helping your child retain what they learned and start the new school year off on the right foot!




This is why Barefoot Books has launched a Summer Reading Program, developed by Stefanie Paige Grossman, M.S.Ed, Early Childhood Education/Infant, Parent Development Expert, and Global Program Director at Barefoot Books.  That's her in the photo above, reading one of our best-selling books to some lucky kids!  

Our Summer Reading Program is 12 weeks of literacy tips and book lists for children of all ages, delivered straight to your email inbox starting June 15th.  You'll learn how to ignite your child's love of reading whether they are toddlers and pre-schoolers or they are already in school.  And as soon as you sign up, you'll be able to download a reading log and a pirate-themed reading scavenger hunt to get you started right away!  If you sign up after June 15th you'll also receive all the previous emails so you won't miss a thing.





In addition to Barefoot's program, I am offering my customers some additional ways to enhance your family's summer reading.  I've set up a special place on my Barefoot in Boston Facebook page for us to discuss each weekly mailing from Barefoot and share further resources (make sure you "join" the event so you don't miss any of the discussion), and I've also created a special Summer Reading Program link to my online shop - anyone who purchases at least 6 books through that link before August 31st will receive a free book from me at the end of the summer!  There are also ways for you to participate in person; stop by one of the farmers markets where I am a vendor this summer to find out how your child can also choose a free book from me at the end of the summer - you can find my schedule either here on the blog or on my Barefoot in Boston Facebook page.  

The program is underway so sign up today!