I love going to the mailbox. Now that I am reviewing with the 5 Minutes for Books team, the walk to the end of the driveway is even more exciting. When I lower the hatch and find new books, I am giddy! My children, however, do not pay much attention to my packages. Their usual response is something along the lines of “Oh, another book for Mom.”
My kids’ response changed when I received a package from Barefoot Books. I had their attention from the moment I pulled the books out of the box. The bright colors and attractive illustrations caught their eyes, and I immediately had a captive audience.
The excitement grew when we discovered that two of the books, The Animal Boogie and The Journey Home from Grandpa’s came with CDs as well. We headed to the CD player and settled down to listen to the stories. We didn’t sit for long. The stories are so lively that the kids started dancing and singing while looking at the illustrations. Even my cool, six-year-old boy couldn’t help but join in with the catchy phrases. The stories are just plain fun! (As a former educator, I would also say that the books are well designed and include important concepts for children, but my kids only care about the fun.)
Later, as I browsed the Barefoot Books catalog, I was very impressed. They have titles for a wide range of ages, and the content of the books is diverse as well. All of the books list an appropriate age range for listening and reading, and I found the books I sampled to be accurately labeled. Additionally, these books represent children of all races and special needs. Kids love to see themselves in the books they read, and that is possible for all children with these stories.
I couldn’t help but notice how many of the books have won awards, including awards from Oppenheim, Parent’s Choice, Booklist, and other notable agencies. I understand why. Barefoot Books are the kind of books that will ellicit the response, “Read it again, Mommy!” Of course, if you choose a book that includes a CD, you can always set it to repeat. (Not that I would ever do that!)
Melanie from Barefoot Books is giving away a copy of The Animal Boogie to one of our readers. Please click over to the Barefoot Books site, and then come back and tell us the title of a book that appeals to you in the comments here. One lucky winner will be announced next Wednesday (The giveaway is now closed).
Lauren is a wife, a mother of two, and an avid reader. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows.
My girls would vote for the princess one, but I like the kangaroos. 🙂
I think my boys would like I Took The Moon For A Walk, and probably any of the pirate books lol. Great company, thanks for sharing about this.
I think we would enjoy the Classic Poems book.
Portside Pirates
The Journey Home From Grandpa’s sounds delightful!
Well I know my 2-year-old would be drawn to the Alligator Alphabet book, since he’s currently obsessed with letters. But they all look great! Thanks for the chance to win!
(Don’t count me in the contest, of course . . ) Those look great! And I totally know what you mean about that trip to the mailbox.
I believe my son would like the “Magic Train Ride” book. He is into all forms of transportation, but trains are his all time favorite. I can’t to take him to see Thomas the Train in Essex CT. He’s going to be thrilled!!
I think my boys would enjoy “The Barefoot Book of Pirates.”
The Adventures of Odysseus looks promising.
Hi! I think the “Boy Who Grew Flowers” book looks and sounds wonderful. Please enter me in your delightful book drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
I really want the Ballet book that they sell!
The pirates book is tempting, but I am most interested in “Little Leap Forward”. I used to work in China and I would love to teach my sons about it.
onlycancan at hotmail dot com
I think Gigantic Turnip sounds fun!
Alligator Alphabet looks fun.
I like the pirates and the princesses!
My little girls are so into Princesses! They would definitely go for that one! Animal Boogie looks great though too!
We had Animal Boogie out from the library but it didn’t come with a CD. That would be my pick.
The Barefoot Book of Princesses!
Port Side Pirates looks like a book my son would like!
I was impressed with Barefoot Books, as well! We received a nice stack of books to review but have only gotten to a few. Review here:
http://smallworldreads.blogspot.com/2008/05/three-by-barefoot-books.html
My son is into pirates so my pick is Port Side Pirates.
Portside Pirates.
the oirates and the princesses
Adventures of Odysseus, my kids love adventures and mythology!
I think my daughter would really enjoy “Ballet Stories”.
I would love to have Who Are You? for my granddaughter.
Adventures of Odysseus
My 4yo daughter loves the Barefoot Book of Princesses and I think she would also like Indian Tales.
I visited the Barefoot Books website and was taken by all the nice books with vivid colors!
My favorite was “Who are You Baby Kangaroo? It is a great way for children to learn the names of baby animals all over the world!
Thank you for the great giveaway for the children!
baileybobby6(at)hotmail(dot)com
I Took The Moon For A Walk 🙂
Gigantic Turnip sounds interesting!
The Journey Home From Grandpa’s appeals to me, thanks.
My kids would love Alligator Alphabet.
[email protected]
I know my son would love “Port Side Pirates”
My son would love Alligator Alphabet. Thanks for the giveaway!
Port Side pirates! There are 2 pirate books that come with a CD and a free tote bag if order today!! YAY!!
Portside Pirates
How wonderful! The Journey Home from Grandpa’s would be perfect for our grandsons, 5 and 2. We live on a farm and they love to visit and we adore them. They are both into books big time and that makes me a happy grandma. [email protected]
My son would love “I Wish I Were a Pilot”
Journey Home from Grandpa’s –
Book & Music CD, thanks!
Animal Boogie for sure…thanks!!!!!!
The book that grabbed my attention was, “Bee Man”. I thought it was reall relevant, especially with the number of bees dwindling in our world.
Thanks so much
we’d love The Barefoot Book of Pirates
The Bear books look adorable! Bear about Town! Too funny!
The Boy Who Grew Flowers
I like all the titles I saw but my favorite is Creepy Crawly Calypso. Thank you for the contest!
I like Alligator Alphabet. Thanks!
The Animal Boogie just sounds so fun!