Barefoot in Rochester

Stone Soup Storytime

2011-07-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves the classics! You simply can't go wrong with a well-loved theme such as Stone Soup. Here is a story time plan that brings the tale to life.

1. As children entered the story time room, I showed them my "magic stones" and offered the chance to play with them. Polished hematite stones are naturally magnetic and fun to play with. They make a musical buzzing sound as they clink together. I told the children that they were about to hear a story about a magical stone.

2. My storytime helper, the red hen, came out to greet each individual child with a cluck. She sat on my lap during the story, saying all of the lines of the hen in the Barefoot Books version of Stone Soup. You can see all of my Stone Soup Storytime props here:

3. As you know, Barefoot Books is my publisher of choice for my story times! Stone Soup can be found in Storytime, a collection of several traditional tales such as The Ugly Duckling, The Three Little Pigs, and Goldilocks and The Three Bears.

The children were instantly drawn in by the illustrations. Each time an animal knocked on the hen's door in the story, we knocked on the floor with a rat-a-tat-tat of our own. (Constant engagement and movement is vital to a successful story time for little ones!)

Ages 3-7

Retold by Stella Blackstone

Illustrated by Anne Wilson

The paperback comes with a CD narrated by Jim Broadbent

Audio stories on CD are an awesome way to keep kids engaged in the car, btw

3. After I read the story to the children, I gathered them around so that we could make our very own stone soup. If I were in an actual classroom situation, I would surely bring in real vegetables and broth so that we could create a healthy treat to eat! Still, pretend soup-making is a hit, too. We put my magic stones in the pot, pretended to add water, sprinkles of salt and pepper (with empty shakers) and a variety of vegetables--the paper variety for today. I also brought in some real herbs for the children to smell. Rosemary is nice! The children took turns stirring our imaginary soup with a big wooden spoon.

4. There is a lovely, rhyming recipe for Stone Soup on the DLTK website. Click here for the link. I gave every grown-up a copy of the poem, and every child an instrument. I always keep a supply of shakers, castanets, and tambourines handy. We did a variation of this Stone Soup song by Stephanie Burton on the Songs for Teaching web site. We chanted the chorus with the instruments, and then the grown-ups chanted verses of the DLTK poem. In between each stanza, the children chanted "Stone Soup! Stone Soup!" and played their instruments.

I hope you enjoy this Barefoot Books Stone Soup Storytime!

Barefoot Books Summer Sale

2011-07-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Up, Up, Up! PreK Balloon Story Time Lesson

2011-06-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a simple, yet engaging lesson for young children featuring two of my favorite Barefoot Books!

1. Warm-up wiggles & rhyme

2. Bring out an assortment of balloons. Talk about colors and shapes. Children count the number of puffs the teacher needs to blow up the balloon. Experiment by releasing balloons, pinching the air out quickly, slowly, etc.

3. Give one child a balloon to bounce as the class sings to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell:

child's name , bounce the balloon

Up, up, up, so high, so high

Bounce the balloon to the sky

4. Put the balloon on a small parachute and work together to bounce the balloon up high. Sing this version of the song:

Let's all bounce the balloon

Up, up, up, so high, so high

Bounce the balloon to the sky

5. Introduce hot air balloons. Show pictures. I described a hot air balloon ride that I once took.

6. Sing-along with the book Up, Up, Up! This Barefoot Book is written/performed by Susan Reed and illustrated by Rachel Oldfield. The children raised their hands (and bodies!) up, up, up and then touched the moon in the book. Darling! Watch and listen to the song here:

7. The concept of touching the moon was the perfect tie-in for our next book, I Took the Moon for a Walk, written by Carolyn Curtis and illustrated by Alison Jay. We watched carefully for nocturnal animals and the moon's red shoes. The end notes include information about the moon's phases and nocturnal animals. This is one of my all-time favorite Barefoot Books!

8. Another book that could complement this lesson is I Wish I Were a Pilot, written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Max Grover.

9. Provide a hot air balloon coloring page, such as the ones at this link from www.kids-n-fun.com

10. Give every child a balloon hand stamp, or do a simple balloon face-painting, or send every child home with a balloon!

*Remember that balloons can be a choking hazard for the very young.

American Cancer Society Fundraiser

2011-06-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Help our Michigan Kids Click Relay for Life team raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Boogie Babies of Rochester Hills is hosting a fabulous play day for kids! 50% of admission and 100% of raffle & pizza sales benefit the Cancer Society. Did I mention the raffles? LOTS of great prizes . . . such as Barefoot Books! Hope to see you there on June 10 from 2-6! If you can't make it, you can still donate to this great cause online. Follow this link to make an online donation. Thanks!

Barefoot Books at Rochester's Green Living Festival

2011-05-14T05:07:00.000-07:00

Come on out to Downtown Rochester for the Green Living Festival May 13-15. I'll be in the Michigan Kids Click tent in the Kids' Corner with Barefoot Books. You can purchase on site or pick up a flyer & I'll work with you to place an order for the perfect book!

From 4:00 - 5:00 I'll be on the kids' stage with Jenna from Mini Musicians/Music Together as we "Celebrate the Earth Through Story and Song." Sing, dance, and listen to some fantastic Barefoot stories from around the world.

Barefoot Story Time: What's Growing in Your Garden?

2011-05-12T03:53:00.000-07:00

It's spring! Finally. It's been a long wait here in Michigan. I spent hours and hours the other day weeding, planting, and soaking up some long-overdue sunshine. What a perfect time to share the love of gardening with children through story time!

I began with Driving My Tractor. It's a catchy, singalong book that allows children to count animals and make tractor sounds. Here's the Barefoot Books description:
Chug along with a farmer and his tractor on this multi-season animal adventure! A busy farmer picks up fifteen animals along his route, but when his trailer hits a stone, chaos ensues. This colorful book combines simple counting instruction with humor, repetition and rhythm to encourage learning fun. Book with CD edition includes song sung by acclaimed children’s performer SteveSongs.

You'll love the video, too:

Driving My Tractor's endnotes about what the farmer grows was a perfect segue into the next two books. We continued counting with the Russian folktale, The Gigantic Turnip. This story was not only super enjoyable, but it provided a great opportunity to teach the meaning of the words "sow" and "harvest." Homework was to go to the market with mom and buy a turnip to taste!

Finally, we concluded with What's This? A Seed's Story. This sweet story by Caroline Mockford teaches children how sunflowers grow. The endnotes include information on roots, shoots, flowers, and seeds.

We became sunflowers by doing this fingerplay. You can extend the learning by actually planting sunflower seeds, or by downloading a free sunflower coloring book from the National Sunflower Association.

Enjoy Springtime Stories from Barefoot Books!

Dog Story Time with Barefoot Books

2011-05-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

Dogs! Dogs! Dogs!

Here's a story time plan to honor man's (and child's) best friend.

I began by introducing all of the children to my best friend, Fido the Folkmanis puppet. He received lots of warm, friendly pats on the head!

Next, we played "I Spy" for dogs in I Spy the Sun in the Sky. The children were completely engrossed by the illustrations. This Barefoot Book was written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli.

It just isn't story time without a finger play. I modified a cute rhyme called "Five Little Puppies" from this link at www.childcarelounge.com. The last line is "This one was so quiet, he never made a sound," so I modified the gestures and made the index finger the last to disappear. We all said "Shhh!" and held up our finger to our lips at the end.

We became dogs by doing the Down Dog pose from Yoga Pretzels. We also played the classic "Doggie Doggie Where's Your Bone?"game.

Finally, we sang Knick Knack Paddy Whack and made floppy eared paper dogs as a craft. Woof!

Barefoot Books Giveaway for Easter

2011-04-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

I 'm giving away a Barefoot Book that's both a book and a singalong song for the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop Giveaway April 20-25. Children (and adults!) will love the upbeat version of Knick Knack Paddy Whack. I am giving away one hardcover book with musical CD valued at $16.99.

Here's the publisher's description: Sing along with this rollicking take on a traditional tune that introduces instruments and counts from one to ten. There are educational notes about instrument families as well as a simple music score at the end. Book with CD editions include song sung by acclaimed children's performer SteveSongs.

Ages 3 to 7 years

Illustrated By: Christiane Engel, Sung By: SteveSongs

You can listen to the music here:

To enter, simply do any of the following and leave a comment letting me know. Four entries max. U.S. residents only please:
1. Follow this blog
2. Join my mailing list
3. Follow me on Facebook
4. Follow me on Twitter

Many thanks to I Am a Reader Not a Writer and Once Upon a Twilight for hosting this fun event!

Pirate Story Time with Barefoot Books

2011-03-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ahoy thar mateys! Set sail for a fun, nautical prek story time. Here's what we did today at the Barefoot Books Boogie Babies story time (every Tuesday at 10:00.)

Warm-up Rhyme . . . made this one up myself!
Shiver me timbers
Shiver me toes
Wiggle me fingers
Wiggle me nose
Just look at all the pirates I see (look at the children through a paper towel roll "telescope")
Ahoy there mateys
Let's sail the sea!

Next, everyone got to their feet to sing If You're a Pirate and You Know It! I modified a fantastic version I found online from the Born Librarian.

Once the wiggles are out, it's time for a book! My story time audience is usually quite young, so we read Barefoot Books' Ship Shapes. This is hands down THE best shapes book I've come across, especially for boys. We used our fingers to draw imaginary shapes in the air and on the ground. The older children came up to count and point to shapes. We also kept our eyes peeled for pirates!

There are some wonderful "Five Little Pirate" fingerplays you can find online or even create yourself. I made these finger puppets from kid.com.au to help me share the rhyme with the kids. Cute, huh?

Finally, we read and sang a crowd favorite, Portside Pirates from Barefoot Books! (Click the link to order--this book is absolutely perfect for a pirate story time!) It was great fun to do dance/hand motions with the refrain. You can listen to the song here:

There is a treasure trove of pirate crafts out there, but today I just opted for coloring sheets. My favorites come from Kaboose.

Hope you enjoy being a Barefoot pirate!

A Tisket a Tasket a Barefoot Easter Basket

2011-03-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

This Easter, the Bunny is bringing BOOKS in my kids' Easter baskets. (Along with some candy, and maybe a hamster, too!) Check out the lovely spring-themed books, puppets, and gifts to help make your child's basket both fun and educational. If you order online, enter the code AMBTWY to save 20%. Orders of $60 or more still receive free shipping throughout April.

Kid's Garden Card Deck
LOVE this! So many fantastic ideas to get your kids outside & growing. Consider pairing it with garden gloves, tools, and packets of seeds.

What's This? A Seed's Story
Another great book to pair with gardening items.

Who's in the Garden?
Such a fun peek-a-boo book for little ones. Tell the story with a hand or finger puppet of a rabbit or hedgehog!

Inspire creativity and imagination by including a Folkmanis puppet in this year's Easter basket. I recommend:

Hedgehog Finger Puppet

Bunny Finger Puppet

Bunny Hand Puppet

Ladybug Hand Puppet

Hoping your Easter baskets are filled with joy, sweets, imagination, and learning!

St. Patrick's Day Story Time

2011-03-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

I did a "Lucky Leprechaun" story time this week. Hope you enjoy the ideas for a St. Patrick's Day circle time of your own!

We began with moms & little ones dancing together to Irish music. After all, what better way is there to get the leprechauns to come out? I chose "Morrison's Jig." Here are some other fun Irish music selections:

Lo and behold, it did work! Five Little Leprechauns came out to dance and "finger" play! I found the following little rhyme (and several others) at www.preschooleducation.com. Click here for the direct link.

Five little leprechauns were dancing on the shore.

The king waved a magic wand, and then there were________.

Four little leprechauns were dancing merrily.

The king waved a magic wand, and then there were________.

Three little leprechauns danced a jig as they can do.

The king waved a magic wand, and then there were_________.

Two little leprechauns were dancing on the run.

The king waved a magic wand, and then there were _______.

One little leprechaun was lonely as could be.

The king called the leprechauns and gave them cakes and tea.

(original author unknown)

I brought out five little leprechauns made from images I found at clipart.com. The children LOVED taking turns waving my magic wand and making a leprechaun disappear. Here's a photo of my props:

Next, I played a few leprechaun games that I created and wrote about in this article: Leprechaun Games for Kids.

We played Leprechaun Treasure hide-n-seek, and "Blarney, Blarney, Blarney Stone!" (Duck, Duck, Goose.)

The story I selected is a clever little folktale called "Leprechaun Gold" from The Barefoot Book of Faeries.

We closed with a short coloring page. I used the Little Leprechaun coloring page from Family Fun.

Happy Story Time!

Children's Books for St. Patrick's Day from Barefoot Books

2011-03-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Barefoot Books offer a diverse collection of folktales from around the world. Stories from Ireland are no exception. Explore Irish, Celtic, and leprechaun stories for St. Patrick's Day. Excellent Irish selections include:
Tales from Old Ireland
Tales from Celtic Lands
The Faerie's Gift is a traditional and clever tale . . . a favorite at our house!
The Barefoot Book of Blessings includes Irish blessings
The Barefoot Book of Faeries includes a leprechaun story

And the lyrical music of Putumayo's Celtic Dreamland CD will set the Irish mood. Enjoy this track from the CD: The Dove's Return, by Aine Minogue. Beautiful!

Use the code AMBTWY to save an extra 20%. Click the image to begin shopping. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

National Tooth Fairy Day: Puppets, Projects, and Coloring

2011-02-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

There is, indeed, a national day of everything! And today, February 28, it is none other than National Tooth Fairy Day. I am in the midst of the tooth fairy years with my 8 year old, and my kindergartner regularly checks his teeth for wiggles with typical younger sib envy.

I've collected some resources to help you celebrate the one and only Tooth Fairy!

I adore this pretty tooth fairy finger puppet by Folkmanis, complete with a little pocket for a lost tooth. Way too girly for my boys, but I can still admire her!

Feeling crafty and want to make your own tooth fairy pillow-pocket? Check out this sewing project from about.com. For a fun kids' project, about.com delivered again with this Tooth Saver.

The cutest tooth fairy coloring pages I found on my internet hunt led me to lucylearns.com. Fantastic story resources, too.

Finally, let me introduce you to Twinkle the Tooth Fairy. Such a delightful song!

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day!

Celebrate Tell a Fairy Tale Day with Barefoot Books

2011-02-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, (or as my little guy likes to say "Once upunce a time") there was a snowy, blowy month known as February. The icy chill and gray skies of this little month had sent all of its subjects scurrying home to a cozy, crackling fire. And a nice mug of hot cocoa . . . with marshmallows. Of course, everyone knows that whenever family, friends, or even strangers gather at a crackling fire with a mug of hot cocoa, tales simply must be told. Thus, February proclaimed, "Let the 26th be forevermore Tell a Fairy Tale Day." (Cue dramatic trumpet flourishes and royal subjects rejoicing!)

This February 26, gather your family, open a book, and share a "happily ever after" that is destined to reside in every child's imagination.

Here are some classic (and not so classic) fairy tale collections from Barefoot Books. The stories beg to be read again and again, and even passed on from generation to generation. Why not celebrate "Tell a Fairy Tale Day" by giving the gift of a book that deserves a place on every child's bookshelf?

The must-have is the Barefoot Book of Fairy Tales. These are the classics: Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rumpelstiltskin, and more.

We've been reading and enjoying The Fabrics of Fairytale over the past week in my home. Fabric is the thread that weaves these seven lesser-known folktales together. Wonderfully spun tales!

And no fairy tale telling could be complete without princesses! You'll meet seven remarkable young ladies in The Barefoot Book of Princesses.

Also check out The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Tale (A math-inspired version of the Princess and the Pea) and The Princess and the White Bear King (a story reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast.)

May your Tell a Fairy Tale Day be filled with warmth, stories, and lots of happy endings!

Celebrate National Polar Bear Day with Books, Puppets, and More

2011-02-21T12:07:00.000-08:00

National Polar Bear Day: February 27
image from clipart.com

I love polar bears! Did you know that they have a special day? That's right . . . February 27 is National Polar Bear Day. Here are some fun facts about polar bears from Polar Bears International (check them out to learn more about conservation and saving polar bears!):

Polar bears are also called sea bears. They are strong swimmers.
The closest relative to the polar bear is the brown bear.
Polar bears live in the Arctic north . . . but NOT in Antarctica!
Polar bears have two layers of fur and a thick layer of fat to keep them warm in temps as low as -50℉.
There are 20,000-25,000 polar bears in the world. They are a threatened species.
The largest polar bear ever was 2209 pounds. Wowee! Most males are 775-1200 pounds. Females weigh less.
When polar bear cubs are born they look like white rats! As they grow they are very well behaved.

Check out these preschool polar bear crafts from brighthub.com and The Polar Bear Song on youtube.com

Make a polar bear sandwich. Here's my cutie from several years ago with his polar bear PB& J:

This polar bear puppet will melt your heart!

For a wonderful fairy tale featuring a polar bear, read The Princess and the White Bear King.

Celebrate polar bears on January 27 with Barefoot Books!

Win a Barefoot Book: Facebook Giveaways

2011-02-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

Come follow me on Facebook and enter to win one of these beautiful Barefoot Books.

I am a sponsor in 2000 Fan Celebration at the Mom in Bed by 8 Facebook page. I am giving away one copy of I Wish I Were a Pilot. Go to the 2000 Fan Giveaway Celebration, click the first image for directions, then look for this picture:

There are lots of great prizes! Contest ends 2/25/11.

Next, hop on over to the Bless Others with Cards Facebook page. As a sponsor there, I am donating one hardcover copy of Storytime, a collection of seven classic tales. This is a must-have for your child's library! Go to the 4000 Fan Celebration and click the first image for rules and directions. The Storytime book is in Album 1. Look for this image:

There are currently over 200 sponsors giving away great prizes. Contest ends 3/4/11 as long as Bless Others with Cards reaches 4000 fans.

U.S. residents only for both book giveaways. Please do NOT comment on this post unless you just want to say Hi! You must go to the Facebook pages to enter the giveaways.

I look forward to seeing you on Facebook!

Valentine Story Time at the Funky Frog

2011-02-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure of doing a special story time at the Funky Frog Children's Resale Boutique in downtown Rochester. What a cozy little place to share some Barefoot Books!

The children and I love If You're Happy and You Know It. There are some fantastic multicultural images to explore and the song is so fun!

I also donned my magic beret for a Bilingual Bear in a Square - L'Ours dans un carrée lesson. You see, when I put on my magic hat, I can only speak French! After identifying shapes in the book, we went "fishing" for different colored hearts by dangling a magnet over hearts w/paper clips on them.

Bilingual Bear went on a fun, little parachute ride, too!

After the mini-French lesson, the children could make their own French valentine or bookmark. Stamps, stickers, doilies, and art supplies kept everyone busy!

20% of all book sales on Saturday will be donated to a local charity. Charlotte's Wings provides books for children to area hospitals. I'm happy to give Barefoot Books to such a wonderful cause!

Story Time Feelings: If You're Happy and You Know It, Meet Emily's Tiger

2011-02-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

I've been planning my next Barefoot Books story time at Boogie Babies. The theme this week is feelings. We'll start off with a nice cheery sing-along, If You're Happy and You Know It. I love, love, love the multicultural children in the illustrations by Sophie Fatus. The Barefoot Books version of this song was written by Anna McQuinn and is sung by Susan Reed.

Next, we'll hear a story about a little girl who is not so happy. In fact, Emily is so ANGRY that she turns into a tiger. Check out my review of Emily's Tiger here. Can Emily learn how to tame her mad tiger and become a happy one?

We'll close with a simple tiger stick puppet craft. (Notice he's a happy tiger!) Here's the prototype created by my five year old:

How to make a stick tiger puppet:

1. Print off the blank tiger head below on cardstock. I found the head on clipart.com, then edited it to make the face blank.

2. Color black stripes and an orange background.

3. Add googly eyes, a pom-pom nose, and a happy (or angry!) mouth.

4. Glue to a craft stick.

Picture Book Reading Challenge

2011-01-31T19:48:00.000-08:00

Not only am I challenging myself to write picture books in 2011, I'm also challenging myself to read more of them to my children. It's really starting to dawn on me--my youngest is 5 1/2. How much longer do we have to enjoy picture books together? Something I read years ago stuck with me . . . you never know when you read Goodnight Moon for the last time with your child. Maybe I already have :-(

Anyway, on to the challenge! My goal is "Growing," to read 120 picture books with my child. I would have liked to aim for the highest level ("Harvesting" 200 books) but I know that we will be reading chapter books as well. I'll be writing more reviews of the Barefoot Books we read.

Find out more about the Picture Book Reading Challenge at www.theresabook.com

Now let's go read!

Picture Book Marathon

2011-01-31T18:48:00.000-08:00

I think I'm starting to panic! On a whim, I entered the Picture Book Marathon. Beginning tomorrow, I'm going to join over 400 other children's writers around the world in writing a (rough) picture book manuscript every day for 26 days. Hence, the marathon.

I still have a hard time considering myself a writer. I've dreamt about writing books for children forever. Have you? My writing life started in the second grade, but then it got beaten out of me in high school and early college. (My personal experience with public education did not include a sense of nurtured creativity.)

About a dozen years ago my desire to write re-emerged. I took local writing workshops as well as two courses through the Institute of Children's Literature. Some of my non-fiction, rhyming stories, poetry, and craft ideas were published in children's magazines. I faithfully attended children's writer groups and joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I was on my way and loving every minute. But once my first child arrived on the scene 8 years ago, the writing got moved to the back burner. In fact, I can't remember the last time I worked on a manuscript.

I stumbled on the Picture Book Marathon, and out of the blue I decided that I needed to do this. Gulp. My oldest son is now in the 2nd grade--the same age I was when I decided I wanted to be a writer. So, I'm taking my kids along with me on this crazy ride! I pulled out my 10 cent notebooks (I stock up at every Back-to-School sale) and designated one for Mom and one for each of my boys. The 5 year old isn't quite up to writing yet, but if you ask him--or even if you don't--he'll tell you he's an artist. He'll be honing his illustrating skills through his amazing pictures that are, indeed, worth a thousand adventurous words.

When I want to write creatively I MUST have pretty colored notebooks and smooth flowing pens. I'm old-fashioned I guess--computers just don't bring out my imagination in the same way :-)

I'm going public with my crazy commitment so that I don't give up. It really does feel crazy. I don't even have a kernel of a story idea at the moment. But I guess that's what makes this exciting, too. Whenever I show up pen in hand, something surprising happens.

I'm at the starting line. Wish me luck!

Story Time Safari: Animal Boogie

2011-01-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

I've been having great fun doing story time at Boogie Babies in Rochester Hills. We went on safari last week. Remember Going on a Bear Hunt? Well, we clapped our legs and chanted "Going on Safari! Going on Safari! What will we see? What will we see?" Holding our hands up to our eyes like binoculars, I described wild jungle animals for the children to guess.

After finding a giraffe, lion, and elephant, we became elephants with a little yoga. Yoga Pretzels are laminated card decks of kid-friendly yoga poses. Elephant Breath was great fun! We sprinkled ourselves with water, giggles, and peanuts!

Next stop on story time safari . . . Two Elephants Went Out to Play. Using a parachute as a spider's web, we tossed paper elephants on to play. Ever call an elephant? "Here, elee, elee, elee!"

For the grand safari finale, we read and sang my favorite Barefoot Books Singalong: The Animal Boogie. Check it out:

I found the following YouTube clip and studied the dance moves of this energetic teacher. The kids LOVED it!

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Children's Books

2011-01-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year is February 3, 2011. Find out more about Chinese New Year traditions, festivals, and activities by following this link to theholidayspot.com

Click the image to explore the Barefoot Books about Chinese culture.

Grandmothers' Stories Giveaway Winner

2011-01-18T05:31:00.000-08:00

Random.org chose comment #37 in the Dreaming of Books Giveaway. Congratulations to Lexigurl for winning Grandmothers' Stories: Wise Woman Tales from Many Cultures.

The comments from this giveaway are filled with treasures. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading the tributes to grandmothers and other wise women. It made this giveaway special to me, and brought to mind my own grandmas. One grandmother gave me a love of travel, music, and teaching; the other instilled a legacy of home, gentleness, and cooking (well . . . I try but can't come close to the cooking!) And then there's my own mom, who guides me daily with wisdom as I raise my boys.

I'd like to highlight some of the wonderful tributes to wise women. They may be missed in the comment section of the giveaway post, and I want these women to be honored and serve as an inspiration to us all:

polly said... another wise woman i admired was my mother. she always had kind things to say about everyone. she gave me many life lessons that i passed along to my children. i miss her terribly!

Karen said... I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers who taught me so much about life and gave me wisdom that I will pass down to my grandchildren.

Shooting Stars Mag said... i really admire my mom (who will be a grandma in the next few months!!). she's been through a lot but is very strong and listens well, and gives good advice...and she's one of my best friends

SiNn said... My grandmom was my best friend she taught me so much she was awesome and my best friend ever one thing i loved that she taught me the most was this line and it sits well with me forever

i asked her about soul mates and she said

you will find someone who make u understand why the sun sets the moon rises you meet the person who makes everything make sence even when your worlds upside down and backwards

Connie Black said... I would love to give a shout out to my Grandmother Regina. She was extremely wise, caring, and beautiful and I miss her daily!

Patty said... I want to give tribute to my own grandmother and namesake. She taught me to give my all to everything I do and to always strive to be my best. Wonderful lessons and I use them every day!

Anonymous said...I want to recognize my mother-in-law, a wonderful, generous spirit and a terrific cook. I learned so much from her. I'm very lucky! Rosita

Anonymous said...My mother-in-law was an amazing cook! I especially loved her tripe stew (It's a specialty dish and an acquired taste . . . Nobody else loved it nearly as much as I did!) She made it just for me with lots of love. Anthony

Lexigurl said...I love my nana and I admire her cooking!

Briana said... My grandmother is the best teacher!!! She's the person who inspired me to be a teacher! I was lucky enough to receive her natural born talent. : ) I strive to be like her in my classroom everyday!!!

Alicia C. said... My grandmother introduced me to my favorite hobby, baking, before I even knew I liked it! She would have me help her in the kitchen all of the time and I hated it. During my 20's, I wouldn't even go near a stove. Well, one year, I decided I'd try to make Christmas cookies. I had so much fun. And here's the important part: I remembered all of those little tips and tricks she told me about way back when I was 9 or 10. Now, whenever I need time to myself, I head to the kitchen to make bread, cookies, etc. She recently told me that, as the mother of 6 kids, baking was the only time she had to herself and that's why she loved it so much. I agree.

Janelle said...My grandmother was one of my favorite wise & loving women in my life. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her!

katklaw777 said...My Busia(Polish grandma) was a calm, wonderfully wise women. As a child I could visit her in her room(she lived with us) and talk about many things or just sit quietly with her.

lgm52 said...My mother is one of the wisest women I know. She's always been so patient, explaining whatever the issue is/was, she's kind, loving, a super Mom and Grandmother, and a wonderful Christian woman.

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...My grandmother died at age 106. When she was age 102, she was playing scrabble with Aunt Nell. Aunt Nell asked her "where's the dictionary?" Gran's answer "Over there on the sofa." Aunt Nell asked her, "why is it there?"

Gran: "I was teaching myself the Greek alphabet."

Laura H. said...I was blessed with two wonderful grandmothers! One lived in the country and the other lived in the city. My "city grandma" taught me how to embroider, which led to my love of cross stitch, and my "country grandma" taught me how to make pies. Both "crafts" I continue to enjoy today.

Feel free to continue the tributes and honor a grandmother or other wise woman in the comments. ♥

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop: Grandmothers' Stories CONTEST CLOSED

2011-01-13T21:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Dreaming of Books hoppers! Enter for your chance to win Grandmothers' Stories: Wise Woman Tales from Many Cultures. Published by Barefoot Books, the stories are retold by Burleigh Muten, illustrated by Sian Bailey, and read aloud on CD by Olympia Dukakis. (Yes--you get a CD, too!) While this is book perfect for reading aloud to children, it will also be enjoyed by adults. The stories are from Senegal, Japan, Russia, Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, and Sweden.

"I'm proud to give my voice to these wise women, who will enrich our children's appreciation for the gifts of elders." -- Olympia Dukakis

Here's how to enter (U.S. residents only, please.)

Do any of the following for an entry (5 max) with a separate comment for each.

1. Follow this link and check out the Barefoot Books Winter Sale. Comment with the title of one book you like.

2. Comment with a short tribute to a grandmother or other wise woman you admire.

3. Follow me on FaceBook.

4. Tweet about this giveaway.

5. Join my mailing list. (You'll receive a 20% coupon code!)

This giveaway will close at midnight EST Monday, January 17. I will select a winner using random.org Please be sure that you supply an email address where I can contact you, either through your profile or in the comment.

Now, hop on over to another book giveaway. Good luck!

Make Money on Your Blog with Barefoot Books

2011-01-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

Although Barefoot in Rochester is a brand new blog, I've been a blogger for a few years now. I began my first site, Foreign Language Fun, back in the summer of 2008 and it's still going strong! I never aspired to be any sort of pro-blogger, but it is nice to earn a little money for the massive effort.

I first signed on as a Barefoot Books Ambassador to promote the books (which my kids and I love) as an affiliate on my web site. But Barefoot Books quickly turned into much more than just another an affiliate in my life. As I became more familiar with the company's values and connected with people on the forums, I found that this was a community I wanted to be a part of. Furthermore, I wanted to bring these amazing books into my own local community.

I got out there and shared books at holiday craft & vendor shows, ladies' nights out, home parties, and fundraisers. I've lined up my first early childhood education conference as an exhibitor, and I'm starting to offer storytimes/book sales in the community. I'm like a kid at Christmas when boxes of books are delivered to my door. "Living Barefoot" has become a passion, and now (obviously) is deserving of its own blog!

Back to making money on your blog with Barefoot Books . . . if you blog as a mom or teacher, consider signing up as an Ambassador and joining my team (Diane Farrug). It doesn't matter where in the U.S. you live, and you can sell just online if that's what you prefer. There's no cost to sign up and you are provided with your own online marketplace free of charge. The commissions are generous, starting at 20% of every sale. I'd be happy to help you every step of the way :-)

Click here for more information and contact me at Diane@PinkPoodleFrench.com if you have any questions.

Free Barefoot Books Story Times at Boogie Babies

2011-01-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

I'll be offering free Barefoot Books storytime Tuesdays at 10:00 at Boogie Babies Family Fun Center. I can't wait to get started! I've already made up a hello/goodbye song, and I plan to incorporate puppets, dancing, and a lot of movement. The hardest part is decided which books and stories to read. I have too many favorites! If you live in the Rochester Hills area, bring your kids and stop by. I'll have books available for purchase, too.

Be My Friend at GoodReads

2011-01-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

Love reading and discussing books? Did you know you can do it with an entire online community? I just found out about a great site called GoodReads.com from @simplystacienet on Twitter. You can keep track of the books you've read, as well as those you want to read. Your network of friends can make book recommendations and you can participate in online book clubs. I read "grown-up" books (of course!) as well as a wide variety of kidlit, from board books to YA. GoodReads has me covered on all fronts!

I joined the other day, and I'll be honest . . . I could use a few friends to make this even more fun.

If you are a member of GoodReads or if you'd like to be one, come friend me HERE & we'll talk books!

More of Diane's books »

A Bloggy Mom Blog Hop

2011-01-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

Hop along with me to visit some great Mom blogs! This one's sponsored by Bloggy Moms. Enjoy!

Barefoot Books Winter Sale and Coupon Code

2011-01-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Barefoot Books is holding its annual Winter Sale now through February 8, 2011. Click the image to start shopping! I just placed a huge order today for my upcoming January events.

Here are my personal top picks for each category . . .

Babies: There's a Cow in the Cabbage Patch
Toddlers: I Spy the Sun in the Sky
Ages 4-7: Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon (my 5 yr. old loves this!)
Ages 8-11: Tales of Mystery and Magic
Bestsellers: My 8 yr old loves knights, so I'll have to pick 2 . . . Arthur of Albion AND The Barefoot Book of Knights

Lots and lots on sale!

Do you have any favorites that are currently on sale? What looks good?

I know that shipping charges can be a bummer, so if you'd like to place an order, be sure to join my mailing list and I'll send you a 20% coupon code to help offset those expenses. Enjoy!

Healthy Living for Kids: Yoga and More!

2011-01-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

We are making a real effort here in our Barefoot home to be healthier in 2011. I've been passing out the morning vitamins, juicing like crazy, and driving the boys to gymnastics and swimming. We've also incorporated some treadmill distance competitions (I tally distances on the fridge) and we begin our days with some kid-friendly yoga. (In fact, the Yoga Planet deck is currently on sale at Barefoot Books!)

Click the image for more products to help your family live healthy in 2011.

Barefoot Books and First Book Give Back: Preschool Book Donations

2011-01-03T18:58:00.000-08:00

I love being a Barefoot Books Ambassador not only because of the great stories and beautiful artwork for kids, but also because this children's publishing company cares about giving back. For every order during the month of November, Barefoot Books partnered with First Book® or Book Aid to donate one book to a child in need. The happy kids in this video clip are among the 4000 deserving recipients. So
much joy!

Emily's Tiger: A Book to Help Kids Handle Anger

2011-01-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Emily's Tiger by Miriam Latimer
Published by Barefoot Books

When I asked my 5 year old, "Mr. B", about his favorite Barefoot Book, he didn't hesitate: Emily's Tiger. He was tickled to be the subject of an interview. Here's what he had to say about the book:

So, Mr. B, what's your favorite Barefoot Book?

I like Emily's Tiger.

What's it about?

Emily turns into a tiger when she won't eat carrots because she doesn't like them.

What does Emily do when she's a tiger?

She's super mad. She says ROAR!!!

Do you ever turn into a tiger and say ROAR?

No.

So, what do you do when you get mad?

Walk away and count up to ten.

That's what we're practicing. But what really happens sometimes?

I get super mad and say bad words and hurt things.

Like a tiger?

Uh-huh.

What does Emily learn about being a tiger?

At the very end Granny teaches her how to jump over the moon and climb trees.

It's fun to be a happy tiger!

This book is a creative and imaginative way to talk to your kids about anger. Great story, colorful illustrations. A+

Audio Books for Kids: Barefoot Stories, Downloads, and Peaceful Car Rides

2010-12-28T04:13:00.000-08:00

Santa got an amazing deal on a couple of mp-3 players for my boys (ages 5 & 8.) For just $20 on sale, my kids are now high-rollers with their headphones and "ipods" like Mom and Dad. These were, in fact, the only techie gifts they received this year in our effort to become a more unplugged family. No video games. No beeping, buzzing, obnoxious toys. Just regular toys, books, pillow pets, trading cards, and the mp-3 players.

All I have to say is THANK YOU, SANTA! The mp-3 players were really for me, weren't they? I loaded them with music and with all of our Barefoot Book cd's: The Story Tree, The Barefoot Book of Knights, The Barefoot Book of Pirates, Tales of Mystery and Magic (new at our home this Christmas), and The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts, and Goblins. Besides our own Barefoot collections, there are also tons of freebies on the Barefoot Podcast. My 8 year-old loves The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

The kids aren't too interested in the music yet. But for car rides, I've been passing out the mp-3 players, setting up a Barefoot story of choice, and marveling at the peace and quiet! (Confession: last week I had to stop the car three times on what should have been a 20-minute trip because of sibling fighting. Argh!)

Before discovering Barefoot Books, I had never really used audio books with my children. But I can't read aloud while driving or fixing dinner. Now, I find that time listening to engaging stories on CD or as a download is time well-spent. I enjoy them, too! The multicultural story collections with CD are a fantastic deal. And now by downloading the CD's I'm getting even more bang for my buck.

If you don't own any Barefoot books yet, I urge you to check out the free podcasts for your kids. I know you'll be impressed!

Image by clipart.com

Travel Journal Giveaway: Contest Closed

2010-12-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

My Travel Journal
Illustrated by Christopher Corr
Produced by Mudpuppy Press

I'm really excited to be doing my first Barefoot in Rochester giveaway! I chose the travel journal as a welcome to my travel-loving ForeignLanguageFun.com friends.

As a French teacher, I have led my share of educational trips. I've traveled with students between the ages of 10 and 18 to cool places such as Quebec, France, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Spain. I always require my student-travelers to maintain a travel journal. It's all too easy to forget first impressions, new foods, place names, etc. if they aren't written down. Besides, journaling provides a valuable activity for long bus rides or delayed flights. I still treasure the journals I kept on my first trip to Europe in 1984, and during my junior year abroad in 1988. As a teacher, I've kept journals to record memories and tips for future trips.

Now that I'm a mom, I want my own children to journal their travel experiences, too, whether in the U.S. or abroad. This fun 124-page travel journal, designed for children ages 5-11, helps me do just that. It is chock full of great activities: games, mazes, story prompts, packing lists, and more.

I'll be giving away one travel journal on January 1, 2011 as a way of celebrating the new year.

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment about how your child can use this travel journal. Any exciting trips coming up? Trips you're dreaming about? Why do you value travel journals?

Additional entries:

You can complete any of the following for a max of 6 additional entries. Please leave a new, separate comment for each:

1. Follow Barefoot in Rochester on Facebook. (See right sidebar)

2. Join my Barefoot Books mailing list. (See right sidebar)

3. Check out the Barefoot Books catalog & tell me which books/products you like.

4. Blog about this giveaway. Comment w/link.

5. Post a link about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter. (One entry for each.)

Contest ends at midnight EST, New Year's Eve 2010. I will select a winner using random.org on January 1, 2011.

Because of shipping costs, American residents only, please. And please make sure that a contact email is available through your comments.

Happy New Year! May 2011 be filled with travel, adventure, and good books!

Two Barefoot Books on Smithsonian's 2010 Notable Books for Children

2010-12-18T06:04:00.000-08:00

Smithsonian's 2010 Notable Books for Children list presents some of the best children's literature of 2010. Two Barefoot Books made the list!

Who’s in the Garden? By Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Jill McDonald
An inventive lift-the-flap book reveals the creatures hidden in the green world of furrows, blossoms and flourishing vegetables.

The Arabian Nights by Wafa’ Tarnowska, illustrated by Carole Henaff
The Lebanese-born author offers a magnificent new translation of eight tales from the legendary story cycle, based on a 14th-century manuscript.

So proud to represent Barefoot Books in Rochester!

Read-Aloud Tips from NAEYC

2010-12-16T19:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to @NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) on Twitter, I just came across a great article about reading aloud to young kids:

The Power of Planning: Developing Effective Read-Alouds by Meagan K. Shedd and Nell K. Duke

Planning and preparation can make any read-aloud time more successful. And successful read-alouds can lead to an increase in children's literacy skills and language development. By asking a variety of questions, encouraging discussion, and giving the opportunity to make predictions, a parent or teacher will actively engage children in learning. Many of the researchers' tips on choosing engaging books reinforce my love of Barefoot Books:

"Look for books with powerful illustrations that will capture children's attention." Check.

"Choose books that reflect the diversity, values, and interests of children in the classroom." Check.

"Select books with high-quality writing." Check.

"Select books that offer opportunities for learning . . . " Check.

As a teacher, I value the content-rich end notes in many of Barefoot's rhyming picture books. As imagination and phonemic awareness are developed through well-crafted rhyming stories, children are also learning about topics such as planets (Star Seeker), phases of the moon (I Took the Moon for a Walk), bees (The Beeman), or world cultures (Off We Go to Mexico, We All Went on Safari, We're Sailing Down the Nile, or Up and Down the Andes.)

Ah, the power of the read-aloud!

Image by clipart.com

All I Want for Christmas are Some Barefoot Books

2010-12-15T05:36:00.000-08:00

My Christmas bears are reading this year! Now I've just got to get some Barefoot Books in their paws. Here's what's on their list . . .

Nothing like cuddling up with a great book before hibernation :-)

Happy Holidays from Cleo!

2010-12-11T18:40:00.001-08:00

Order Barefoot Books in Time for Christmas

2010-12-08T19:12:00.000-08:00

ORDER BY DECEMBER 15 FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY! It's not too late to give a child the gift of imagination this holiday season! Order books, puppets, CD's, or games from Barefoot Books. Not sure what to buy? Consider sending a Barefoot Books gift card (no shipping!) or contact me for personal recommendations. (Diane@PinkPoodleFrench.com). Click the image to begin shopping:

Barefoot Books at la Sala's Sip & Shop

2010-12-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I was done "Barefooting" for 2010, but I'm really excited to be sharing books at just one more event this year. I'll be close to home at the la Sala Banquet Center's first annual "Sip & Shop" on Thursday, December 9 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. If you've never been to la Sala, it's at the corner of Rochester Rd. & Tienken in the Papa Joe's plaza. What a gorgeous place! Admission is free, and food and beverage are available for purchase. Hope to see you there!

20% Off Black Friday Sale -- Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-11-23T05:28:00.000-08:00

Starting Thursday, November 25 until midnight Monday, November 29, Barefoot Books will be running a store-wide sale. You will enjoy a 20% discount on Barefoot Books' entire range of books, puppets, music and more by entering the special offer code HARVEST at checkout. Don't forget that you'll also receive free shipping on those orders over $60. Not only is this a great sale, but Barefoot Books is also going to keep giving back by donating a book to First Book for each order placed in November.

Take advantage of these limited-time savings to stock up for the holiday/Christmas season.

Click the image to start shopping!

Oakland Steiner School Holiday Bazaar

2010-11-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Oakland Steiner School for an absolutely WONDERFUL Holiday Bazaar. This is one event I know I'll want to return to again and again. The crafters were outstanding. The children's activities were awesome, too--I'll have to bring my kids next time for the puppet plays, jumprope winding, silk dyeing, wet felting, and more. And, oh the food! Delicious and healthy. Soups, salads, gourmet grilled cheese, all served up with great entertainment.

The place smelled amazing . . . homemade waffles, scented oils, soaps, soups . . . ahhhhhh!

What a unique, not-to-miss event!

It was a pleasure to meet so many fellow book lovers and kindred spirits. My day ended on a perfect note as I listened to a big sister reading Barefoot Books aloud to little sister as I packed up. That's what it's all about!

Check out the gorgeous sign Oakland Steiner School provided for my booth:

Thanks again for an awesome event! If I met you at Oakland Steiner School's Holiday Bazaar and there is anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to contact me at Diane@PinkPoodleFrench.com

Merci :-)

Barefoot Gift Sets

2010-11-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

While shopping for Christmas gifts, remember the tremendous value of a well-written, beautifully illustrated BOOK. I've put together this flyer to highlight a few of Barefoot Book's gift sets. It's nice to have a gift already put together according to age/theme. Pricing is great, because the bags come out as a bonus!

Click this link for the full printable flyer!

Learn French with Bilingual Bear

2010-11-14T09:25:00.000-08:00

Barefoot's Bilingual Bear picture books are wonderful tools for teaching and reinforcing French. I love to include storytime in my French lessons as a unifying theme. The Bear books have vibrant illustrations and high-frequency themes, such as shapes, days, weather, house, shops, and pastimes. Bilingual word lists are included. You can order single Bear books at my Barefoot Books Marketplace, or contact me at Diane@PinkPoodleFrench.com to order all four at a special rate.

A Family Christmas: Putumayo CD

2010-11-07T14:48:00.001-08:00

I've been getting in the Christmas spirit a wee bit early this year. Looks like "Halloween is the new Thanksgiving" as far as starting up those holiday tunes. I love Putumayo's Family Christmas CD, available from Barefoot Books.

This is a really cool, family-friendly collection of Christmas songs that has something for everyone. Here's my personal favorite track: Here We Come A'Wassailing, by Kate Rusby. Enjoy!

Edited to add my kids' favorite track. They are singing it constantly! Zat You Santa Claus? by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Amazon.com Widgets

Barefoot Gives Back in November

2010-11-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Whenever you place an order in the month of November, Barefoot Books will donate one new book to a child in need through www.firstbook.org. Don't you just love this publishing company? This means that thousands of needy children will receive new books this holiday season.

And, if you include this event code in your shopping cart, 20% of your order will also support the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life: 000-0gv3-3252

One order can accomplish a lot:
1. Give beautiful, culturally diverse books and music to the children in your life.
2. Donate a book to a child in need.
3. Fight cancer.

And don't forget that any order over $60 receives FREE shipping.

If you'd like any personal recommendations for a child you know, email me at Diane@PinkPoodleFrench.com

Click here to start shopping.

Buy Books. Fight Cancer.

2010-10-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Support the Heart 'n Sole Relay for Life team! They are raising funds to benefit the American Cancer Society. 20% of every purchase will be donated to a fantastic cause. Just click the image, scroll down to the bottom of the page for the event button, and shop away. Barefoot Books are perfect for baby showers, birth/birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, and more. This fundraiser will be active through May 2011 to support the June 2011 Relay for Life of Leesville/Brier Creek/RTP in Raleigh, NC. No matter where you live, all are welcome to buy a book and fight cancer.

To insure that your purchase supports the American Cancer Society, please verify that this event code appears at the bottom of the shopping basket: 000-0gv3-3252

Ladies' Night Out in Chesterfield Township

2010-10-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hey, Ladies! I'm going to be selling Barefoot Books as a vendor at Great Oaks Elementary Ladies Night Out. This event looks like a TON of fun! Gather some friends and come on out. I'm selling tickets, so you can email me at Diane@pinkpoodlefrench.com to get yours. It's at Zuccaro Banquets and Catering, 46601 N. Gratiot, South of 21 Mile Rd., Chesterfield Township, MI on Friday, November 12, from 6pm to 10pm. Advanced tickets are $17 and include admission, hors d'oeuvres, dinner buffet, dessert buffet, and one free raffle ticket. Cash bar and music, too. Every vendor (over 40 in all) is donating a raffle prize worth $50 or more. I've heard the grand prize is worth hundreds! There will be drawings every 15 minutes while you enjoy a night of holiday shopping.

Click the image for more info and let me know if you'd like to come :-)

Hauntingly Healthy Halloween Recipes! Free Download

2010-10-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

Check out some spooky Halloween treats in this free download from Barefoot Books. The healthy recipes are all adaptations from the tried and true favorites in Kid's Kitchen: 40 Fun and Healthy Recipes to Make and Share (written by Fiona Bird and illustrated by Roberta Arenson.)

Barefoot Books to Read at Halloween

2010-10-19T19:23:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just around the corner! Capture the fun and spookiness of the season between the pages of a book.

Click here to view Barefoot Books' new Halloween e-card with illustrations from Tales of Mystery and Magic. This hardcover book and Storytime CD is filled with retold stories by Hugh Lupton, and striking illustrations by Agnese Baruzzi. Ages 6 and up.

Your 5-11 yr. old goblins might also enjoy The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts, and Goblins. John Matthews retells nine stories from cultures around the world. Illustrations are by Giovanni Manna and Jerry Nelson narrates the Storytime CD.

Tales of Wisdom and Wonder is a collection of mysterious and magical stories from around the world. These tales are retold and narrated on the CD by Hugh Lupton, and the illustrations are by Niamh Sharkey. Ages 5 to 11.

And let's not forget about those little monsters! The Barefoot Book of Monsters includes six multi-cultural folk tales retold by Fran Parnell and illustrated by Sophie Fatus. Not too scary for ages 3-7.

Curl up with a your imagination this October. Some of these titles are now on sale, and shipping is free for orders over $60 through Dec. 24.

Holiday Craft and Vendor Fairs

2010-10-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

Come shop for Barefoot Books for holiday gift giving! I'll be at these fundraising events this season:

Friday, November 12, 2010: Ladies Night Out to benefit Great Oaks Elementary
6-10 pm at Zuccaro Banquets and Catering Hall, 46601 N. Gratiot, S. of 21 Mile Rd., Chesterfield Twp.
This is a ticketed event with hors d'oeuvres, a full buffet, and dessert. Lots of raffles all night long! Should be a really fun night. Contact me at Diane@pinkpoodlefrench.com if you'd like to attend.

Thursday, November 18, 2010: Ladies Night Out Expo to benefit Clarkston Elementary
6-9 pm, Clarkston Elementary 6589 Waldon Rd., Clarkston, 48346

Saturday, November 20, 2010: Oakland Steiner School Holiday Bazaar
10 am - 4 pm at the school, located at the corner of Livernois and South Blvd in Rochester Hills

Friday, December 3, 2010: A Taste of Our Town Women's Night to benefit Eisenhower Instrumental Boosters
6 - 9 pm at Eisenhower High School, 6500 25 Mile Rd., Shelby Twp (between Mound & Van Dyke)

Saturday, December 4, 2010: Craft and Vendor Show to benefit Wing Lake Developmental Center
10 am - 4 pm at the school, located at 6490 Wing Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills