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

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Barefoot Storyteller at The Inside Out Playground

December 26th: The Barefoot Storyteller celebrates the Grand Opening of the new Inside Out Playground, 5 Appleton Street Waterville! Storytime at 11am.

January 3rd & January 17th, 2008: The Barefoot Storyteller storytime 11am at the new Inside Out Playground, 5 Appleton Street Waterville! The first and third Thursday of every month at 11am will be storytime with the Barefoot Storyteller at The Inside Out Playground.

Coming Soon: Bi-monthly homeschooler book clubs at The Inside Out Playground.

www.Barefoot-Storyteller.com

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

"Motherbridge of Love" on TIME's top ten list!

TIME’s 50 Top 10 Lists of 2007
Top 10 Children's Books
By Belinda Luscombe and Amy Lennard Goehner
#3. Motherbridge of Love
by Xinran and Josee Mass
Publisher: Barefoot Books
32 pages
$16.99

“Got a girlfriend who just adopted a kid? You're going to want to get them this book, although the illustration is so gorgeous, you could give it to anyone. The text was submitted anonymously to the charity Mother Bridge of Love, which seeks to connect kids adopted from China with their homeland. As might be expected the sappiness meter is turned to 11, but it does explain quite lyrically how two mothers can each have a part in making one whole child.”

Available for purchase at: http://www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com
and available to be read by The Barefoot Storyteller: http://www.barefoot-storyteller.com/

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Winter Reading from Barefoot Books

Here in Maine the temperature was *below* zero degrees F...making this a perfect day for staying inside and reading!!

All the wintery ones, like Miracle of the First Poinsettia, Babushka, the Twelve Days of Christmas, the Winter King and the Summer Queen, the Princess and the White Bear King, stories from the Calender of Festivals, and the Barefoot Books Stories from the Opera, and the new Fireside Stories. The Gingerbread Man was a wonderful story to read before making our gingerbread cookies this year, and for evenings by candlelight, The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems is always good reading! (other poetry collections I recommend are First Morning, and Someone I Like)

What's everyone else reading? :)


Peace,
Dawnella

nurturing mother, child & planet
http://www.MothersMoon.com
nurturing your child's imagination
http://www.Barefoot-Storyteller.com/
http://www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com
All orders of $70 or more between now and December 15th will receive free shipping and a free copy of "My Daddy is a Pretzel" . December 15th - 19th, free 48-hour shipping upgrade (standard shipping rates still apply)

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

fund-raising event re-scheduled

Barefoot Books Fundraiser Standard Banner


The fund raising event that was to take place for the Spencer Family at the Buker Center in Augusta, on Monday December 3rd has been re-scheduled for next Monday, December 10th from 10am - 2pm at Sacred Heart Church on Summer St. in Hallowell. We will be having a used curriculum, homeschool business and more sale. Some of us will bringing toys to sell, books, curriculum and some of us will be sharing our businesses with you. Anyone wishing to donate to the Spencer's are welcome to deposit into a bucket and we will take it from there. Some folks will be donating a portion of their profits to the Spencers.

http://www.barefoot-storyteller.com/


Directions are as follows...
From the Augusta end of Hallowell, pass down Rte. 201 through the downtown area, and take Temple St. on the right, which is just before the fish & produce market on the right. When you get to the end of that street ( it is very short), take a left onto Second St.. Almost immediately, take a right onto Chestnut St. Go over the railroad tracks and turn left onto Summer St. The church is the large white building on the right.
From the Gardiner end of Hallowell, as you pass up Rte 201, the first entrance to the boat landing will be on your right, you will see the produce place on the left, take a left onto Temple St. When you get to the end of that street ( it is very short), take a left onto Second St.. Almost immediately, take a right onto Chestnut St. Go over the railroad tracks and turn left onto Summer St. The church is the large white building on the right.

I'll be there, with stories to read to the children, and will also be taking orders for and selling from stock Barefoot Books, with 15% of the sales going to the Spencer Family. (if you can not make it but would still like to place a Barefoot Books order, please contact me and I will give the same 15% donation) Hope to see you there!

Peace, Dawnella

nurturing mother, child & planet http://www.MothersMoon.com
nurturing your child's imagination http://www.Barefoot-Storyteller.com

All orders of $60 or more between now and December 15th will receive a free copy of "The Prince's Bedtime" .

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Power of Art

They say that "looking leads to learning", and that is one reason why everyone at Barefoot Books believes that introducing high-quality images to children at an early age, as well as encouraging children to express themselves visually, plays a critical part in their emotional and intellectual development. The Barefoot Storyteller couldn't agree more!

Please see the "Power of Art" page upon my Barefoot Storyteller site.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Event reminder:

Barefoot Books Fundraiser Standard Banner


November 29th: Storytime & Fundraiser Event 11am at The Blessed Baby Boutique, 346 Main Street Wilton. On this day I will also be taking Barefoot Books orders as a fundraiser for the Western Maine Mothers Center. All orders placed that day or before at Blessed Baby Boutique will apply to the fundraiser, and the books should be available for pick-up at Blessed Baby on December 8th. The last Thursday of every month at 11am is storytime with the Barefoot Storyteller at The Blessed Baby Boutique.

http://www.barefoot-storyteller.com/

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Fundraising Goal Met!!

A great big Thank You goes out to everyone who contributed to my Barefoot Books fundrasier for the FUTURE MSAD 3 Capital Campaign for the Mount View School Performing Arts Center. They had set out a five year plan to raise $500,000 and in just seventeen months raised over $624,000!!! Way to go!!! I deeply belive music, dance, theater and art in it's many forms, is essential to feeding our souls... both personally as well as that of the community, and that becomes a very beautiful way of nurturing our children & our planet. I am very pleased to have been a part of this project in my community, and thrilled that they have reached their goal.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Children's Book Club

I'm getting ready to start another couple book clubs... one for toddlers and their parents which will include three "Cleo the Cat" board books we'll share over three weeks...and another for the five to eight year old crowd, three classic fairy tales, "The Gingerbread Man", "Red Riding Hood", and "The Gigantic Turnip"...

Interested folks can contact me please!


TheBarefootStoryteller@freedompondmoonworks.com

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A Note About Barefoot Books

Anyone who has been to one of my storytimes or tellings that involve Barefoot Books knows *why* I love them so much, but folks often ask *how* I got involved with shilling for the company:

I was at a storytellers' exchange, what seems like many years ago, (when the US Barefoot Books office was in New York instead of Cambridge, MA where it is now) and someone was reciting stories from their collection. As I was already being called "The Barefoot Storyteller", it just seemed to make sense that I should familiarize myself with such fine tales. After gathering quite a collection of books for myself and also giving many copies away at my storytelling performances, I contacted the company about opening a retailers account. That's when I first heard about the Stallholders program...but at the time, I believe it was more than a one thousand dollar investment! Not within a Storytellers budget. Happily, the "sign up fee" did later drop quite a bit, and now of course I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about becoming a Stallholder yourself!

http://www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com

Monday, October 15, 2007

Whole World Celebration

Today is "Blog Action Day"! On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone's mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.
So in doing my part just a little, here is the link to the beautiful "Whole World" e-card... please share it! (click just once upon the link...double clicking brings you to the home site)

Peace,
Dawnella

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Autumn Schedule

I'm back in the schools, reading to the elementary children (along with my other regular toddler-esque storytimes, birthday parties and special events!) and it is wonderful!

Coming the end of this month and all through November... due to the tremendous success of the vegetarian cooking classes that have accompanied Herb the Vegetarian Dragon, The Barefoot Storyteller is adding a turnip soup class for The Giant Turnip, and a gingerbread cookie class for The Gingerbread Man to the list of fun things we'll be doing!

Please be sure, if you haven't already, to check out my Barefoot Storyteller web-site http://www.barefoot-storyteller.com/ and, of course, my Barefoot Books web-site http://www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com

Thanks!
Dawnella

Autumn Titles

Ah Autumn!!! Appleas for picking, falling leaves for catching and wood for gathering for cozy fires. It all has put me a little behind in posting lately....

These beautiful New Releases are now all available from Barefoot Books, which I will be using in some of my reading groups!!! Visit http://www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com

Listen, Listen: written by Phillis Gershator and illustrated by Alison Jay. This beautiful new book celebrates the sounds of the seasons.

One City, Two Brothers: written by Chris Smith and illustrated by Aurélia Fronty
Two bickering brothers stand before the wise King Solomon and he decides to share with them the story of two other brothers who lived long before their time. By retelling the story of how Jerusalem came to be, he offers guidance in hope that they will learn to appreciate one another and the value of sharing.

Fireside Stories: retold by Caitlín Matthews, and illustrated by Helen Cann.
Settle back while you listen to these wonderful wintry tales. Drawn from countries and cultures all around the world, these stories express the magnificent and unique aspects of the season. From a group of courageous Russian animals to a legend about a bag of warmth that can keep winter away forever, these cozy stories are sure to keep out the winter chill.

The Tear Thief: written by Carol Ann Duffy, and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli.
Each night, in the hours between supper and bedtime the Tear Thief carries her waterproof, silvery sack over her shoulder as she soundlessly steals the tears of every child who cries. But what does she do with all of those tears?

Motherbridge of Love: anonymously written, illustrated by Josée Masse.
This beautiful poem celebrates the bond between parent and child in a special way. Through the exchanges between a little Chinese girl and her adoptive parent, this title offers a poignant and inspiring message to adoptive parents and children all over the world.

Indian Tales: written by Shenaaz Nanji, and illustrated by Christopher Corr.
The stories you will find here come from all over the Indian subcontinent. Magical spirits in the mountains of the northeast, sneaky robbers and brave heroines in the heart of the Indus Valley; action and adventure in the far south, and much, much more!

Portside Pirates: written by Oscar Seaworthy, and illustrated by Debbie Harter.
Excerpt...
“When I was young I had some fun
The day I went to sea.
I jumped on board a pirate ship,
And the captain said to me:
Oh we go this way, that way,
Port side, starboard
Over the deep blue sea!”

Re-Releases/New Formats:
Some old friends are back, some hard-covers now in paper back or board book, and a wonderful collection of audio Cds added featuring wonderful storytellers!

Now in Paper-Back:

The Story of Divaali

We're Riding on a Caravan

We're Sailing to Galapagos PB & Spanish Edition

I Wish I were a Pilot


Now Board Books:

How Loud is a Lion

Elusive Moose


Now with Audio Cd:

Magic Train Ride

Journey Home from Grandpa's

The Prince's Bedtime

Magic Hoofbeats

The Adventures of Odysseus Double Story Cd

Stories of the Opera

The Princess & the White Bear King

and one of my favorites:
The Fabrics of FairyTale: retold and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Rachel Griffin. Tales of disguise and deception, romance and revenge, all involving special items of clothing, are interlaced with Rachel Griffin's magical textures and materials. Together, the words and illustrations create the warp and weft of fairy tale itself, forming a glittering tapestry of enchantment that will appeal to all ages. Includes Armenian, Chinese, Hawaiian, Indonesian, Jewish, Swahili and Swedish stories.

Monday, August 27, 2007

The Barefoot Storyteller

The Barefoot Storyteller offers story times and storytelling with puppets, movement, music & more!

In addition to regularly scheduled story times, The Barefoot Storyteller will visit your school, library, birthday party or most any other event!

Many story times include a take home activity, and most story times end with drawing time. Occasionally a more extensive craft or learning activity is incorporated, and extra time may be needed for these. (for some camp and school groups there may be classroom activity ideas I will simply leave with the instructor at their discretion to carry out)

Please visit my web-site: http://www.Barefoot-Storyteller.com