Friday, November 26, 2010

20% off now through November 29th! Free shipping on all orders over $60!

It's never too early to start reading books to children!  What better way to see what Barefoot Books has to offer than to order something when there's a sale?  Check it out at:

http://www.barefootbooks.com/?bf_affiliate_id=000-0fl8n

Monday, September 20, 2010

Barefoot Mom's Book of the Week: Cleo's Alphabet Book


A friend of mine just ordered this book, and I will admit that I had to take a peek in it before I shipped it off to her!  I feel quite confident she and her sons will just love it.  It's just adorable!  I love how it gives the letters of the alphabet at the beginning of the book, then each page thereafter is a picture with just the letter of what that picture begins with so the child can guess what the name of the item listed is in the picture.  What a great way to learn.  Also at the end of the book there are just the pictures shown so the child can practice again but with no tips of which letter corresponds.  I think this book is a great, fun learning tool!

Here's a look inside!
There's even an activity sheet you can print out for your child to do!  http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/product_files/activity1_3262_1.pdf

This book is great for children ages 1 to 4 years.  Prices are:

Hardcover:  $15.99
Board Book:  $6.99
Paperback:  $6.99

Check it out!  http://store.barefootbooks.com/cleo-s-alphabet-book-2.html#?bf_affiliate_id=000-0fl8n

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Why Reading to Children is Important

What’s the most important trait you’d like to develop in your child? If you’re like most parents, intelligence is probably at the top of your list. We all want bright, smart children, which is why we spend so much time choosing the right schools and making sure teachers are exceeding expectations. But remember: as a parent, you have the power to boost your children's learning potential simply by making books an integral part of their lives.


We all know reading to our kids is a good thing—but are you familiar with the specific advantages your toddler or preschool-age child can receive by being exposed to the merits of reading? Below are some benefits that highlight the importance of reading to your child between the ages of 2-5.


• A stronger relationship with you. As your child grows older, he’ll be on the move—playing, running, and constantly exploring his environment. Snuggling up with a book lets the two of you slow down and recaptures that sweet, cuddly time you enjoyed when he was a baby. Instead of being seen as a chore or a task, reading will become a nurturing activity that will bring the two of you closer together.

• Academic excellence. One of the primary benefits of reading to toddlers and preschoolers is a higher aptitude for learning in general. Numerous studies have shown that students who are exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to do well in all facets of formal education. After all, if a student struggles to put together words and sentences, how can he be expected to grasp the math, science, and social concepts he’ll be presented with when he begins elementary school?

• Basic speech skills. Throughout toddlerhood and preschool, your child is learning critical language and enunciation skills. By listening to you read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, your child is reinforcing the basic sounds that form language. “Pretend reading”—when a toddler pages through a book with squeals and jabbers of delight—is a very important pre-literacy activity. As a preschooler, your child will likely begin sounding out words on his own.

• The basics of how to read a book. Children aren’t born with an innate knowledge that text is read from left to right, or that the words on a page are separate from the images. Essential pre-reading skills like these are among the major benefits of early reading.

• Better communication skills. When you spend time reading to toddlers, they’ll be much more likely to express themselves and relate to others in a healthy way. By witnessing the interactions between the characters in the books you read, as well as the contact with you during story time, your child is gaining valuable communication skills.

• Mastery of languages. Early reading for toddlers has been linked to a better grasp of the fundamentals of language as they approach school age.

• More logical thinking skills. Another illustration of the importance of reading to children is their ability to grasp abstract concepts, apply logic in various scenarios, recognize cause and effect, and utilize good judgment. As your toddler or preschooler begins to relate the scenarios in books to what’s happening in his own world, he’ll become more excited about the stories you share.

• Acclamation to new experiences. As your child approaches a major developmental milestone or a potentially stressful experience, sharing a relevant story is a great way to help ease the transition. For instance, if your little one is nervous about starting preschool, reading a story dealing with this topic shows her that her anxiety is normal.

• Enhanced concentration and discipline. Toddlers may initially squirm and become distracted during story time, but eventually they’ll learn to stay put for the duration of the book. Along with reading comprehension comes a stronger self-discipline, longer attention span, and better memory retention, all of which will serve your child well when she enters school.

• The knowledge that reading is fun! Early reading for toddlers helps them view books as an indulgence, not a chore. Kids who are exposed to reading are much more likely to choose books over video games, television, and other forms of entertainment as they grow older.


Books have the power to benefit toddlers, and preschoolers in a myriad of ways. As a parent, reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to prepare him with a foundation for academic excellence.

Article from:  http://www.earlymoments.com/Promoting-Literacy-and-a-Love-of-Reading/Why-Reading-to-Children-is-Important/

Monday, September 13, 2010

10 Tips for Parents of Young Children (ages 0-4)

1. Read aloud to your child every day
  • Read to babies even before they can talk
  • Let your child see and touch the book
  • Play with voices and the sounds of words
2. Create a print rich home environment
  • Have a wide variety of books available to children
  • Encourage children to look at books on their own
  • Set aside a family reading area and a family reading time
3. Model reading and writing
  • Make use of the family reading area on your own
  • Let children see you reading for work or to learn something
  • Let children see you reading for pleasure
4. Use grocery shopping to encourage reading
  • Have children help you search for specific brands
  • Use the aisle markers with your child to find items
  • Match coupons to products
5. Cook with your child to develop literacy
  • Show your child how to read a recipe
  • Read the labels on ingredients together
  • Make a family cookbook of favorite recipes
6. Explore books together
  • As you read, point out important features about the book
  • Ask your child questions
  • Point out new vocabulary
7. Tell stories together
  • Talk together about your family history
  • Look at old vacation photos and discuss your memories of the trip
  • Tape your storytelling
8. Sing and rhyme with your child
  • Choose songs with rhymes and word play
  • Play rhyming games with your child - what other words sound like monkey?
  • Challenge your child to sing or say rhymes as fast as he can and dont forget to laugh if the results come out silly
9. Write with your child
  • Provide lots of writing materials, chalk, markers, crayons, and pencils
  • Encourage your child to draw and write on her own
  • Encourage your child to write thank you notes to grandparents, make to-do lists and the like
10. Visit the library often
  • Make weekly trips
  • Encourage your child to get her own library card.
  • Take advantage of library programs such as read alouds and family book clubs

Article from:  http://www.rif.org/parents/tips/tip.mspx?View=65

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Barefoot Mom's Book of the Week: I Took the Moon for a Walk



Embark on a dreamy, nighttime jaunt with a young boy and the moon. Overcoming a fear of the dark and discovering the world at night lives at the heart of this poetic tale. Includes notes about the moon and plants and animals that thrive in the wee hours.

Ages 1 to 7 years

Hardcover:  $16.99
Large Format Board Book:  $14.99
 
To see this book visit:  http://store.barefootbooks.com/i-took-the-moon-for-a-walk-2.html?bf_affiliate_id=000-0fl8n

Friday, September 10, 2010

An exciting start to stay-at-home mommyhood!

I am really excited to be sharing the Barefoot Books products as well as business opportunity with you!  I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to start this business now and to experience it while I stay home with my little girl who is due to join us in this world in the next couple of weeks.  Even if you aren't a stay-at-home parent, this business could be ideal for you.  It's one of the few businesses out there that actually has no financial committment to begin selling their products.  Not only is there no financial requirement, they give you the sales tools necessary to start selling their products online for FREE!  In today's world of the Internet, online is the way to go.  Check it out!



As a Barefoot Books Ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to share our beautiful books and gifts with your neighbors, friends and others in your community. You can work the schedule that’s right for you and live Barefoot the way that suits you best:


Start an home-based business

Earn commissions from 20-40% of retail value, plus loyalty points.

Market Barefoot Books online

Promote Barefoot through websites, blogs or social networks and earn 20-40%.

Create fundraising opportunities

Earn 50% and free shipping on all orders over $500.

Best of all, we supply all the resources, tools, and community support you need to be a success. Interested? It’s free to join, so sign up now!

http://www.barefootbooks.com/community/become_an_ambassador/