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

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

Celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day" with our new digital video!

Shiver me timbers!

Don't ye be a landlubber this Sunday on "Talk Like a Pirate Day."  Watch our new animated video for swashblucklin' fun!

Click here to watch the free video!


http://www.barefootbooks.com/index.php?cID=20207&utm_source=US%2BAmbassador&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Portside%2BPirates%2BVideo?bf_affiliate_id=000-0fl8n


Or to see the book, click here!


http://store.barefootbooks.com/port-side-pirates-3.html?bf_affiliate_id=000-0fl8n

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/

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

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

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/

Baby's First Book!

What an awesome book this is.  My mom just bought this for Kaelyn (our unborn daughter...3 weeks until she joins us!).  I read it myself just this morning and am so impressed with it that I had to share it with you!  It's got simple nursery rhymes, pictures of different types of weather for you to teach your child, colorful pictures (with words) of vegetables and fruits, the alphabet with matching pictures to give a visual of what each letter can represent and even numbers with pictures for learning to count the numbers!  Really very adorable and a great learning tool with fun stuff in it for babies.  Check it out!

http://store.barefootbooks.com/baby-s-first-book.html

Ahoy there, maties!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is on the horizon, so we hope you'll be joining us on September 19th for a sailor's hornpipe and a tot of grog!

We'll be celebrating all things pirate with the launch of our latest animated singalong - Portside Pirates. Available from September 17th, the video gives you the perfect excuse to break out the Parrot Puppets and slap on an eye patch for a pirate-themed sale.

Check out our booty at http://store.barefootbooks.com/catalogsearch/result/?submit=search&q=pirate

If you need some help with how to be speakin' pirate-like then ne'er be afraid me hearties, there's a website that should help: http://www.yarr.org.uk/talk.
 
Arrr!

When and how can I teach my toddler to read?

Barefoot Books offers lots of options for beginner readers.  Don't be discouraged if your child can't read yet.  Feel encouraged to know that you can still make a difference in helping your child learn by starting today with reading to your child.  Barefoot Books' website has its books categorized by age, so you can easily find what type of material would be best for your child.  Read the reviews on each book to see what other parents have said.  And, as always, if you have questions, I am here to help you find answers!

The below information was taken from:  http://www.babycenter.com/404_when-and-how-can-i-teach-my-toddler-to-read_6900.bc:

Judith Hudson, developmental psychologist

The truth is, right now you really can't. Children usually don't start reading before the age of 5 or 6, and for good reason. Researchers believe that until that age, most children have not yet formed certain neural connections that allow them to decode printed letters and then mentally combine them to make words. A few children are able to read earlier, but most of them just pick it up; they don't learn through direct instruction.

The key to reading readiness during the toddler years is indirect instruction: This involves introducing your child to books and print in a way that gets him excited about the stories they contain. Basically, your job is to show him that books are important — and fun! The best way to accomplish this is by reading to him. As early as 6 months, babies enjoy looking at simple board books with pictures and labels. Between the ages of 1 and 2, repetitive and rhyming books are most likely to capture your child's interest, and between 2 and 3, he'll begin to enjoy books with more text and simple story lines. (For BabyCenter's lists of suggested titles, click here.) Be sure to hold the book so your toddler can see the pictures easily, and point to things that seem to capture his attention when you read to him.

Alphabet books can help toddlers learn to isolate letters within a stream of print, and many children can identify their own name by the time they're 3. A lot of toddlers can also identify the signs and logos they see around them. You may groan inwardly when your toddler chirps "McDonald's!" as you pass the Golden Arches, or asks for ice cream when you pass his favorite ice cream parlor, but this is an important step in learning to read — it shows he understands that written words represent things and ideas. If your toddler's listening to stories and looking at books and has some concept that printed words include letters, he's well on his way to learning how to read.

My marketplace at Barefoot Books:  http://Dana-Mears.barefootbooks.com/

Barefoot Mom's Grand Opening Sale Extravaganza...Final Day!

Today is the last day of my Grand Opening!  Take a look at these wonderful books for children.  They offer learning experiences and just plain fun stories to read with your child...or for your child to read to you!

This offer is good for today only.

*For South Carolina customers only (if you live outside of South Carolina, please contact me for a special coupon).*

Place your order directly through me (not through my website) to take advantage of Buy 1, get 1 50% off (lesser or equal value) and free shipping (a $4.99 savings)!  There's no limit!  Credit cards and checks accepted.**

View my Barefoot Books website at http://Dana-Mears.barefootbooks.com/.

Email your order information (I will call you for payment) to daeunau@yahoo.com or call me at (803)727-6555.

**Sales tax applies to order cost before discount.

20 Ways to Encourage Reading

1. Scout for things your children might like to read. Use their interests and hobbies as starting points.

2. Leave all sorts of reading materials including books, magazines, and colorful catalogs in conspicuous places around your home.

3. Notice what attracts your children's attention, even if they only look at the pictures. Then build on that interest; read a short selection aloud, or simply bring home more information on the same subject.

4. Let your children see you reading for pleasure in your spare time.

5. Take your children to the library regularly. Explore the children's section together. Ask a librarian to suggest books and magazines your children might enjoy.

6. Present reading as an activity with a purpose; a way to gather useful information for, say, making paper airplanes, identifying a doll or stamp in your child's collection, or planning a family trip.

7. Encourage older children to read to their younger brothers and sisters. Older children enjoy showing off their skills to an admiring audience.

8. Play games that are reading-related. Check your closet for spelling games played with letter tiles or dice, or board games that require players to read spaces, cards, and directions.

9. Perhaps over dinner, while you're running errands, or in another informal setting, share your reactions to things you read, and encourage your children to do likewise.

10. Set aside a regular time for reading in your family, independent of schoolwork, the 20 minutes before lights out, just after dinner, or whatever fits into your household schedule. As little as 10 minutes of free reading a day can help improve your child's skills and habits.

11. Read aloud to your child, especially a child who is discouraged by his or her own poor reading skills. The pleasure of listening to you read, rather than struggling alone, may restore your child's initial enthusiasm for books and reading.

12. Encourage your child to read aloud to you an exciting passage in a book, an interesting tidbit in the newspaper, or a joke in a joke book. When children read aloud, don't feel they have to get every word right. Even good readers skip or mispronounce words now and then.

13. On gift-giving occasions, give books and magazines based on your child's current interests.

14. Set aside a special place for children to keep their own books.

15. Introduce the bookmark. Remind your youngster that you don't have to finish a book in one sitting; you can stop after a few pages, or a chapter, and pick up where you left off at another time. Don't try to persuade your child to finish a book he or she doesn't like. Recommend putting the book aside and trying another.

16. Treat your children to an evening of laughter and entertainment featuring books! Many children (parents, too) regard reading as a serious activity. A joke book, a story told in riddles, or a funny passage read aloud can reveal another side of reading.

17. Extend your child's positive reading experiences. For example, if your youngster enjoyed a book about dinosaurs, follow up with a visit to a natural history museum.

18. Offer other special incentives to encourage your child's reading. Allow your youngster to stay up an extra 15 minutes to finish a chapter; promise to take your child to see a movie after he or she has finished the book on which it was based; relieve your child of a regular chore to free up time for reading.

19. Limit your children's TV viewing in an effort to make time for other activities, such as reading. But never use TV as a reward for reading, or a punishment for not reading.

20. Not all reading takes place between the covers of a book. What about menus, road signs, food labels, and sheet music? Take advantage of countless spur-of-the-moment opportunities for reading during the course of your family's busy day.

Information from:  http://www.rif.org/parents/articles/ChidrenWhoDontRead.mspx

Barefoot Mom's Grand Opening Sale Extravaganza...Day 2!

It's not too late to take advantage of this great sale!  If you missed yesterday's, don't worry!  Today is a great day to try out some new and wonderful books for your children or for gifts for children you know and love!

This offer is good for today only.

*For South Carolina customers only (if you live outside of South Carolina, please contact me for a special coupon).*

Place your order directly through me (not through my website) and receive 30% off of your order of $50 or more and free shipping (a $4.99 savings)!  Credit cards and checks accepted.**
View my Barefoot Books website at http://Dana-Mears.barefootbooks.com/.

Email your order information (I will call you for payment) to daeunau@yahoo.com or call me at (803)727-6555.

**Sales tax applies to order cost before discount.

Did you know?

• The average kindergarten student has seen more than 5,000 hours of television, having spent more time in front of the TV than it takes to earn a bachelor's degree.

• Children who have been read to several times a day as a young child, did substantially better in kindergarten than youngsters whose parents read to them a few times a week or less often. The group of children who were read to on a daily basis were 1.6 times as likely to be rated by their teachers as being near the top of their kindergarten class in learning skills, and 2.3 times as likely to be near the top of their class in communication skills. These relationships hold true regardless of the income of the child’s household and the education of the child’s mother.

Information from:  http://literacyconnections.com/reading-with-my-child.php

Barefoot Mom's Grand Opening Sale Extravaganza!

This offer is only good today only!

*For South Carolina customers only (if you are outside of South Carolina, please contact me for a special coupon).*

Place your order directly through me (not through my website) and receive 40% off of your order of $50 or more and free shipping!  Credit cards and checks accepted.**  View my Barefoot Books website at http://Dana-Mears.barefootbooks.com/.

Email your order information (I will call you for payment) to daeunau@yahoo.com or call me at (803)727-6555.

**Sales tax applies to order cost before discount.

The Prince's Bedtime

Meet a young prince who refuses to go to sleep! The entire kingdom comes out to lend a hand in this rhyming bedtime adventure. There is a hullabaloo of activity—jugglers juggling, magicians hypnotizing, dancers dancing—but it is the wonder of a good story that finally does the trick. Book with CD editions include story read by actor Jim Broadbent.

For Ages 3 to 7 years
Hardcover $16.99, Paperback with Story CD $9.99
http://Dana-Mears.barefootbooks.com/

Welcome to Barefoot Mom!

Welcome to my Barefoot Mom blog!  This is where you can see the latest products to come out from Barefoot Books and current promotions.  Thank you for your support in my business.  As a soon-to-be stay-at-home mom, I'm excited to promote reading for children with these wonderful books.  I hope my daughter will enjoy reading as much as her daddy and I do.