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.
Who are you baby kangaroo!
Port Side Pirates appeals to me! 🙂
Ballet Stories looks great. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would have to say the Princess book would be what I would go for!
legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com
We love pirates +— We pick Port Side Pirates +—
The Journey Home From Grandpa’s.
I love Barefoot Books! Playtime Rhymes For Little People appeals to me because my four year old grandson loves to play rhyming games.
My boys would like the Pirate book.
Ballet Book my little girl takes Ballet and would love this book.
My grandson would love the Magic Train Ride, he loves trains
I love tales of wisdom and wonder. The art is beautiful and I love that it comes with a CD as well. thanks!
Creepy crawly calypso; my girls are huge fans of bugs:)
[email protected]
Definitely would be Portside Pirates since that’s what Grandpa is called because he goes fishing a lot.
i like the magic train ride book.
like the kangaroos
my daughter would love the princess book
the magic train ride is real cute
My son would love Asventures of Odysseus Thank you
Portside Pirates
African Animals ABC – Print looks cute!
The books look great. I know my son would love the Port Side Pirates. Thanks for the great opportunity 🙂
One book that looks really good to me is the book called Bunbun At Bedtime. Thanks!
Portside Pirates
the book of princesses looks great
my pick is Alligator Alphabet
“Alligator Alphabet”
Love books – all shape and sizes.
Thanks for this great back to school contest!
Alligator Alphabet or anything animal related! My son is obsessed with all that is animal! Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize!!
The Creepy Crawly Calypso looks fun! My little boy is obsessed with bugs right now!
Gigantic turnip is neat
Classic Poems
Barefoot Books are great! I love Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon.
My children would like this book. Alligator Alphabet looks like a great book too.
My little grandson would like We All Go Traveling By-Book & Music CD.Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Elusive Moose looks cool! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the grveaway!
We would love the Barefoot Book of Faeries!
Forest of Stories 🙂
Alligator Alphabet!
I would choose Abuelita fue al Mercad. Thanks!
Portside Pirates!
Ballet Stories looks really good
I like “Who Are You?”
[email protected]
We would like Animal Tales.
Thanks.
I think the My Daddy is a Pretzel one looks very cool – yoga poses, etc. That said, the A is for Alligator is a current fave at our house with my 17 month old.
My grandson would love The Barefoot Book of Pirates- Book & Story CD 😉
My boys voted and their choice is”I Took The Moon for a Walk”.
My favorite is The Journey Home from Grandpa’s!
I think Bear At Home sounds fun!
The Adventures of Odysseus
African Animals ABC!