workshops : performances : creations : art & theater : workshops : performances : creations

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Enter the "Spooky Birds" Contest!

This is the latest environmental challenge from the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology’s Celebrate Urban Birds citizen-science project in
conjunction with the Encyclopedia of Life website. They call this
contest "A Murder of Crows and Other Spooky Bird Tales."
A large group of crows is called a "murder," but there’s nothing
really scary about it. Crows are very intelligent and family-oriented.

Sometimes birds do things that seem
pretty spooky and strange, so for this
challenge, they want you to take
photos, do a painting, write a story or
poem, even shoot a video showing
crows, starlings, an owl, or any bird
doing something puzzling or strange
to you. Then they can reveal what the
behaviors are really all about. Often a
perfectly natural, non-scary explanation!

There's a PDF flier about the challenge you can print for yourself or
pass along to others who might want to participate.

As always, they have some great prizes, including binoculars
from Eagle Optics and Alpen, birdfeeders from YourBirdOasis.com,
CDs, books, posters, and more. The first 50 entrants will receive
a poster by Pedro Fernandez showing various behaviors of crows,
jays, and other birds. They'll post selected images and videos on the
Celebrate Urban Birds website. The very best will be included in
species account on the website for the Encyclopedia of Life!

How do you enter?
Email your entry to urbanbirds@cornell.edu.
1. Write "AMOC_YourFirstNameLastName_state" in the
subject line. (Use the two-letter abbreviation for the state in which
the photo was taken.)
2. Include your name and mailing address in the body of the email.
3. Tell them why you submitted your entry to the challenge.
What's the story behind it?
4. If you are submitting a visual image, attach it as a .jpg.
5. One image per entry, please
7. If you agree to the terms, send in your entry before October 31st!

Visit the Celebrate Urban Birds website for more information.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Unpcoming RIF events

Make It Matter Day Read For The Record

The Barefoot Storyteller is proud to be part of two wonderful events coming this October.

RIF, in partnership with Readers Digest, presents October 3rd as Make It Matter Day, a national volunteer day of reading, writting and learning. Visit The Barefoot Storyteller for an upcoming schedule of my events related to the day.

On October 8th, readers around the world will attempt to break the world record for the largest shared reading experiance in history. Children and adults will read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Visit Read For the Record for more information, and visit The Barefoot Storyteller for an upcoming schedule of my events related to the day.

RIF turns 43!

On November 3rd, 2009 RIF turns 43! Come celebrate with The Barefoot Storyteller! Please visit The Barefoot Storyteller's main site and see the Reading and Book Exchanges page, under the "New Books for Free" heading to learn more about The Barefoot Storyteller's free books program.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Autumn Newsletter

Autumn 2009: Oh what fun we're going to have!

*For the younger set, I have been having tons of fun with Bear in a Square in French/English and Spanish/English as well! One of my favorite young children's Barefoot Books to read, from one of my favorite young children's picture book "series" was recently published in a bilingual French/English translation edition, as well as in Spanish/English, so look for them at The Inside Out Playground Storytimes this autumn.

*I'm excited to be using the new "Kids' Kitchen: 40 Fun and Healthy Recipes to Make and Share" in my kids cooking classes. The forty recipes in this colorful deck are based around the five main food groups, and offer a healthy and exciting way to learn about cooking.

*New Read to Feed titles are The Chicken and the Worm for Pre-K & kindergarten audiances, and Winter in Songming for 3rd & 4th grades.

*African Tales is new from Barefoot Books, with eight stories in this collection, each from a different African country, feature educational facts and information about the cultures from which they are chosen. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Books for Africa, an organization that collects, ships and distributes books to children across the African continent.

*Another recent Barefoot Books release, Lin Yi's Lantern is a wonderful story I enjoy sharing, along with a lantern making project. The Chinese Moon Festival will fall on October 3rd this year, so be sure to check my schedule around that time to see where I'll be reading it. Here's more about the book: Lin Yi faces a moral dilemma, and learns that doing the right thing for its own sake is the best course of action, and that luck may shine on those who act morally. Lin Yi is given money to buy items at the market for the Moon Festival. If he bargains well, he can purchase a red rabbit lantern for himself. But he must purchase everything on his mother's list first! This heart-warming story will resonate with both children and adults, as they learn about the wonderful Chinese Moon Festival and the rewards that come from putting others first. Set in China, this story offers an opportunity to learn about Chinese customs through the accessible story of a young boy who has his heart set on buying a lantern for the festival. This book includes informative notes about life in rural China and the Moon Festival.

*Like every other September, we will look forward to an incredible Roald Dahl Day, as well as the performances of Puppets for Peace.

*October will certainly be Where the Wild Things Are as we celebrate Maurice Sendak's wonderful book (and others he wrote and/or illustrated) the whole month long...including a field trip to see the movie on October 16th! Contact me for information on how you can be part of The Barefoot Storyteller's group.

*Late October/Early November: Field Trip to Boston Museum of Science to see Harry Potter Exhibit in the works! Contact me for information on how you can be part of The Barefoot Storyteller's group.

*November 10th - 14th: National Young Readers Week

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Wild Things Sale!


Where the Wild Things Are product sale!!! Limited quanties of each, email for availablity, shipping fees, and other ordering information!!

Where The Wild Things Are: Hardcover Book, 25th Anniversary Special Edition $12

Where The Wild Things Are First Puzzle: Little ones love Max and his WildThings friends from Maurice Sendak's best-loved book. Four color codedpieces per puzzle, each puxzzle approximately 6 x 8", packed in acolorful box with a handle. For ages 2+. Printed with nontoxic inks. $7

Where The Wild Things Are Block Puzzle: Turn the blocks to form sixdifferent scenes from Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are classicbook. Nine 2-inch cubes to use as building blocks or form puzzlepictures, sturdy box with sliding drawer. For ages 3+. Printed withnontoxic inks $10

Where The Wild Things Are Floor Puzzle: Puzzle greyboard contains 90%recycled paper. Packaging contains 70% recycled paper. Printed withnon-toxic, soy-based inks. $12

Where The Wild Things Are Cube Puzzle: 4-1/4" cube box, rope handle,measures 16 x 16 inches, for ages 3+. Puzzle greyboard made of 100%recycled paper. Packaging contains a minumum of 75% recycled paper.Printed with non-toxic inks. $8

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are


A favorite chilkdhood story comes to life on the big screen, October 16th 2009! In celebration, please join The Barefoot Storyteller for special readings of Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are", and related activities all throughout the month of October. Also, you may contact me for information about being part of the group I am planning take to see the movie!

TheBarefootStoryteller@Barefoot-Storyteller.com



Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Bear in a Square...in French/English

And Spanish/English as well! One of my favorite young children's Barefoot Books to read, from one of my favorite young children's picture book "series" is now available in a French/English translation edition, as well as in Spanish/English. It's Bear in a Square! Both books, along with other titles in the "Bear" family, in just English or just Spanish, can currently be purchased up my Barefoot Books Web-site.
Another book from the series Bear in Sunshine will also soon be released in both editions in the very near future.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

New Blog

I'm adding a new blog to my "blog family"...as we get ready to launch a new beautiful Barefoot Books web-site you'll find my Barefoot Books news at:



This is to go along with the launch of the new Barefoot Books Web-site, which I hope you will visit as well!



Friday, March 27, 2009

Earth Day Barefoot


Go Green with some of our earth friendly stories printed on earth-friendly paper with soy inks, Be Green with every copy of The Barefoot Book of Earth Stories sold in April Eco Libris will plant a tree, Save Green with the free shipping offer coming up April 28th through May 10th.

www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com

Monday, March 2, 2009

D.E.A.R.

National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority. D.E.A.R. stands for "Drop Everything and Read" and April 12th, the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary is the official event date. Ramona Quimby, the program’s official spokesperson, is responsible for spreading the word and the love of reading. The Barefoot Storyteller will be participating of course...stay tuned for updates!

Read Across America

Today we were buried in a snowstorm, schools were called off, libraries closed, so I did not get out to read as planned...but of course spent time reading with my own young son! Thursday I can be found at The Inside Out Playground at my usual  Barefoot Storyteller  storytime at 1pm  and will arrive with famous red and white stovepipe hat (and the rest of the costume) ready to read read read!!!  Hope to see you there!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Imagination

Just a short commentary...it's there, on the home page of my storytelling site... "Remember, in a story, absolutely anything is possible."

Why do so many children lack imagination these days? How can they create if they don't dream? Open thier minds to any possibility?

Albert Einstien told us, "imagination is more importaint than knowledge"

Friday, January 9, 2009

CPSIA


Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" : libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manufacturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather- in older books or even rare out-of-print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead. Punishment for selling a book after February 10th that does not comply is a fine up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.

Barefoot Books (the publishers books I sell) has been aware of the new laws coming in effect for a couple of months now. They are working with the manufacturers to get the certificates that are needed.


So what can you do to help save your local bookstore that sells children's books? ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070 http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, just enter your zip code http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

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For the complete story, read the following links: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory requirements. The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009 http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html