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!

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"

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

Barefoot Books and PBS Kids

Like many of you, I grew up enjoying the playful and educational programs on PBS KIDS®. Now Barefoot Books is working together with PBS to create the PBS Parents Collection, a special collection of our favorite books for young children. Barefoot Books and PBS share a commitment to inspire a love of learning and foster the exploration and appreciation of our amazing and diverse world. Happy reading!

Books for Africa

In this season of giving, Barefoot Books could not think of a better time to announce the partnership with Books For Africa, a truly inspiring organization whose mission is to bring the enduring gift of literacy, education and hope to underprivileged children and their communities in Africa.

Books For Africa is the largest shipper of donated books to the African continent. Since 1988, they have sent over 20 million books to 44 African countries and into the hands of rural schoolchildren. Many of these children are taught in primitive schoolrooms without running water, electricity or the basic materials and tools needed to learn. By collecting, sorting and shipping books to these communities, Books For Africa provides these children with the fundamental tools they need to learn, grow and improve their individual lives and the world around them. To learn more, we encourage you to visit the Books For Africa web site and watch this inspiring video on their mission.

This Wednesday Barefoot Books launched a new Books for Africa page on our US website that will allow customers to donate a selection of African-themed books to Books For Africa by "purchasing" them at well below retail value. These donated books, available for either $5 or $3, will be set aside at our warehouse in Wisconsin and picked up in bulk by Books For Africa for shipment to the African continent.

For $5, customers can donate these hardcover titles: We All Went on Safari Mama Panya's Pancakes We're Sailing Down the Nile or Hidden Hippo

For $3, customers can donate these board book titles: How Loud is a Lion or Zoe and her Zebra

As Barefoot's gift to you, if you spend $50 or more on your entire order, you will recieve a free copy of We All Went on Safari.

First Book

Good News!!! First Book is strengthening its volunteer Advisory Board network and putting more books into the hands of children from low-income families throughout Maine. During the two years of the grant, First Book will establish at least 2 new Advisory Boards, register 50 new Recipient Groups, and distribute a minimum of 100,000 new books.

To donate to First Book, please visit http://www.firstbook.org/booksforkeeps/thebarefootstoryteller

Arts for Hunger

A local effort to help those less fortunate in our community through arts, crafts & music, the second annual Arts for Hunger, organized by the Unity Area Rotary Club to raise awareness and funding for local hunger relief efforts, is underway in the Art Gallery at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts in Unity. The Art Gallery is full of a wide variety of arts and crafts including paintings, pottery, photography, baskets, quilts, woodworking, stained glass, jewelry and much more ~ all donated by local artists and citizens.

In addition, Tree by Leaf will return again this year to perform a benefit concert as part of Arts for Hunger on Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and patrons are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the concert. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at http://www.unitymaine.org/

100% of the proceeds generated from the Art Sale and Benefit Concert will be donated to the Volunteer Regional Food Pantry (serves 11 towns in Waldo County), Open Door and People to People.

Thank you for supporting the hunger relief efforts in OUR community.

Free Hugs

Humanity's Team teammates around the world are invited to participate in the Global Free Hugs event on October 19th : A Celebration of Oneness.

Humanity's Team is excited to announce their recent collaboration with the Positive Focus organization that initiated the Global Free Hugs event. This is a momentous occasion for Humanity's Team because our involvement marks the first partnership with a like-minded organization for a global spiritual activism event.

Humanity's Team teammates' participation in the Global Free Hugs event provides two opportunities:

1. Global Spiritual Activism eventWe have found each other, we have gathered, we have organized, and now it is time to move as One. The Global Free Hugs event allows Humanity's Team teammates and others the opportunity to practice moving as One. Furthermore, participation in this simple spiritual activism event gives us the opportunity to practice aspects of the New Spirituality in the global community. In essence, we are uniting to illustrate our oneness by embracing "others" (our Self) with a hug. Think about it. Our first global movement as One is a nurturing hug to our Self (an embracing hug that expresses unconditional Love and our Oneness with each other).

2. Another way to obtain signatures for the Oneness Day PetitionPositive Focus is already promoting the Oneness Day Petition on their website and newsletters, and all participants of this event will be given the opportunity to sign the Oneness Day Petition. We are recommending two methods of signing the Oneness Day Petition at the Global Free Hugs event. Please ask all participants to sign the Oneness Day Petition. Either of these methods will accomplish this task:
Sign the Oneness Day Petition Document: Click here to see a printable version of the Oneness Day Petition and sign up sheet "kit." You will need to print it off and take it to the event with you. Some people still do not like using computers and will prefer this method. Sign the Oneness Day Petition Online: If possible, have a teammate of the group bring a wireless laptop computer to the Global Free Hugs location. (Make sure you are able to make an internet connection at the chosen location.) Then ask all participants if they are willing to sign the Oneness Day Petition online. Click here to Sign the World Oneness Day Petition now

Please start planning now to organize this event in your area. You must visit the Positive Focus website to obtain sign up and participant information: http://www.positive-focus.com/

Watch the Global Free Hug Invitation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7y0Uj4coZw

Send us a picture or two of your favorite hugs to be included in the Global Free Hugs video that they will be creating and will post on YouTube. To send your best pictures or if you have any questions, please contact us at freehugsinfo@humanitysteam.org

Local Children's Book Author in Competition

Wendi Richards, of Fairfield, is a national finalist in the ABCs Children's Book Competition! Please see my Mothers Moon blog for more information.

Puppets for Peace Day : September 29th

International Puppets for Peace Day was initiated seven years ago after 9/11. The inspiration for it was the image of many hearts and hands around the world focusing on the good. You are invited to join the many others on six continents and celebrate Peace through Story and Puppetry. There can be puppet shows big and small, in public venues, in the quiet of your home, in classroom, school community, well practiced, or spontaneous. They all contribute to the powerful joy-bringing healing of the world. Sharing puppet stories that let goodness shine out, that bring to life cooperation between people, that warm our hearts and make us laugh with the wonder of life, can become story seeds that help us understand the world, and all that is unique and universal in it's people. It is held on Michaelmas Day, September 29th, a day to remind us we can be courageous in the face of chaos, and the "dragons" of the world. (with all due respect to my friend Herb...they're talking about the un-friendly type)

And speaking of Herb, and puppets, please see my special offer below, or for more information, visit my other Storyteller blog!

Wishing you Peace and Happy Puppetry,
Dawnella - The Barefoot Storyteller

Autumn Newsletter

The Autumn Newsletter (first draft) is ready now on The Barefoot Storyteller web-site with a general idea of what books I'll be reading and stories I'll be performing, plus the news that turnip soup will be returning, and there's a peach of a field trip planned, plus we'll be embarking on a new yoga adventure. Of course I still need to add information about the new releases becoming available at Barefoot Books ... so in the meantime you should visit my Barefoot Books web-site and check them out! But while you are at The Barefoot Storyteller web-site you really must take a look at the the blog there to see the picture of the Storytellers Throne.

Peace,

Dawnella

Pre-order Special Offer

One of my favorite Barefoot Books is being re-released this autumn in hard cover edition, Herb the Vegetarian Dragon. If you personally pre-order your copy through me for pick-up at one of my regular storytelling locations (The Inside Out Playground, Back Door to the Moon, or Blessed Baby Boutique) before September 30th, I will include a silk dragon stick puppet! TheBarefootStoryteller@Barefoot-Storyteller.com

Go Greener, for less

Barefoot Books on-line offer: Order by December 31st and receieve 10% off* your purchase of Yoga Planet Cards - 50 Fun Activities for a Greener World. (a great companion to the Yoga Pretzel Cards!) *Use code SCYPP

These cards 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. Sure to make their way into the Barefoot Storyteller's yoga classes this autumn! For more information on the classes, please see http://barefootstoryteller.webs.com/yogaclasses.htm

A Barefoot Books Special Offer

In celebration of Earth Day, all on-line orders placed between now April 30th and receive a free Whole World Mini Edition ( a $9.99 value) as featured on Oprah's O List! No coupon code, no minimum purchase :)

May I suggest our book of environmental poems, The Sun in Me, or check out one of our beautiful poetry collections during National Poetry Month!

http://www.barefootbooksstoryteller.com/

Peace, Dawnella

National Library Week

April 13th through 19th is National Library Week! Visit a library with your child! To find a local library here in Maine, see http://www.mainelibraries.com

Peace, Dawnella

Story Telling - Passing on Great Stories

The Barefoot Storyteller was given kudos upon the "Life's Journey in Words" blog. The following review can be found on the Showcase page:

http://www.freewebs.com/channeledthoughts/showcase.htm

"I am so inspired by people who want to "pay it forward", I am inspired by people who come up with great concepts and ideas. I absolutely love when the passing of ideas involves changing children's lives in the long-run. The Barefoot Storyteller does just this. Based out of her home, this 39 year old mom has deversified herself by homeschooling children and yoga classes in the home, maintaining a blog or two, and workshops, classes, parties, and even book exchanges! Her concepts and ideas create an atmosphere of emotional and intellectual development. Reading stories infused with art, movement and music. She travels around instilling the love of stories to children, passing on the passion for stories and book reading. Going beyond storytelling, children use self expression by doing art projects, and movement is art in yoga. Older children from ages 12-16 years old can attend the five day workshop, upon completion of this five day workshop they will build up their skills so that those kids can go back out into the community and bring literacy to other children. I hope that you will visit her web-site, and be as inspired as I was and perhaps you can contact her, and start your own storytelling network too! Now that's paying it forward!"

Thanks! I'm doing what I love!

The Barefoot Storyteller at the Belfast (Maine) Library

Well the drawing board (literally) was in chaos for the past week as my Chief Story Advisor (my six year old son) and I worked through negotiations as to which story to choose for The Barefoot Storyteller's debut at the Belfast Library.

"Jack and the Beanstalk" is too over-done.

"The Boy Who Grew Flowers" seems more for an elementary school audience.

"What's This?: The Story of a Seed" would have thought to have been an obvious choice, given the age level and subject matter, but the Chief Story Advisor felt it did not make enough of an impact as an introductory performance.

The final choice fell between "The Gigantic Turnip" and "Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon", both favorites, both with their merits....and let me tell you, an enormous vegetable and a pacifist dragon arguing their cases against each other is not something for the light-hearted!

In the end, an executive decision was made for the more easily performed over the better read aloud, in spite of the really neat activities that always follow the latter.

The Chief Story Advisor is prepared to launch a formal complaint, but I am sending the matter through mediation and stated that if I am invited back to the Belfast Library simply to read, that a particular dragon will undoubtedly accompany me.

So without further adieu, The Barefoot Storyteller proudly announces a scheduled telling of "The Gigantic Turnip" at the Belfast Library, 11am May 16th, 2008 for children ages three through five, and the adults who love them.

Please join us!

Jungle Day

The Barefoot Storyteller presents Jungle Day at the Inside Out Playground April 24th! Jungle-themed story times at 11am and 2pm will be followed by animal crafts and jungle games. Children are encouraged to wear a jungle animal costume for a chance to win a free book from Barefoot Books. All week long I'll have Barefoot Books, puzzles, puppets and more available for sale at the Inside Out Playground, with the Playground earning 15% of every purchase! The Inside Out Playground is located at 5 Appleton Street, Waterville Maine

Pssst...April 24th is also The Barefoot Storyteller's Birthday (40 years!) so there may be cake too! :)