Let's have a PARTY!

Dates are already booking for Spring home shows, so I think this is a good time to give you some info on having a Barefoot Books home party.  It is very similar to other home parties.  You invite people, I talk about Barefoot Books (puzzles, etc...) and your guests have an chance to make purchases, orders, or book their own parties.  What do you get out of it?

• 20% of your party's total purchases goes to you in the form of your choice of Barefoot merchandise.
• You will receive an item of your choice as a hostess gift.
• You will receive additional items of your choice if any of your guests book parties!

If you are in the Chicago area and would like to book an event, send me a message at maggpie721@aol.com and we'll get started.

If you are NOT in the Chicago area, we can plan an "online event" where you still get all the hostess credits, etc., but you wouldn't have an actual party.  You would spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, etc. and I would provide you with a special link to your party page!

Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions!  Happy Almost-Spring!

Chinese New Year will be here soon!

It is almost time for Chinese New Year and Barefoot Books has the perfect selection of books and even a CD or two!  All of these books and CD's can be purchased at 

My Barefoot Bookshelf Marketplace.  

Special offer for followers of my blog... use coupon code AMBTEN at checkout to take 10% off!

Little Leap Forward

A Boy In Beijing

Experience this coming-of-age tale that brings to life the time of the Cultural Revolution. A young boy growing up in the hutongs of China discovers the heartache of loving and having to let go when he captures a bird, only to discover that she will not sing in confinement. The first in Barefoot Books' Young Fiction line, this story also includes beautiful full-color illustrations.

Ages 8 and up

Written By: Guo Yue, Clare Farrow

Illustrated By: Helen Cann

Motherbridge of Love

Cherish the special bond between parent and child with this beautiful, anonymously written poem. Through the exchanges between a little girl and her adoptive parent, this poignant selection celebrates love and family. 

Text royalties from this book are donated to Mother Bridge of Love, a charity that reaches out to Chinese children all over the world in order to develop a connection between China and the West, and between adoptive culture and birth culture. Xinran, the acclaimed Chinese author, broadcaster and journalist, is the founder of Mother Bridge of Love.

For all ages

Illustrated By: Josée Masse

Asian Dreamland CD

Sail into dreamland with this harmonious collection of tranquil lullabies and soothing songs. The ten tracks are accompanied by extensive liner notes in English, Spanish, French and German.

For all ages

Produced By: Putumayo World Music

Stories from the Silk Road

Journey along the ancient trade route between East and West. The seven intriguing tales in this collection each feature an important city along the Silk Road, and are filled with adventure and drama, as the merchants, muleteers, spies and shepherds travel this exotic route.

Ages 8 and up

Retold By: Cherry Gilchrist

Illustrated By: Nilesh Mistry

The Great Race

Race with the animals of the Zodiac as they compete to have the years of the Chinese calendar named after them. The excitement-filled story is followed by notes on the Chinese calendar, important Chinese holidays, and a chart outlining the animal signs based on birth years. 

Ages 4 to 9 years

Retold By: Dawn Casey

Illustrated By: Anne Wilson

We're Riding on a Caravan

An Adventure on the Silk Road

Join the caravan for an exciting yearlong trek along China's ancient Silk Road. Following the rhyming, treasure-filled story are informational endnotes about the history of the Silk Road, the story of silk, important cities of China, and a full-spread map.

Ages 4 to 10 years

Written By: Laurie Krebs

Illustrated By: Helen Cann

Lin Yi's Lantern

A Moon Festival Tale

Meet Lin Yi — a little boy with a big heart and a talent for bargaining. Tonight is the moon festival and he wants nothing more than a red rabbit lantern; but first he must buy the things his mother needs at the market. This heartwarming story shows the rewards of putting others first, and includes educational notes at the end about the Chinese moon festival, life in rural China, and the legend of the moon fairy.

Ages 5 to 9 years

Written By: Brenda Williams

Illustrated By: Benjamin Lacombe

Stay in with a book!

In this cold weather, it's a great time to stay in with a book!  Barefoot has winter stories for all ages, and many are on sale right now during the winter sale!

Winter King, Summer Queen

Enter the Land of Icy Darkness and the Land of the Flaming Sun and discover how their people learn to share the Earth, and how the rotating seasons of winter and summer are born. This imaginative story demonstrates the importance of balance, community and sharing. Book with CD edition includes story read by Ellen Verenieks.

Ages 4 to 9 years

Written By: Mary Lister

Illustrated By: Diana Mayo

Narrated By: Ellen Verenieks

Winter Shadow

Traipse to a small village in the snowy north, where Maria stumbles upon a mysterious gray bundle, covered in wintry snow — an abandoned wolf cub! Grandfather is hesitant to support his granddaughter’s plan to nurse the cub to health, but soon Maria and Shadow warm the hearts of almost every villager.

This touching story explores the delicate balance between humans and nature, and between the individual and community. The second offering in Barefoot Books’ Young Fiction line, this story also includes beautiful, full-color illustrations.

Ages 7 and up

Written By: Richard Knight

Illustrated By: Richard Johnson

Storytime

First Tales for Sharing

Share a traditional tale and provide a stepping stone into the land of art and story. The seven folk tales in this colorful collection are well known and well loved, and each imparts an important lesson using humor, action, adventure and classic characters. Book with CD edition includes stories read by actor Jim Broadbent.

Ages 3 to 7 years

Retold By: Stella Blackstone

Illustrated By: Anne Wilson

Narrated By: Jim Broadbent

These books and more can be found at 

My Barefoot Bookshelf