TV Tune Out Week

Well, here we are in the midst of TV Tune Out Week (March 2 -8), as prescribed by the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood. When my preschooler brought home the button and booklet, I have to admit that I didn't think much about it. We watch a fair amount of TV in our house, but not a level that I am uncomfortable with. A little TV means that I can get a chore done more efficiently, take a phone call quietly, or cook dinner safely.

But when last Sunday morning rolled around, on a whim, I thought "Why not?" and announced to my family that we were going to give this a try. The response from my 6 year old, keeper of the remote, was immediate and violent. "NO!" he yelled, stomping his feet. "What will you miss that's so important?" I asked. "I'll be BORED." he complained. His reaction told me that we needed to do this and the first few hours were rough. The boys were killing each other and the noise was deafening. I regretted my decision almost immediately, but we pressed on and survived until our babysitter arrived and my husband and I headed out to dinner, happy that we had planned a little break.

The tide turned completely the next morning. Our early risers were found in the living room WITH THE TV OFF! They didn't ask for TV all day and I didn't hear a constant mantra of "I'm Bored". Instead, the kids colored, played Legos, had imaginary adventures, played games, constructed puzzles, and took naps! Not only did we read books, but Max sat down to practice reading and writing; my husband thought I started a home school program. I'm not sure what little good-fairy loaded them onto the bandwagon, but I am forever grateful.

The following days have been just as successful and I am optimistic for the rest of the week. The boys have been much more creative in their play and, in spite of the first afternoon of noise and fighting, our house has been an overall more peaceful place. I thought the TV was keeping them quiet, but I have learned that they are actually capable of entertaining themselves quietly without electronic assistance. Who knew?

I would highly recommend TV Tune Out Week for all families. I'm not sure when I will reintroduce TV back into our house, but I think we'll hold off a few days beyond next Sunday.


New Spring Titles from Barefoot Books are keeping us occupied!

Poetry with Kids

I read poetry with my boys last night. We undertook some pretty heavy prose; The Tyger by William Blake. Max (6 yrs) crinkled his forehead, thinking. As I finished the poem he smiled a crooked smile. Pleased, as any boy might be, with the fierce imagery. But a little confused too; clearly, he understood on some level that this poem has considerable depth. He made a comment that it rhymed and sounded scary. “That’s a wonderful observation”, I said. “I did you like it?” He nodded.

Beck (3 yrs) roared like a tiger, enjoying it in his own, age appropriate way.

Without bogging the six year old down in Blake’s beliefs of creation and religion, we discussed the poem on more simple terms. We spoke of the simultaneous beauty and danger of nature. How words have power to create vivid images and the meaning/use of metaphors.

We sat down with poetry before (light and fun "children's" poetry too) and each time I am reminded how important it is to develop this side of their literary appreciation. The creative license that is given to poets to work untethered by the regular laws of grammar and to use our language artfully, delights young minds and challenges us all to think outside the box. This morning, home sick from school, Max has been working on sounding out words and writing them down. I don’t think it will be too long before he writes the first poem of his own.

Going to France!

I started distributing books for Barefoot Books mainly so I could fill our home library with unique and meaningful children's literature by this environmentally conscious and globally minded independent publisher. I had hoped that by starting my own business I would also find an outlet for my creative energies, have some "Me Time", and rebuild my career skills (after being out of the sales/marketing and sales training workforce for 6 yrs). One year later, my Barefoot Journey has fulfilled all those goals and taken me further than I dreamed... all the way to France! As the 2007 "Best US Newcomer", I will be attending the Barefoot 2008 International Summit, an intimate meeting at the Toulouse home of our company Founder and CEO, to discuss the direction of Barefoot's future and review the new products in the pipeline! Barefoot is a relatively small company and I look forward to all the opportunity in store. In our digital world of computer tots and Wii kids, it's extremely rewarding to be able to bring families inspiring art and story in a high quality book that children can hold in their hands and treasure throughout their lives. Thank you to all my current and future customers who have made this possible.

Literature: Choose Children's Books Carefully

How do we choose the best books for our kids? Avoid commercialism and poor quality. Seek out meaningful content. This quest should be of the highest priority to anyone purchasing books for the children in their life. In the paragraphs below, I will try to provide more insight and guidance into the process.

I got involved in the publishing industry about a year ago because I believe so deeply that children need more quality literature and I wanted my own children to have the best. I won't say that all your books should come from my company; there are certainly other great books out there too. But there are some important things to keep in mind as you hit the book stores and internet. Fact is, there is a lot of junk produced to keep the big retailers operating. Sift through your choices wisely.

I think a brief introduction to the history of children's publishing is important in understanding the driving forces behind the bulk of products for children in our modern day. (my thanks to Richele Baburina for some of this info in this paragraph) It wasn't until the mid 1800's when books written for children moved beyond primers and textbooks, and authors started creating literature for children, but at that day and age, there was no mass-marketing. Libraries and public schools were the main market for children's books and leading, value-oriented librarians served as the gate-keepers to ensure the quality of publication. The non-institutional market for children's books opened up in 1942 with the introduction of Little Golden Books and the Baby Boom fueled that movement. Fast-forward to the 1980's, when we saw two major developments in the industry: big publishing houses and large chain retailers. The new gate-keepers in children's publishing became the central buyers for those stores and decisions became profit-driven; giving rank to blockbuster titles, star authors, and media tie-ins. Publishers, in many cases, actually purchase advantageous book placement and display from the stores. In this model, we are left wondering where the content figures in. Our children are taught to be consumers at an early age. No longer do our families treasure heirloom quality literature; rather, we purchase flimsy and poorly written books based on TV cartoons because they match the collection of happy meal toys. Do I even need to mention the video games and the disproportionate level of emphasis that has been placed upon them in our society?

About the time I came to that extreme but true realization, I also found Barefoot Books, an independent publisher founded 15 yrs ago by two women just like me. Their incredible vision and determination has led to an unusual and successful business model that includes the best interest of our children's development at the core of the company. The company's focus is on an effort to stir the creative power of children with imaginative art and meaningful story, create a sense of global community by presenting stories from around the world, and maintain the highest level of product quality.

So how do you build the best home or school library for your children? Seek out the books that you remember from your childhood, the folktales that your Grandmother told you, and new books that strike on important values that you'd like to promote within your family. Avoid products that just bring us back to the television set or otherwise reinforce consumer madness. Give your children books that they will be proud to own, rather than disposable booklets compiled by staff writers in a marketing department. Remember that children don't learn best via flashcards and that the best road to literacy and love of literature is simply by reading to your child. Engage their senses with sing-a-longs and stunning artwork. As the custodians of our future, they truly deserve no less. Happy Reading!

Why "Living Barefoot"?

The idea of "Living Barefoot" holds special meaning for me. My philosophy has long been that your feet connect your soul to the earth. Why else do people like to feel the sand between their toes and walk barefoot through the grass? Is there a greater joy than kissing a newborn baby's toes after his bath? It simply disrupts one's balance to keep the shoes on for too long.

I have recently embarked on a career as a Stallholder for Barefoot Books, a publisher of children's literature. The home based business allows me to keep my focus on the boys while I develop a career and make a meaningful contribution through fund raisers and community events. The Barefoot Books philosophy of providing quality literature to our children, promoting a sense of global community and protecting the environment, is harmoniously in line with everything I believe in.

George and I often ponder the legacy that we are leaving for our boys. Can Earth continue to sustain them and their children? What can we do to protect their future? We try to make small changes where we are able and find hope in all the small bits of goodness that are going on in the world. Part of our responsibility is to leave only delicate footprints...so please remove your shoes when you can and remember our beginnings.