Living Barefoot

Back to School with 20% off on Barefoot Books!

2009-08-17T16:14:00.005-05:00

Celebrate a new school year with Barefoot Books! Now through August 30th, Barefoot is offering 20% off all web orders!

Enter Special Offer Code "TWENTY" at checkout!

Find wonderful literature for all ages, with a focus on multicultural themes and stunning artwork that will engage growing minds and encourage imagination.

New this season, we have Bilingual Books in Spanish/English and French/English. Be sure to check out our monthly Sale, as well!

Barefoot Books also make perfect teacher gifts!

If You're Happy And You Know It! Free Song Download!

2009-07-15T14:03:00.014-05:00

A new favorite children's book in our house is one of Barefoot Books' more recent titles If You're Happy And You Know It! by Anna McQuinn with sing-a-long CD, sung by Susan Reed. This lively book puts a fresh and multicultural spin on the traditional preschool tune. Illustrations by Sophie Fatus depict children from all over the world as you sing and dance through the movements (great for an early lesson on following instructions). This book also includes two full page spreads: one showing the children saying "hello" in 36 different languages (the CD will help you with pronunciation), the second naming all the children in the book and giving their country of origin. My kids have had a lot of fun flipping around the book and playing matching games; for example, they discovered that Mehmet from Turkey says "Merhaba" and is on the "Touch Your Nose" page. Illustrations also show many villages full of plants and animals. I really couldn't ask for a better introduction to global cultures!

Now for a limited time, Barefoot Books is offering a Free Download of the song. Enjoy!

Also a reminder that we still have a few days left in our 20% off Sale!
In celebration of our new website,
Barefoot Books is offering
20% off all orders through July 16th!
Enter the Special Offer Code "HAPPY" at check out.

Save 20% on Barefoot Books through July 16th!

2009-07-08T12:44:00.007-05:00

Barefoot Books is offering 20% off on all web orders, now through July 16th!
Simply enter Special Offer Code "HAPPY" at checkout!

New Barefoot Books Website Launches!

2009-07-01T12:04:00.005-05:00

I am thrilled to announce the launch of the new Barefoot Books website! I hope that you will enjoy browsing the lovely books and choosing new literature for your children (or anyone who needs a beautiful gift) to read this summer.

You can also find information on hosting events, holding a fundraiser, becoming an Ambassador, or finding my events in the community. There are plenty of book reviews to read and you can even add your own!

Please come by for a visit and share with your friends!

http://livingbarefoot.barefootbooks.com

Share a Barefoot Book for Father's Day on June 21st

2009-06-01T14:32:00.009-05:00

It's time to think about Father's Day! Share the gift of reading with your child and select from the great Barefoot Books on Special Offer this month! Sale titles this month honor our dads and grandfathers with great stories and colorful illustrations.

For the hero in your life, choose Grandfather Mountain. A collection of stories from around the world about wise men and strong role models.

If you are going on a summer road trip with a little one, they will surely enjoy A Journey Home from Grandpa's. This sing along book that highlights colors and vehicles is great inspiration for I-spy games on the road.

Shopping with Dad is a silly adventure about Dad at the grocery store and a great lesson learned about accepting responsibility and handling a problem.

And what would Father's Day be without a little yoga? My Daddy is a Pretzel is also on sale so you can share a new skill with your child in a fun and approachable way for beginners! If you are already a Yogi, try the Yoga Pretzel Activity Deck or Yoga Planet Activity Deck for more poses and games! (50 poses in each deck!)

Find more Father's Day themed books on sale at Barefoot Books.

Living Barefoot on Twitter!

2009-04-29T20:51:00.003-05:00

In efforts too keep up with the latest trends in business and technology, Living Barefoot is now micro-blogging on Twitter! While I don't see myself becoming a constant "twitterer", I do believe that it will be a useful tool as we enter the season of outdoor events and festivals.

Please follow "LivingBarefoot" and share with your twittering friends!

... oh, and don't forget Barefoot Books Free Shipping now through May 10th. (all orders, no code needed)

FREE SHIPPING on BAREFOOT BOOKS for MOTHER'S DAY!

2009-04-27T16:29:00.013-05:00

Are you looking for the perfect Mother's Day Gift? Give a Barefoot Book! Learning to read is the cornerstone of every child’s education and sharing in a child’s journey into reading can be one of the most rewarding experiences of parenthood. There is no better gift for a mother and her child than time spent reading together.

In celebration of a Mother's special relationship with her children, Barefoot Books is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders from April 28th 2009 through May 10th 2009. There is no special code necessary, your shopping basket will automatically reflect the offer.

This is also a perfect time to stock up on END OF THE YEAR TEACHER GIFTS and Summer reading for your child!

A Book for Earth Day: The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales.

2009-04-14T16:18:00.010-05:00

Book Review:

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales is the publisher's latest collection of folktales from cultures around the world, which explores the connections of ancient peoples to the Earth and inspires us to re-establish that connection in the modern world. Young readers (read alone approx. ages 8-12) meet the first actual tree huggers in India, encounter men of kind heart and magical birds in Kazakhstan, and share the traditions of Native Americans. Each story is proceeded with an introduction by Dawn Casey that presents a cultural reference and is then further supported with guided eco-activities such as song-line painting, growing tomatoes, and making a mini water garden. Quirky and joyous illustrations by Anne Wilson bring even more life to the pages of this new treasure in literature. Earth Tales will make a thoughtful and meaningful gift for any child in your life who is Living Barefoot.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, Barefoot Books has partnered with Eco-Libris to plant a tree for each copy of The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales that is sold in the month of April.

From the Introduction of Earth Tales:

Whether we live in the city or in the country, we depend on the Earth in all kinds of ways: we need to use its materials for shelter and for clothes: we must have clean water to drink; and we rely on successful harvests to eat. We may sometimes think of ourselves as separate from nature, but in fact the cycle of our lives is completely interwoven with the cycles of the natural world.
Traditionally, people have lived very close to nature, enjoying the gifts she has to offer and being respectful in turn. The stories from these cultures reflect this: the oldest tales tell of Earth Mothers and World Trees, Ancient Oceans and Heavenly Gardens. They tell of wonderful spirits and talking animals. Many religions and faiths teach that the heavenly reveals itself through nature. All over the world, songs and stories express a deep understanding of the Earth as sacred.
Sadly, this respect for nature is not as strong as it was even a hundred years ago. Recently, many people and institutions have begun to take a more selfish approach to the natural world - as something to use and make money out of, without caring about the damage that their actions may cause.
Now, at a time when we are again becoming aware that we need to live in balance with our planet, these ancient stories offer an important message. I have chosen a selection of tales that both celebrate our connection with nature and remind us how important it is to look after this Earth, our home. There are myths to renew our understanding of the land, stories that celebrate the glory and beauty of the natural world, and wisdom tales about how to care for the Earth. Listening to these ancient stories today and acting on their advice helps us to move forward, as the caretakers of tomorrow.
Dawn Casey, Author

Barefoot Books also offers many other eco-themed books and activities that you may enjoy for Earth Day.

About Eco-Libris:
Eco-Libris is a green business that enables people to do something reasonable, affordable yet with an impact: plant one tree for every book they read. By working with individuals and publishers to plant trees in developing countries, Eco-Libris makes sure that each tree is planted where it provides significant value for both the environment and the local communities.

Barefoot Books Winter Sale! Up to 80% Off!

2008-12-30T13:03:00.005-06:00

The Barefoot Books Winter Sale is on, with discounts up to 80% on selected bestsellers and limited quantity collectibles! Among the sale items you will find our new activity books, yoga decks, audio books, and great stories for all ages. This is a great time to build your home or school library, pick up books for donations and book drives, stock up on gifts, and introduce your friends to Barefoot Books. The Winter Sale runs through February 2nd, 2009.

Book a Home Party during the Winter Sale period and earn free shipping for all your guests, as well as a 20% in free books as a hostess gift! Call to schedule: 847-863-6512

Still Time to Shop Barefoot Books from Home!

2008-12-20T21:47:00.008-06:00

The weather outside this weekend is frightful, but you still have holiday shopping to do! Fortunately, you don't have to brave the cold, dangerous snowy roads and head out to the mall. There is still time to shop with Barefoot Books and be confident that your gifts will arrive on time for Christmas and Hannukah... without paying an arm and a leg!

Orders placed by 11:30am EST on Monday, December 22nd will be upgraded to 2nd day or overnight shipping free of additional charges! To receive the upgrade, consumers should continue to select “standard shipping” at checkout and will only be required to pay for the price of ground shipping.

Gift wrap is available and we also have a new line of Gift Collections and Gift Sets. In addition to wonderful children's literature, Barefoot also offers puzzles, puppets, and music. I hope you will share the meaningful and beautiful gift of a Barefoot Book this season.

Barefoot Books Free Shipping for the Holidays!

2008-12-17T12:55:00.007-06:00

Free Shipping on all Barefoot Books Web Orders!
Now through Friday, December 19th, 2008.
Simply click on the image below and the offer will be applied automatically.

Barefoot Books Free Shipping Extended!

2008-12-12T18:26:00.004-06:00

Now through December 16th, Barefoot Books is offering FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS and a FREE BOOK with orders over $50! It is a great time to complete your holiday shopping and pick up some TEACHER GIFTS! Simply click on the image below for the online catalog and free shipping will automatically be applied to your order.

If your order is $50 or more, you will receive a free hardcover copy of The Prince’s Bedtime (a $16.99 value)! The modern fairytale follows the struggles of a prince that can’t fall asleep and the King and Queen call on the entire kingdom to help. When the doctor, cooks, maids, musicians, dancers, and others all fail, a little old woman tries a simple solution. Imaginative illustrations and flowing fonts help encourage a child learning to read, while the rhyming verse makes it a fun read for parents too.

I hope you will have the opportunity to share this fun title with the children in your life.

Another Great Offer from Barefoot Books!

2008-12-09T14:13:00.001-06:00

This week, Barefoot Books is offering FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS and a Free Book with orders over $60! It is a great time to complete your holiday shopping and pick up TEACHER GIFTS! Simply click on this image for the online catalog and free shipping will automatically be applied to your order.

If your order is $60 or more, you will receive a copy of Storytime with a story CD for free (a $16 value)! With bright and whimsical illustrations by Anne Wilson, Storytime is the perfect collection of classic preschool tales such as The Ugly Duckling, The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks, and Stone Soup. The included storytelling CD is professionally narrated by Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent!

This has been an especially popular book in my family recently. The stories are familiar enough to help my first grader along as he reads at a relatively high reading level while his little brothers, ages 2 and 4, sit and listen (well, the 4 yr old sits). As a parent, I love to share the familiar stories of my childhood with my kids. I'm sure your family will enjoy this book too.

Have a lovely season and Happy Reading!

A Greener Way of Giving, A Great Value, and A Free Book Offer from Barefoot Books!

2008-12-05T14:04:00.005-06:00

This weekend, the special offer from Barefoot Books is designed to highlight our wonderful new Gift Collections. There are several carefully thought out themes to choose from that will suit any interest. Best of all, the bags require no extra gift wrap; they are all are presented in a colorful canvas tote bag and include a free gift card. That is a greener way of giving, saves you time and money, and gives your recipient an attractive and useful tote! For a smaller budget, we also have many Gift Sets. The sets also include a free gift card and are presented in a reusable shopping bag; sturdy and perfect to reuse anytime you want to take a few books on the go.

The special offer applies for all web orders placed through Monday, December 8th. When you spend $60 or more, you will receive a free copy of Fireside Stories, a gorgeous anthology of Winter tales from around the world (valued at $20).

20% Off on all Barefoot Books Web Orders

2008-12-01T21:42:00.009-06:00

This week, in our series of special offers leading up to the holidays, Barefoot Books is offering 20% off on all orders. The offer will be available through December 4th, simply click on the banner below:

The offer highlights and celebrates our new partnership with PBS. PBS has chosen a selection of books, "The PBS Parent's Collection", that they will be offering an affiliate. While I hope that my customers will continue to shop with me, it is a great endorsement for Barefoot Books and a great channel for more families to find Barefoot. You can read more about the partnership on the Barefoot Blog.

Living Barefoot on Thanksgiving... and a Free Book!

2008-11-26T15:59:00.012-06:00

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us that Living Barefoot is about appreciating what we have and reaching out to those who have less.

This week, Barefoot Books has announced an exciting partnership with Books for Africa, the largest supplier of donated books to the African continent. Since 1988, they have sent over 20 million books to 44 African countries and into the hands of rural schoolchildren. Many of these children are taught in primitive schoolrooms without running water, electricity or the basic materials and tools needed to learn. By collecting, sorting and shipping books to these communities, Books For Africa provides these children with the fundamental tools they need to learn, grow and improve their individual lives and the world around them. It is an organization that speaks to the core of what Barefoot Books and Living Barefoot is all about - bringing the enduring gift of literacy, education and hope to children throughout the world, and extending a helping hand to communities less fortunate than our own.

Barefoot is implementing a number of ways to contribute to the work of Books For Africa. Barefoot has already donated a collection of our books that are now en route to Liberia and, going forward, customers on our website will be able to donate a selection of African-themed books to Books For Africa by "purchasing" them well below retail value. These donated books, available for either $5 or $3, will be set aside at our warehouse in Wisconsin and picked up in bulk by Books For Africa for shipment to the African continent. Barefoot will also be offering beautiful We all Went on Safari-themed bookmarks for sale through Stallholders for $1.00 each. The proceeds from the sale of these bookmarks will be donated to Books for Africa to offset the cost of shipping books to the continent. As this is a long term partnership, look for our 2009 release, The Barefoot Book of African Tales. This book will feature a page with information about Books for Africa and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the organization.

Please consider adding a charitable element to your holiday giving with Barefoot Books.

Barefoot Books celebrates its new partnership with Books For Africa
with a Free Book Offer!

simply click on this image:

All orders of $50 or more will receive
a copy of We All Went on Safari,
now through November 30th, 2008.

Barefoot Books Free Shipping and Free Product!

2008-11-19T21:38:00.008-06:00

Activity Books are a new product from Barefoot Books, and I think a wonderful addition to the line. The Activity Books bring an interactive element to our Art and Story. They allow children to exercise their imagination, express their individualism, and elaborate on the stories that they read. Sit with your child as they explore the pages and ask them to talk about it. It is amazing to see a young mind at work.

This week, Barefoot Books is offering Free Shipping on ALL ORDERS through Tuesday, November 25th. As an added bonus, orders over $50 will receive a Free Activity Book! This is a great opportunity to get to know Barefoot Books and share meaningful literature with the children in your life. Just in time for all of your holiday needs! Please contact me if you have any questions or would like a recommendation. Happy Reading!

A bit about what I do with Barefoot Books... and a Special Offer

2008-11-13T14:15:00.010-06:00

Here is the latest in a series of promotions that I am bringing to you from Barefoot Books, leading up to the holidays. This week, when you purchase 3 books, you can choose a 4th book for free!

This promotion also highlights the Stallholder/Affiliate Program. As Stallholders, Living Barefoot is a Whole Life thing. It's not that our work consumes us; quite the opposite. It's that our work blends into our life in a very organic way. We love literature and we love reading to children. We value the community and we value the planet. Selling Barefoot Books comes pretty naturally because they are the books that we carry in our tote bags and keep in the car. Our children/grandchildren tell their teachers that Port Side Pirates is their favorite song and they bring a Folkmanis puppet in for show and tell. We each have our own definition of Living Barefoot and Barefoot Books give us the flexibility to share the books in a way that fits into our lives. For some of us, that means simply passing the catalog around at work or the playgroup. For others that means online marketing, home parties, open air markets, school fundraisers/book fairs, or larger expos.

I hope that you will enjoy this special offer and share it with your friends. If you have any questions about the Affiliate Program, please feel free to contact me anytime.

This offer is valid through November 18th, 2008.
Happy Reading!

Free Yoga Planet Activity Deck from Barefoot Books

2008-11-06T14:39:00.005-06:00

For a limited time, Barefoot Books is offering a free Yoga Planet Activity Deck (a $14.99 value) with all web orders over $50! Simply follow the link below!

Offer valid through November 11th, 2008.

As you click on the link, look closely! Barefoot has used my quote for the promotion! (see earlier post... I thought I "lost"). I feel especially honored that my words are associated with this campaign because it highlights Barefoot's partnership with the Kasiisi Project, an organization that brings literature to schools in Uganda.

Diary of a Historic Night in Chicago

2008-11-05T09:48:00.015-06:00

Grant Park, Chicago, November 4, 2008. The scene was set by perhaps the most glorious weather Chicago could imagine, mid 60's at 8:30pm; phenomenal considering it easily could have been 30 degrees colder and snowing. The lights of Chicago, always welcoming, reflected the occasion with red, white and blue on the building tops and "USA" and "Vote 2008" spelled out in the windows of high rises. The crowd was a true reflection of America. All races, young and old, gathered in good will and peace. An energy and sense of hope and anticipation hung in the air.

Together, on our iPhones and on the JumboTron, we witnessed the results unfold and tearfully celebrated as America elected Barack Obama to be our next President. It is remarkable. Unbelievable, the number of improbabilities that Barack Obama has overcome over the course of his life to get to this moment in time and this incredible victory. We all felt it, deeply. We joyously greeted the new First Family as they came to the stage for Obama's moving speech.

By the end of the night, we had made friends with the people around us, took photos, hugged and shared a lot of high-fives. We left the park in a surreal post-election setting as the midnight streets of downtown Chicago filled with people making their way home to the sound of continuing cheers and jubilant drum beats. One Nation United with Hope. We marched into a new era of American and World history.

Living Barefoot Is...

2008-11-02T08:24:00.007-06:00

Last week, Barefoot Books asked its Stallholder Community to submit a photo and a quote as a contest to create a new e-campaign. Our guidelines seemed simple enough: a photo of a barefoot child in an autumnal setting and a quote to describe what Living Barefoot means to us. AH! That should be easy for me; I have so many thoughts on Living Barefoot! It’s the title of my blog. I could spout off forever. But here’s the catch: our quotes had to be 40 words or less – so I could not spout off forever after all. 40 words is actually quite short. I'm a better formal writer and not much of a journalist. I was sure I would just throw in the towel and write a nice long gratuitous blog post instead. But I stuck with it and kinda like my slender 40 words. In the end, I did not win the contest, but here is my quote; along with my wonderful photo of Ryker “Living Barefoot”.

Living Barefoot is a global consciousness. Just as feeling the earth beneath our feet connects us to the importance of maintaining a healthy planet; reading Barefoot Books connects children to world cultures, creating a future global community with greater understanding.

BTW, don't forget Barefoot is offering 30% off on all web orders through Monday, November 3rd. Use special offer code SCLB30 at checkout!

Save 30% on Barefoot Books!

2008-10-29T12:41:00.002-05:00

Barefoot Books is offering 30% off all web orders October 29th - November 3rd!
Click on the following image to redeem the offer.

Barefoot Books in Madison, WI WEAC October 30th and 31st

2008-10-24T14:23:00.005-05:00

Attention Wisconsin and Teacher Friends!

I will be bringing Barefoot Books to Madison next Thursday and Friday, October 30th and 31st for the WEAC (Wisconsin Education Association Council) Conference at the Alliant Energy Center!

Barefoot is virtually unknown in Wisconsin, and I am hoping to introduce the teacher community to these award-winning children's books. Barefoot is committed to nurturing a love of reading in a way that encourages children to explore their creativity and discover the diversity of the world's many cultures and traditions. Shouldn't Wisconsin be taking advantage of this incredible literature?

I hope that you will help and support me by letting Wisconsin teachers know about me and my participation in the conference. Barefoot will be at Booth #325.

Additionally, I am happy to meet anyone who is interested in learning about the company, picking up a few books (and saving the postage fees), or talking about becoming a Stallholder in an area with wide open opportunity! I'll be staying at the Sheridan and able to meet anyone there between the hours of 6pm to 9pm on Thursday, October 30th. Please give me a call at 847-863-6512 to schedule.

Pass it on!

A Perfect Fall Day... Listen, Listen

2008-10-14T21:04:00.021-05:00

Each October, my family uses Columbus Day weekend as an excuse to squeeze in one last little taste of Summer. My in-laws in Northern California and the kids' beloved Lee cousins have the same days off from school, so we have formed a tradition of meeting them in Southern California when prices and crowds are low. While I savored those moments this weekend in the sun by the pool, it was also nice to return home to the seasons of the Midwest.

It was a perfect Fall day today. Sunny and crisp, but still warm enough to be comfortable without a jacket. After school, I dressed my boys in matching shirts (hoping for that holiday card picture, of course) and took them to the preschool pumpkin patch to pick out our future Jack-o-Lanterns and snap a few photos. We returned home to the leaves I had raked into a pile earlier in the day. Kids seem to know instinctively what to do with this... Ryker, still under two years, was the first to jump in. While I don't think that I got the "perfect" photo, we had a blast and certainly succeeded in digitally capturing some moments that I will treasure. It is far too seldom that I remember to tote the camera along with me and the boys.

The drastic contrast of seasons in the last two days, the idealistic autumn afternoon, and the thought of holiday cards, prompted me to take out a special Barefoot Book for bedtime this evening: Listen, Listen. The rhythmic verse by Phillis Gershator reminds us to appreciate the delicate sounds of nature that surround us each season. The art by Alison Jay, created with oil paint and a crackle varnish, evokes an especially nostalgic feel, invites the reader to explore the details, and perfectly complements the movement of the words.

"Listen, listen... summer's gone. Good-bye insects, autumn's come. Plop, plop, acorns drop. hurry, scurry, squirrels hop."

We always spend a lot of time when we sit down with this book. It wouldn't be right to rush through when the theme is just the opposite. There are all sorts of tiny things to spot in the illustrations. There are even smells, if your imagination is tuned in. It's the kind of book that reminds us to breathe and remember what is important in life. It is even a book about ecology. I promise to help my boys recall these lessons, linger a bit, and appreciate the treasures around us as we step outside each day.

Listen, Listen is available in hardcover and the newly released lap book version. The lap book is a larger format board book, ideal for the classroom setting or younger children. See Barefoot Books for more details.

Barefoot Books opens at FAO Schwarz: New York City Event for Kids on October 4th, 2008

2008-10-03T00:09:00.007-05:00

If you are in New York City this weekend, don't miss a stop into FAO Schwarz on October 4th to celebrate the official opening of the Barefoot Books store! This grand opening weekend is marked with special celebrity guests and events such as stories, yoga, and sing-a-longs, running from 11am - 4pm.

In this exciting partnership, Barefoot will now provide it's beautiful products in a stunning boutique within FAO's flagship Manhattan store. If you can't make it this weekend, stop in anytime. Talented toy soliders will share Barefoot Books at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3pm daily from the Storyteller Throne.

Additional events are also planned: on October 18th, there will be a special visit from Arthur of Albion author John Matthews for storytelling and book signing. Please continue to check the Barefoot Website for an updated schedule!