Barefoot Prairie Books

We're Sailing Down The Nile

2011-11-17T13:05:00.001-06:00

Today we're going to take a journey through Egypt with the book, We're Sailing Down the Nile by Laurie Krebs and illustrated by Anne Wilson.

Travel the Nile River with your kids starting at the temples at Abu Simbel in the south and moving north to finish the journey at the Giza Plateau. Of course there are many stops along the way including (but not limited to) The Valley of the Kings, Ashwan and Cairo.

As with other books by Laurie Krebs, the text is fun and easy to read out loud. The repeating, rhyming text encourages children to participate in the story:

"Climb aboard the river boat! We're sailing down the Nile. We'll reach The Valley of the Kings in just a little while."

The vibrant illustrations in the book tie in seamlessly with the text and make the reading even more fun. Watch farmers working in their fields and gaze in awe at the incredible landmarks that Egypt has to offer! The illustrations are of course stylistic and do not have a lot of detail but I think this just adds to the book, evoking a feeling of the country.

One of the greatest things about this book is the end notes: eleven full pages of information including:

Information about Ancient Egypt
Facts about gods and goddesses of Egypt
A map of Egypt including landmarks
More in depth information about the sites visited in the main text
and more!

This book is recommended for kids age 4-10. Younger kids will enjoy the colorful illustrations and rhyming text. Older children (and adults!) will find the facts in the back of the book interesting and informative. This book is a great introduction to kids who are interested in learning about Egypt and the Ancient Eqyptians!

You can purchase We're Sailing Down the Nile online at http://www.shopbpbooks.com

Books for Africa
We're Sailing Down the Nile is one of many books that Barefoot Books offers for the Books for Africa organization. Books for Africa has one goal: to end the book famine in Africa. Since 1988, Books For Africa has shipped over 22 million high-quality text and library books to children and adults in 45 African countries. Millions more are needed.

Barefoot Books is helping this cause by offering many of their books for a reduced price to be purchased and donated to Books for Africa. When you buy one of these books it will be sent directly to a child in need.

Find out more about Barefoot Book's association with Books for Africa.
Purchase a copy of We're Sailing Down the Nile to be sent to a child in Africa

My Granny Went To Market

2011-11-10T13:23:00.000-06:00

Today, for our travel series I would like to talk about My Granny Went To Market, A Round-the-world Counting Rhyme written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Christopher Corr.

My Granny Went To Market is a fun counting book that is perfect for kids 3-7 years old. Younger kids will love learning to count while enjoying the colorful pictures. Older kids will find this to be the perfect book for first learning to read, with fun details to keep them interested!

In My Granny Went To Market you and your kids will follow Granny as she goes on a worldwide shopping adventure! First travel to Istanbul for a flying carpet, and later head to Tokyo for 9 fluttering kites. With 10 stops in 10 different countries around the world, you are sure to enjoy your whirlwind shopping adventure.

The rhyming text found on each page will help reinforce learning while making the story fun to read:

"Now Africa!" Sang Granny,

"we must wake the morning sun!"

So they spiraled south to Kenya,

where she bought six booming drums.

The colorful images created by Christopher Corr really help make this fantasy story come to life. Children love to point to different images found on each page and imagine what the real country might look like. This of course, opens up many more opportunities for learning!

In short, if you're looking for a counting book that will entertain and engage your child then this is the book for you! You can purchase My Granny Went To Market at my marketplace: http://www.shopbpbooks.com

My Granny Went To Market is also available in Spanish!

Abuelita Fue Mercado:

un libro en rimo para contar por el mundo

It's the same great book, translated into Spanish!

Off We Go To Mexico!

2011-11-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

To celebrate our new release, The Barefoot Books World Atlas, I have decided to make November all about our Travel the World books!

The first book I want to share with you is one of my favorites, Off We Go to Mexico! written by Laurie Kreb and Christopher Corr.

Off We Go to Mexico! is a fun, colorful book that takes the reader through various places in Mexico. I thought the text was well written with a rhyming scheme that rolls off the tongue.

Excerpt:

Off we go, off we go, off we go to Mexico!
We swim in turquoise water and build castles on the beach.
We climb up rocks or watch from docks,
to see the gray whales breach.

Each page has four words that are translated into Spanish which was a bonus for me since my future sister-in-law is from Mexico and her kids speak fluent Spanish! Now I can say things like "we climb pyramids" and "things to buy" which I'm sure will come in handy! ;)

The illustrations throughout the book are bright and colorful. The warm colors really make you think of sunshine and hot days on the beach. Each page is filled with interesting people, animals and other things for little eyes to take in. You could spend a long time with your child just pointing out different images on a page (which may or may not be a good thing for parents!).

In addition to the Spanish words found on each page, there is a page in the back of the books which translates more common words and phrases. Learn how to say "Good Morning", "I don't understand", "What is your name?" and more.

The endnotes in the back also consists of:

A full page map of Mexico
Facts about Mexico such as population, weather and information about landmarks
Information about important festivals in Mexican culture
Illustrated history of Mexico

Off We Go to Mexico! is recommended for children 4-10 years old. I think children under 4 would still enjoy the rhyming words and colorful pictures even if they don't get much out of the context. Older kids we enjoy the end notes and practicing the Spanish words sprinkled throughout the book.

You can buy Off We Go to Mexico! online here.

Off We Go To Mexico is also available in a Spanish edition - Nos Vamos a Mexico!

Travel The World In November!

2011-11-02T16:10:00.000-05:00

To celebrate the release of the brand new Barefoot Books World Atlas, I'm going to be focusing my posts in November on our Travel The World Book Series! Every few days I will write a review of one of our travel books and include special details about the country that the book talks about!

But first, I want to tell you about the awesome Global Giveaway that Barefoot Books has going on right now! They will draw one winner every day who will get a copy of the World Atlas as well as a $30 gift certificate for Barefoot Books! One grand prize winner will receive an Apple iPad2! Click the image below to enter now! The giveaway ends November 23, 2011.

Don't forget to join me tomorrow for the first stop on our journey around the world - Mexico!

New Books For Independent Readers!

2011-10-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

Barefoot Books has made great leaps lately to expand their offerings for early, confident and advanced readers. From our new Monster Series for early readers to our illustrated chapter books for advanced readers, you're sure to find something for the independent young reader in your life!

Monster Stories

Newly released in September 2011, our Monster books are perfect for children age 6 and up who are learning to read on their own. The simple sentences, carefully chosen vocabulary and exciting storylines give new readers a head start!

The first book in the Monster Stories Series is The Feathered Ogre.

This Italian tale tells how Pírolo, the King’s youngest gardener, sets out on an impossible quest which frightens even the bravest of the King’s knights. Can he steal a magic feather from the back of the terrifying feathered ogre who eats tasty boys and girls for his supper?

The second book in the series is called The Mother of Monsters.

This story from South Africs is about the mischievous Ntombi, the Chief’s daughter, isn’t at all afraid of the fearsome Ilunge River. But when she goes to swim there, she enrages the Mother of Monsters, with her gigantic head, bulging eyes and thick, slimy scales, causing more trouble than she could ever imagine!

The other two new books in this series are The Abominable Snowman and The Terrible Chenoo. Please click on the book titles for more information about each story! From the main Barefoot Books pages you will be able to click on the book cover to view inside pages from the books and determine whether they will be right for your child!

New Chapter Books

Two new books join our growing collection of chapter books for confident and advanced readers: The Snow Queen and The Shipwreck.

The Snow Queen is an exquisitely illustrated retelling of the classic story by Hans Christian Anderson.

An evil troll creates a mirror which reflects the bad and ugly sides of people. Shards of its glass enter a young boy, causing him to reject his loving family and best friend Gerda. Helped by kind strangers and guided by her warm heart, Gerda makes the perilous journey to rescue her friend from the icy palace of the Snow Queen.

The Shipwreck is the 1st volume in a 4 part series!

When his father is murdered, a young viking boy named Leiv stows away on a ship bound for Greenland, intending to avenge the death. But the boat is wrecked in a storm and his search for revenge becomes a struggle for survival. Leiv is saved by an Inuit brother and sister and starts a new life in an icy land. Slowly he becomes aware of a way of life and value system which centers around peace rather than war, showing a profound respect for the natural world.

I hope you enjoy these new options for the older kids in your life! Stay tuned for information about new releases for the younger kids!

Summer Sale

2011-07-28T09:42:00.000-05:00

Barefoot Books' biggest annual sale is going on right now! There are so many great books on sale right now! Here are my 3 favorite titles that are marked way down.

The best seller, Animal Boogie with CD is on sale for $4.49 (down from $9.99)

The best Selling chapter book, Little Leap Forward is only $7.99 Marked down from $14.99!

I love this big of poems! Someone I Like is on sale for $8.99 - marked down from $17.99!

View all titles on sale!

Barefoot Bear's Tenth Birthday

2011-07-19T09:09:00.001-05:00

The lovable, huggable Barefoot Bear is turning ten this year! Barefoot Books is celebrating in a couple of ways.

First of all, Bear's Birthday is a new book release that is sure to delight your little ones. How does Bear celebrate his birthday? With balloons, cakes and friends of course! I can't tell you how excited I am for this new Bear title - he's a big favorite in this house!

To help celebrate, Barefoot Books has also teamed up with an organization called Birthday Wishes. Birthday Wishes is an organization that helps throw birthday parties for kids who would not otherwise get a party. For every copy of Bear's Birthday that is sold in July, Barefoot Books will donate one book to Birthday Wishes! Read more about this effort on the Barefoot Blog.

But, that's not all! You can also send a special Bear Birthday e-card to a friend! Check it out - it's so cute!

I hope you enjoy Bear's birthday celebrations. What's your favorite part about birthday parties?

2011 New Spring Titles!

2011-04-09T08:00:00.006-05:00

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.

Over in the Meadow - Coming May 2011!

llustrated by Jill McDonald with a CD sung by Susan Reed. This traditional tale features a variety of animal families and is sure to be a delightful addition to our Sing-Along Collection!

McDonald has illustrated the popular board books, Who’s In the Garden and Who’s In the Forest. Vocals by Reed can be found on Up, Up, Up and If You’re Happy and You Know It.

I Could Be, You Could Be - Coming May 2011!

Join a young boy and girl on thrilling adventures as they imagine themselves as a space-traveling astronaut, a ferocious dragon, a jungle-dwelling monkey and more.

Barroux has previously illustrated two books for Barefoot, Dotty Spotty Doodles and Zig Zag Zebra. Includes a mask-making activity at the end!

Bear's Birthday - Coming June 2011!

Our old friend Bear is back! Fans of the Bear Series will love this new addition in which Bear celebrates his birthday by throwing a party for his friends. Learn about birthday activities as the bears hunt for presents, play party games and blow out the candles on a Bear-size birthday cake.

Personally, I can't wait to get my hands on this one! My daughter loves Bear! :)

I'm so excited for all of these new releases! I'll be sure to let you know when each new title becomes available!

Teaching Poetry To Toddlers and Preschoolers

2011-04-06T14:33:00.001-05:00

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.

There are plenty of books available to young kids that have rhyming text. One of my favorites from the Barefoot collection is I Took The Moon For A Walk by Carolyn Curtis and Alison Jay. I guarantee that the beautiful, lyrical text in this book will pull you right in.

It opens:

"I took the Moon for a walk last night.
It followed behind like a still summer kite,
though there wasn't a string or a tail in sight,
when I took the Moon for a walk."

I Took The Moon For A Walk is also one of my daughter's favorites. The soothing words calm her when she's upset or over tired.

Of course, Dr. Seuss is a great source for simple rhymes too! "Hop on Pop" and "Green Eggs and Ham" are fun to read and explore simple word families. Read the book to your child and then ask him if he noticed any words that rhymed. Discuss the rhymes and see if he can think of his own!

Remember, poetry doesn't have to come from a book, you can help your child experience poetry throughout the day simply by making up rhyming sentences that describe various situations. For example, today I told my daughter, "we are getting in the car but we won't go very far. Around the corner, then go straight and we will be at Grandma's gate!"

Toddler Rhyming Games

You are probably already familiar with many of the rhyming games available for toddlers. Most of them are based on nursery rhymes and you likely played them when you were a child! Here are a few examples of some fun rhyming games to play with your toddler.

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

This fun action rhyme incorporates counting, coordination and rhyming into one!

"One, two, buckle my shoe" (bend over and pretend to buckle your shoe)

"Three, four, shut the door" (pretend to shut a door)

"Five, six, pick up sticks" (bend down and pretend to pick up sticks)

"Seven, eight, lay them straight" (draw straight lines on the floor with your finger)

"Nine, ten, a big fat hen!" (flap your arms and cluck like a chicken!)

Pat-a-Cake

Another action game that subtly incorporates rhyming into your child's playtime!

"Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man"

(alternate clapping your hands and patting your legs)

"Bake me a cake as fast as you can"

(alternate clapping your hands and patting your legs)

"Roll it, and pat it and mark it with a 'B'"

(roll your arms, pat your legs and make a "B" in the air)

"Put it in the oven for baby and me!"

(pretend to put a cake in the oven)

Preschool Rhyming Games

These games are more for the 3+ age range but younger children will enjoy listening to you play with words and rhymes even if they can't participate. Please remember that all children develop differently. While some kids may be quick to pick up on the rhymes, others may find it more difficult. Be patient and if your child begins to be frustrated, take a breather and play something new for awhile.

Guess the Animal

Introduce the concept of rhyming words to your preschooler through a fun guessing game. Ask the children to close their eyes and try to imagine the animal that you are describing. Tell them to raise their hand when they know what the animal is. Start describing an animal giving them several hints and end by saying a word that the animal's name rhymes with.

For example: "the animal I'm thinking of lives on a farm, it is pink and it likes to roll in the mud. This animal's name rhymes with dig. Do you know what the animal is?"

After the child guesses the animal you can reinforce the rhyming words by saying "that's right because pig rhymes with dig. Dig, pig."

At this point you might ask the children if they can think of any other words that rhyme with 'dig'. This may be a little advanced for some preschoolers but it should help to get them thinking about rhyming. If no one can think of any rhyming words you can jump in and start listing them. "Let's see, dig rhymes with pig and big, fig, gig, jig, and wig!"

Go ahead and take it a step further by making up a funny poem with your new rhyming words! "There once was a pig. He was really very big. One day he wore a wig and then he danced a little jig!"

Alphabet Rhymes
This game lets your child be silly with words as well as practice rhyming!

Tell your child that you want to find words that rhyme with "Ape". Start going through the alphabet and adding each letter to the beginning of "ape" - it doesn't have to be a real word! "Ape, bape, cape, dape, e-ape, fape..." Have fun with it! After you give a few examples ask your child if she can think of any words that rhyme with "ape". Change it up using different words and sounds! Another fun way to do this is using the child's name! For example: "Shelby, Belby, Delby, Felby..."

I hope these examples get you thinking about how you can introduce your young children to poetry and rhymes

What rhyming games do you play with your children?

National Poetry Month

2011-04-05T20:34:00.000-05:00

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!

From A. A. Milne and Mother Goose, to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, poetry has entertained, delighted, and spoken to children for generations and plays an instrumental part in children's literacy development. Poetry is an excellent way to introduce your children to new words and new uses of the English language.

I challenge you to make some special time this month to explore poetry with your children. Keep an eye on this page for ideas for how to do that!

With options for the very small to the very tall, Barefoot Books can help you spend April celebrating poetry with your children!

My absolute favorite poetry book from Barefoot Books is "Someone I Like" which a compilation of poems about people. Not only does "Someone I Like" explore different relationships but it also talks about deep emotions that are sometimes hard for children to express.

Someone I Like features a large selection of poems from many different cultures that were compiled by Judith Nicholls. The book was beautifully illustrated by Giovanni Manna. It is recommended for children age 5 and up.

Simply reading basic poetry to your kids can help them gain an appreciation for it. They don't need to understand all of the words in order to understand the feelings and emotion behind the poem. Please, stay tuned for more information about teaching your children about poetry!

Click here to learn more about National Poetry Month.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-03-31T15:55:00.000-05:00

Spring is here and warmer weather is officially starting to make an appearance here in Iowa! What is your family doing to acknowledge this special season of growth and renewal?

Barefoot Books has several fun titles about springtime and gardening for all ages!

One of my favorites is "Who's in the Garden?", written by Phillis Gershator and Illustrated By: Jill McDonald.

Who's in the Garden? is a fun peek-a-boo book that introduces young kids to animals that are commonly
found in the backyard and garden whether in the morning, noon or night.


Who's Coming To See How My Garden Grows?

Rabbits hop, hop, hopping between the rows.

The colorful images and rhyming text are sure to delight toddlers! "Who's In The Garden" is recommended for kids age 1-4 years. Click here to learn more about "Who's In The Garden"

More Fun Springtime Reads:

The Beeman

Written By: Laurie Krebs
Illustrated By: Valeria Cis

A young boy learns about beekeeping with his Grandpa, the beeman in this educational and intriguing story. Learn about all aspects of beekeeping as well as interesting facts about bee colonies and making honey. Learn more and read reviews here.

What's This? A Seed's Story
Written By: Caroline Mockford

This story follows the life of a seed which is planted and cared for by a little girl. Learn how seeds grow and what plants need to thrive. What will the seed grow to become? Includes notes at the back for extended education. Learn more about the book and read reviews here.

Kid's Garden
Written By: Whitney Cohen
Illustrated By: Roberta Arenson

This card deck includes 40 activities and games for kids to enjoy outdoors. Plant flowers, dig for worms, make a toad house and more! The step by step instructions on these cards make it easy for your little green-thumbs to explore nature. Click here to learn more and read reviews.