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Barefoot Books – a review
What is Barefoot Books?
From their site:
This is what we care about: first, we’re convinced that it’s never too early to introduce children to other cultures. We believe too that children can appreciate high-quality art, and enjoy the music as well as the meaning of language from a very early age. They deserve the very best, and they are dependent on their elders to help them make connections — between themselves and others, between nature and culture, between learning and living.
So we create books, CDs and other gifts that offer high educational value and are lots of fun. They’re designed to last, but above all, they are meant to be shared and enjoyed.
I was sent a Barefoot Book to review called Off We Go to Mexico! An Adventure in the Sun by Laurie Krebs and Christopher Corr.
Our take on a Barefoot Book:
I have to admit that when i first opened the book and looked through it, I wondered if my son, who is 4 would be interested in it considering there are Spanish words and he’s just started mastering the English words. My concerns were quickly put to rest, however, as we started reading it.
The book is laid out in a way that when you have the book open to any particular set of pages, the page on the left has a series of words with their Spanish translations and the page on the right has the continuing story that uses the words from the left page. We started out with Jake reading all the English and me reading all the Spanish. He really enjoyed the story and spent a lot of time looking at the pictures saying “look, she’s got a baby” or “hey, a fruit hat!”
About halfway through he wanted to switch with me and had me reading the English parts and he read the Spanish parts. He was really getting a kick out of it and was very patient when I tried to get him to pronounce everything right – or at least as right as this non-Spanish speaking person could!
The end of the book has a map and some information about Mexico today and its history. He was very interested in the map and its relationship to the USA. Even after I got up to take care of my daughter, he was still going back through the book looking at the pictures and every once in a while repeating some of the Spanish words.
Overall I am very impressed with the Barefoot Book we received and am going back to the site to look for more. It certainly inspired more interest from my son than other books have and I really like that it will promote in him an appreciation for other cultures and instill some additional language skills in him early on, when he is soaking up so much information. Both the art and the story in Off We go To Mexico! are captivating and this book is sure to be on his shelf for many years. It certainly spans a wide age range with its bright and colorful images, the story, and the history and information about Mexico in the back of the book.
If you are interested in Barefoot Books and their award winning children’s books and would like more information or to purchase them, you can visit their website: Barefoot Books and check out all the other wonderful books they have to offer. You can also visit the Barefoot Books Blog for information about their books and special offers. In addition to books, Barefoot Books carries CD’s and educational gifts designed around the same values as their books.
The Barefoot Books opportunity:
Another interesting aspect of Barefoot Books is the ability for anyone looking for a work from home opportunity to sell Barefoot Books by becoming a Barefoot Books Stallholder. For more information about how to become a Stallholder and to register for FREE, visit this page: Sell Barefoot.
Here are a few of the benefits:
- Start your own creative business with low start-up and running costs. Experience not necessary!
- Sell in homes and your local community (online or offline), and create a community of customers who also love Barefoot and share our values
- Give back to your community by fundraising for the school or organization of your choice
- Earn immediately with upfront discounts, free products, monthly bonuses and fantastic special offers
- Enjoy prizes, incentives, workshops and get-togethers… and simply doing something you love
- Mentor other Stallholders and create your own Barefoot community
- Embrace creativity and bring something a little different to traditional book-selling from storytelling and craft activities to children’s art and writing competitions, the Stallholder program allows you to explore your own creativity and create a community buzz!
Whether you are interested in the books, the business opportunity, or both, I recommend that you visit their site and see all their wonderful books! And if you and your children already enjoy Barefoot Books, I’d love to read your comments about them!
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10 comments for “Barefoot Books – a review”
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Cherie,
Thanks for the feedback on the review. I really enjoy knowing that I’ve introduced someone to something they will like, all the while helping to promote a great product!!
Well I am sold, I need to try these barefoot books for my niece. She loves books and these seem to be just what she needs! Thanks for the super review!
It is better to start another language young, kids just soak it all up! My daughter has loved the Dora books with the Spanish since she was very little.
I have some of their book and love them!!!!!
Your review makes Barefoot Books look even more appealing than it was already. Kids are all so excited to learn and if given the opportunity they’ll eagerly take part. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this brilliant review. I agree that you can never start them too young on the basics of another language.
If your readers in the UK need a local supplier for Barefoot Books, I’m a stallholder (and a homeschooler ;-)) too. Follow the link in my name if you’re in the UK
Thanks
Janet
psssstttt! Hey Kim! I think you’re homeschooling. gasp!
We love Barefoot Books! We have four great books: The Story of Divaali (Indian festival of lights); Fiesta Femenina (Mexican folktales); The Seven Wise Princesses (a medieval Persian epic); and Daughters of Eve (women of the Bible). Madeline loves Daughters of Eve – she can tell you all about Ruth, Abigail and Esther. There’s a Mexican folktale about the sun wanting to marry the moon. She wants to be independent. So she tells him that she will marry him if he can bring her clothes to wear. Of course, she’s always changing sizes so his clothes never fit! The women and girls in these books are smart, independent, courageous and strong. Great role models!
I love Barefoot Books, I wish I could afford to buy them all. :) I’m going to have to add Off We Go to Mexico to my list, my oldest is dying to learn Spanish so he’s love the mixed language.