Free Yoga Planet Activity Deck from Barefoot Books

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

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...

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!

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

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

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

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!