Books for Africa

Barefoot Books is delighted to partner with non-profit Books For Africa, dedicated to bringing books to needy children in schools across Africa. The books we have selected to send all have African themes, and will make a huge difference in the lives of children across the African continent.

For a few dollars, you can put a Barefoot Book in the hands of an African child. We hope you will be a part of this wonderful partnership.

About the Organization
The mission of Books For Africa is to end the book famine in Africa. Since 1988, Books For Africa has shipped more than 20 million books to 42 African countries and put books int0 the hands of those who need them the most: children who are hungry to read, hungry to learn, hungry to explore the world in ways that only books make possible.

Watch the Books For Africa Video!

Look for more ways to help at local market events....
Like Free Copies of We All Went on Safari with $50 purchase
and New Book Marks you can buy to make a donation!

Zig Zag Zebra and FREE Shipping

When the UPS truck rumbles up to our house my kids go bonkers! Mostly because 9 times out of ten that means a new box (or 6) of Barefoot Books! This fall Barefoot unveiled a collection of activity books. For the active children in our family these where eagerly awaited. They did not disappoint!

Every child who is free to play at drawing is preparing to learn how to read and write at the same time. Dotty Spotty Doodles and Zig Zag Zebra each contain 22 activities for kids: mazes, coloring pages, seek-and-finds and more! Perfect for my 6 year old!

The Whole World and Pirates Fun Activities are chuck full of games, mazes and puzzles designed to keep the slightly older child challenged and entertained. A real boredom buster for my almost 8 year old!

Needless to say we have ordered several extras and given them as Birthday (and will give them as holiday gifts) with our favorite Barefoot Books!

Now I really want to share these books with you...so lets make it a little easier and help you save some money this season! All online orders placed between now and November 25th receive FREE shipping PLUS a FREE copy of Zig Zag Zebra with all orders over $50!

One Man Band for Kids

Last night at the Village Marketplace I met a wonderful, funny and friendly performer named Peter McCory. Peter is a one man band! So cool, entertaining and family friendly.

He played a mix of folk, classic rock and the occasional kids favorite (but not so much that it was annoying). He even took requests!

When children approached he had shakers, bells and tambourines for them to play along. And of course they had a blast dancing and singing along!

Check out his website and if you can catch one of his shows!

A Book Lover in the Making

At the Village Market tonight I meet a great 10 year old. He was helping his mom, another vendor, set up but then had very little to do during the market.
While he was browsing my display I suggested several titles, Little Leap Forward, Barefoot Book of Pirates. He was drawn to The Boy Who Grew Flowers and settled in on my rug to read it. Mom commented that his teacher wanted him to read at a higher level and he was always choosing picture books below his reading level. I pointed out that just because these books had pictures didn't mean they were below his level. Next he picked up the Barefoot Book of Monsters, and didn't put it down.
The next thing I knew he was counting his money in his wallet to buy it! He read all evening, camped out on the rug!
Mom was ecstatic! She had never seen him read like that!
Next they want to buy some books for his little sister and their teachers!

To Market, To Market to buy a Great Book!

I'm off for my first day at a new vendor venue in Fairfax, VA. If you are in the area, looking for dinner, music, fun and a good book come on by!


Or if you would rather curl up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate (Yummmmm!) Stop by the Barefoot Books Website where you can order 3 books and get the 4th one FREE!

Watch out! I'm Baking!

My friend and fellow stallholder Michelle over at Lionden Landing has motivated me to get in gear with the holiday baking! Making dough really and freezing. Maybe freezing a couple of quick breads!

I have taken out my favorite Cookie Cook Books

• Rosie's Chocolate-Packed, Jam-Filled, Butter-Rich, no-holds-barred Cookie Book by Judy Rosenberg
• Rose's Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum
• Past Cookie Issues from Gourmet Magazine

I'll also keep my eyes open in the Washington Post for their special cookie edition of the Food section!

A Barefoot Life is a Whole Life

As we at Barefoot Books reflect on what it means to Live Barefoot, we invite you to do the same.

What is it about Barefoot Books that fits so well into your life?

To help we invite you to take advantage of an awesome offer! Order any 3 books from the website and get your fourth for FREE!

Great Place to Shop

This time of year I get very discouraged walking through the Malls and Big Box Stores! I just keep seeing the same old stuff. Call me quirky but I love to look for the unusual gift, the gift that will let my loved ones know I was really thinking about them when I purchased it.

Add to that the fact that in this economy I'm not exactly excited to hand money money over to the big corporations! I would rather support small business owners, crafts people, artisans...you know the little guys like me!

Hoooray for a perfect place to get that all done right here in my backyard! Downtown Fairfax now has open a wonderful Village Market Place filled with local people showing their wares! Check out their website and come on down on Friday and Saturday evenings. Lots of nice restaurants in the area as well, so make a night of it!

I'll be there with Barefoot Books several times through out the season. See ya there!

November is National Adoption Month!

Many thanks to Nancy McCullough for opening my eyes to National Adoption Month!

Order the fantastic book Motherbridge of Love from Barefoot books using the button below and receive 20% off your entire order!

And in the meantime....enjoy Amy Tan reading from Motherbridge of Love!

Starting with a Bang!

This week only Barefoot Books is offering a FREE Yoga Planet Activity Deck with every purchase over $50!

Yoga Planet is a wonderful companion for My Daddy is a Pretzel and Yoga Pretzels

From the Barefoot Books Website

"Yoga Planet is a great way to get kids (and adults) moving, laughing and most importantly thinking about the world around them" —Tobey and Jennifer Maguire

Whether you are seven or fifty-seven, whether you already practice yoga or want to learn, these informative and attractive cards are the ideal answer. They give detailed step-by-step instructions on how to perform the poses, but also increase environmental awareness with tips on how to reduce our impact on the fragile planet.

Founded by Tara Guber and directed by Leah Kalish, Yoga Ed. develops health and wellness courses and materials that educate children, teachers and parents about the benefits of yoga! Our friends Tara and Leah co-wrote our Yoga Planet Deck, an exciting, educational addition to our Yoga Pretzels collection! Please visit the Yoga Ed. website to find out more about how to bring Yoga Ed. to your school or community!

Welcome

Welcome to Barefoot JJ! I am JJ and will be your host for this story, journey and adventure! I am a Mother, educator, storyteller, artist and Stallholder!

I hope to explore each of these titles with you and share the beauty of books and story!

So Kick off your shoes and join the journey!