Welcome to a place where there’s always time for make believe. Where whimsical can be wise and learning can be fun. Where stories have the power to inspire children to explore, create and connect to the wonders of the world around them. A world where everyone lives Barefoot...

Saturday, April 9, 2011

2011 New Spring Titles!

There are some great new titles joining the Barefoot family this Spring! I'm so excited to share some of these books that are sure to become favorites in your family!


Children of the World Memory Game - Available Now!

Inspired by the popular sing along title If You’re Happy and You Know It!, this memory game utilizes one of the greatest attributes of the book—the adorable children from all over the world—to encourage memory and matching skills.

The object of the game is to match the boy and girl pairs according to the traditional dress, country name and color featured on each card.



 Shakespeare's Storybook (Chapter Book) - Available Now!

This is an old favorite from Barefoot Books that has been remade into a chapter book that is more accessible to older readers.

Discover some of the secrets to Shakespeare's inspiration. The seven stories in this collection each influenced one of Shakespeare's plays during his creation process. Included before each of the stories are fascinating facts and insights into the local traditions and political issues that shaped the plays.


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Teaching Poetry To Toddlers and Preschoolers

Young children may not be able to understand complex verses, rhyming schemes or poem formats but that doesn't mean that they can' t benefit from an early exposure to poetry. In fact, you've probably been exposing your child to poetry since the day he was born. Most people first experience poetry through nursery rhymes.

Nursery rhymes such as "Hey Diddle, Diddle" and "Old Mother Hubbard" offer fun rhymes for young kids. There's a reason that Mother Goose has been around for hundreds of years - the rhymes are easy to remember and young tots love to listen to them (over and over again!)

We've all been told that poetry doesn't have to rhyme but that doesn't mean that it can't rhyme! Most young kids find rhyming poetry to be the most fun. Toddlers and preschoolers spend a lot of time experimenting with words and sounds and rhyming can help them do that.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

National Poetry Month

Someone I like is far away
I feel the silence everywhere
I didn't know how much I'd care
Someone I like is far away
I feel the silence in the air
I feel it, feel it
everywhere
~From the book, Someone I Like

April was established as National Poetry Month by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 as a way to help poetry gain more attention in popular culture. It is a month in which we can all share the creativity and beauty of poetry. It is also a perfect time to expand your children's exposure to poetry!