The Starter Kit Sale gives you a great opportunity to get $300 worth of Barefoot Books for just $100.  Barefoot Books capture the imagination, spark curiosity, inspire creativity and instill a respect for cultural, social and ecological diversity.  Click to find out more about the Barefoot Books Ambassador Opportunity

Today is International Book Giving Day.   There are lots of great ways you can celebrate.  You can
1. Give a Book to a Friend or Relative. Celebrate International Book Giving Day by giving a child a new, used or borrowed book.

2. Leave a Book in a Waiting Room or Lobby. Choose a waiting room where kids are stuck waiting and there are few to no good books available. Purchase a good book, and deposit your book covertly or overtly in your waiting room of choice. The goal here is to spread the love of reading to kids, so choose a fun book, nothing controversial.

3. Donate a Book. Wrap up a box of children’s books that your kids have outgrown and get them in the hands of children who could really use a book or two. Donate your books to you library, children’s hospital, or shelter.   

Today ABC Barefoot Kids Books donated 2 books to our local school Library.  Our Librarian picked out The Princess and the White Bear King, and the Barefoot Book of Animal Tales. 

Why not spread the love of reading?  Give a book today!  To make it easier Barefoot Books is offering a 20% discount with the code "everafter"  and our "Happily Ever After" Sale.  Shop Now. 

Today, in Eastern Nebraska, we are enjoying a snow day.  The boys will be home from school any minute and will be excited that school let out early for the day. 
While the boys might like to go out and play in it for a bit, my favorite thing to do on a cold snowy day is to curl up with a good book.  Lucky for me a whole box of new Barefoot Books showed up on my porch this morning.  I can't think of a anything better than to crack open the box and see all the crisp paper and colorful photos in the new books.  Can't wait any more.......
Oh!  If you would like your own box of new books, click here to start shopping!

Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day!  Here is a count down of our top 10 favorite children’s books to enjoy that celebrate the multicultural world in which we live.

10.  The Wise Fool – Fables from the Islamic World

Meet Mulla Nasruddin, a legendary character whose adventures and misadventures are enjoyed across the Islamic world. This witty collection of stories portrays his eccentric, engaging and irreverent character. Nasruddin always has a twinkle in his eye, a sliver of wisdom in his ramblings, and a few good surprises up his sleeve! Ages 6 and up
Written By: Shahrukh Husain
Illustrated By: Micha Archer

9. Mama Panya’s Pancakes – A Village Tale from Kenya
On market day, Mama Panya’s son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give. There’s a bonus recipe for Mama Panya’s pancakes at the back of this book so you can carry the story into your kitchen!

Notable Books for a Global Society
Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award

Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Rich Chamberlin, Mary Chamberlin
Illustrated By: Julia Cairns

8. Jewish Tales
This engaging collection includes eight delightful tales from the Jewish tradition. Each story has been chosen for its appeal to families and each has a simple — yet powerful — message. Written by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, herself a mother of three, this is a fantastic set of stories to share and to treasure. Includes two story CDs narrated by Debra Messing. Ages 7 and up
Written By: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand
Illustrated By: Amanda Hall
Narrated By: Debra Messing

7. The Mountains of Tibet!
A Tibetan woodcutter dreams of exploring the world, but is too busy with his life to ever leave his valley. After he dies, he is taken on a journey through the cosmos and all the places on Earth as he makes choices that lead him to a new life. First published as part of the debut list for Barefoot Books in 1993, this gentle and inspiring look at life after death is just as relevant today. For all ages
Written By: Mordicai Gerstein

6. Lola’s Fandango
One of our favorites! Even if audible stories are not your thing you should make an exception and listen to the story-CD that comes with both the paperback and hardcover versions! It is very well done and truly brings the story to life!

Lola is a young Spanish girl in awe of her glamorous older sister. However, she discovers her own talent and duende, or spirit, through secret fandango lessons from her father. The text is infused with the rhythms, movements and sounds of the dance and the humanity of Lola’s family is beautifully portrayed by Micha Archer’s collage-paintings.

Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Anna Witte
Illustrated By: Micha Archer
Narrated By: The Amador Family

5. Tales from Old Ireland
Celebrate the wonder of Ireland with the seven enchanting stories in this captivating collection. The rich traditions of Irish storytelling are honored with larger-than-life characters, myths and legends around every bend, and plenty of magic. Book with double CDs include stories read by Grammy-nominated singer Maura O’Connell.

Ages 6 and up
Retold By: Malachy Doyle
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Maura O’Connell

4. The Girl with the Brave Heart
Shiraz, a kindhearted young girl growing up in Tehran, has a miserable life at home with her stepmother and stepsister, who treat her like a servant. When the wind blows Shiraz’s ball of wool into the garden next door, she spends the day helping and caring for the old lady who lives there, with miraculous results. Then her stepmother sends her own daughter off on the same mission . . . but will the results be the same?

This folktale is smartly illustrated and has a unique and  thought-provoking ending that may escape the youngest readers. I suggest this book for children on the higher end of the publisher’s recommended age range.

Ages 4 to 10 years
Written By: Rita Jahanforuz
Illustrated By: Vali Mintzi

10. The Farmyard Jamboree
Sing and dance along with a young boy who introduces different members of his family along with a new farmyard animal and animal baby on every page of this rollicking early learner, inspired by a Chilean folk tale.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus
Sung By: Bob King

2.  The Story Tree – Tales to Read Aloud

If you’re going to get just one new book from the list, CHECK THIS ONE OUT! The Story Tree was the perfect book to carry with us on our summer vacation this year. We read one of the seven stories from around the world each night and adored them all. A Jewish tale, called The Blue Button, is our personal favorite.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Retold By: Hugh Lupton
Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus

1. My Granny Went to Market – A Round the World Counting Rhyme
A charming tale for the youngest adventurers! Fly away with Granny and count with her from one to ten as she spins around the world on an unforgettable shopping trip. This colorful, rhyming story is followed by a counting page for reinforced learning. Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Christopher Corr
Click on any of these books to order from  ABC Barefoot Kids online store, and save 20% off your ENTIRE order with coupon code FIRST2014! code expires 31 March, 2014.

Here are photos of the top 10 books from 1 to 10.

The winter sale is back!  This is one of our most anticipated sales where you can take advantage of deep discounts on gorgeous gift books that your loved ones will enjoy reading over and over again.  Sale prices are good through January 31, 2014.  Start Shopping Now!

Now is the best time to join this awesome group of ambassadors.  You can get a great box of books with a retail value of over $300 now on sale for just $99.  That is too good of a deal to pass up on.  Plus, if you meet your kick start goal in the first 30 days, you can get even more free books!  Click on the link to find out more.
Did you know, there are only 3 Barefoot Books Ambassadors in the entire state of Nebraska?  This is a big state, and we need help getting the word out about these wonderful books.  This is a great opportunity that you won't want to miss out on.

A very Happy New Year to all of my likers, customers and Barefoot Books fans.  Thank you for making 2013 a great year to start ABC Barefoot Kids. 

Exciting times lie ahead for Barefoot in 2014 with a super sale starting 9th Jan,  an awesome reduction on our business in a box starter kit when becoming an Ambassador, and even more fundraising and chances to win free books.  See you in 2014! 

Books are gifts that are opened again and again, while sparking children’s imaginations and teaching them about the world. Enjoy 20% off all books, games, puppets and puzzles when you shop at (ENTER URL) now through Monday, 2 December and enter code FIRESIDE at checkout. So get cozy in front of the fire and choose some of the best gifts for all the children on your list, thank you!  Shop Now!
PS: If you need any suggestions, don’t hesitate to let me know.

Want a chance to win some great children's products while supporting your local economy?  Then vow to shop at least one local business on Small Business Saturday, November 30th 2013, and you are entered to win!  (We are on the honor system here folks and this contest us open to anyone in the US, so you are promising to shop where you live). Get extra entries by liking ABC Signing Kids and ABC Barefoot Kids  Facebook Pages or by following them on Twitter.  If you are in Southeast Nebraska, you can  get an extra entry by signing up with me in person on Small Business Saturday  at the Craft Fair during the Elmwood Holiday Extravaganza at Josoff's Fitness Center.   We will have some great specials!