Barefoot In Dunfermline

New Catalogue from Barefoot Books

2011-05-05T17:03:00.010+01:00

Well... a new catalogue is on its way - with some great looking additions.

I especially like the look of the new chapter books - idea for those new readers! An individual Monster Story in each book - what a great idea!

See the new catalogue here

December Newsletter

2010-12-02T14:00:00.002Z

Stuck in the house and looking for things to keep the children amused? Have a look at the
Barefoot Books website where you'll find some great Children's Crafts and Activities to keep them
entertained. There are animated videos, and also Podcasts which can be found by clicking on this link.

This Month's Review:

The Gift - A book to re-energise your life
By Bel Mooney (published in the Daily Mail Sunday 13th November)

Have you ever wondered if fate is waiting to send a message? It happened to me in 2004, at a
painful time of transition, when I walked into John Lewis and saw a household display
beneath a banner saying, NEW START.
I turned around, to see another proclaiming, RENEW. Yet another said, REFRESH. It was so
cheering.
It just happened again. In London the other day I went into the Air Gallery in Dover Street,
London, where there’s an exhibition of paper-cuts and screenprints by a quiet genius of an
artist called Rob Ryan (to see his work visit misterrob.co.uk).
I was feeling somewhat tired, but there on the wall in front of me was an amazing red papercut
(they have to be seen to be believed; the show is on for another week so if you’re near, do
go along) which spoke to me.
It shows a large bird and a young man surrounded by ornate foliage. And the bird is saying to
the boy, ‘Your job is to take this world apart and then put it back together again but even
better.’
Yes! said a voice in my head. Then my husband whispered, ‘That’s why you write your
column’ — and instantly the vague sense of purposeless I’ve felt since my brother’s death
disappeared. ‘Onwards!’ I thought.
I can suggest another way of sharing Rob Ryan’s vision.
He’s collaborated with the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy on a beautiful book which should
be on everybody’s Christmas list.
Called The Gift (Barefoot Books, £10.99) it’s a picture book with a universal message for
people of all ages.
It tells the story of a young girl who, on a picnic with her parents, has a strange vision which
colours her whole life.
Illustrated with Ryan’s intricate paper-cuts, The Gift is about the life journey all of us have to
make, from our youthful dreaming through maturity, creativity, family life, old age and death.
This is a joyful book which makes sense of change

Remember - FREE POSTAGE AND PACKING ON ORDERS OVER £40 until 24th December.

COMPETITION

2010-10-22T18:36:00.003+01:00

WIN A FABULOUS PRIZE - JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!

Instead of the usual quarterly prize draw, this time I have decided to give away a fantastic GIFT SET to one lucky person - to be awarded at the end of November.

How do you enter? Just purchase something from www.barefootbooksfife.com before 30th November - (FREE POSTAGE AND PACKING ON ORDERS OVER £40 UNTIL 24TH DECEMBER).

What can you win? A gift set of your choice up to the value of £28. Have a look at the website and see what's available.

Here's an example:

Barefoot Books Summer Sale!

2010-07-24T17:08:00.006+01:00

Sale ends 31st July and includes some great savings such as this puppet:

Normally £32.99, but only £22.99 in the sale.

Barefoot Books at the Parents Like Us

2010-05-03T10:31:00.002+01:00

I am very excited in being invited to the Parents Like Us Festival next week and will be there on Saturday and Sunday (8th and 9th). Plu is the UK's largest festival for parents with children aged 0-5 years and is organised by ordinary parents, all of whom give their time voluntarily. Admission to the arena (and most activities) is FREE, so there's no excuse for not popping along with offspring on tow. Grab a coffee in our covered seating area whilst you browse the free programme and consider how many of the dozens of activities on offer you might squeeze in to your day. CLICK HERE: 'THE FESTIVAL' to find out more.

It's Good 2 Give Fundraiser

2010-04-11T08:41:00.002+01:00

I have just found out about a fundraising organisation, run by Lynne McNicoll - "It's Good 2 Give!".

It was set up to raise funds to:

* Support young people with cancer and their families in Scotland

* Support the provision of accommodation for care and respite tailored specifically to your people and their family

* Encourage people of all ages to give – time, skills, ideas, money, blood.

You can read all about their great work at: www.itsgood2give.co.uk

I have set up a fundraiser on my website to hopefully raise money for this cause. If you wish to buy books AND donate at the same time, then click on the logo below. Then, 20% of your purchase value will be donated to It's Good 2 Give!

Become a Barefoot Ambassador

2010-03-18T09:57:00.003Z

If you're ever thought about selling these beautiful books now is the time to do so! It costs nothing at all to join, BUT if you wish you can buy the starter pack for only £59.99 (normally £99.99). When you take into account the commission you will be due on this purchase you will actually only be spending under £48 on a great starter pack.

Click here to join my team, drop me an email or leave me a comment here.

New Fundraiser for Hope 4 China Children

2010-02-04T16:38:00.003Z

I have just recently found out about a fantastic charity, run by a fantastic lady, which is dedicated to raising awareness of and raising funds for children in orphanages and girls from poor homes in rural areas with little hope of a formal education.

I have set up an Event Code for the fundraising - anything purchased using this code will trigger 20% cash back to the charity.

Just click on the icon above to donate.

Barefoot Books Winter Sale

2010-01-03T18:07:00.003Z

Barefoot Books Fife sale continues until 31st January. There are some fantastic reductions.

Check them out at www.barefootbooksfife.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Abbey Fair Trade

2009-12-21T20:20:00.006Z

I've had an enjoyable time this year promoting both my Barefoot Books AND my fair trade business - Abbey Fair Trade. I've had a couple of Fair Trade parties and was also lucky enough to display the Fair Trade products at a number of local fairs.
The Felt Bags were very popular - lots of sales for little girls and I even withdrew a few from stock for my own family - some lucky nieces.

And the scarves were the other 'best sellers'. I love this scarf and gave myself a Christmas present of one of these.

December Special Offer

2009-12-08T17:35:00.000Z

Hi

This is a VERY SHORT newsletter - all my Christmas events are over and I'm now looking forward to the main Event!

I wanted to let you know about a Pre-Christmas Special Offer which runs from WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER until TUESDAY 15th DECEMBER:

FREE POSTAGE AND PACKING
AND
30% DISCOUNT

To find out more visit: www.barefootbooksfife.com

Also - remember the next prize draw to win £15 of free Barefoot Books and gifts will happen on 31st December. If you haven't yet entered, just reply to this email with the subject "Prize Draw".

If you no longer wish to receive my newsletter/special offers, simple reply to this email with the subject "Unsubscribe".

I would like to wish all my customers and those of you who have shown an interest in Barefoot Books a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

November Newsletter

2009-11-01T17:30:00.003Z

Special Offers

In this newsletter I'd like to let you know of the November Special Offers. Instead of the usual monthly special offers, Barefoot is releasing new special offers every week. From 3rd - 9th November the specials are Customer Favourites and include:

Animal Boogie (PB with CD) - £4.99 (normally £6.99)
The Prince's Bedtime (PB) - £3.99 (normally £5.99)

From 10th to 16th the specials are the Award Winners, including:

The Barefoot Book of Pirates (PB with CD) - £6.99 (normally £8.99)
We All Went on Safari (PB) - £4.99 (normally £5.99)

From 17th to 23rd the specials are 'Classic Collections', including:

The Barefoot Book of Princesses (PB with CD) - £6.99 (normally £8.99)
Storytime (PB with CD) - £6.99 (normally £8.99)

The final week's special offers are still to be confirmed. Keep an eye out at www.barefootbooksfife.com

Free Postage and Packing

I am very happy to be able to announce that in addition to the special offers above, the Free Postage and Packing offer has been extended to 23rd December, if the order comes to more than £20.

Events This Month

I have several events booked this month (it's a very busy month) - if you wish to browse and buy some books please check out www.barefootbooksfife.com where there is a full list of my events.

I have been asked, however, to advertise one specific event and that is the NCT Bumps and Baby Event which is being held on 21st November, from 1 pm - 3 pm at the Dell Farquharson Centre in Dunfermline. It's a good chance to meet NCT volunteers, to find out what they do and how you can become involved. There is also a chance to try out some fantastic activities available locally like Jo Jingles, Baby Sensory, Musical Steps and MamaYoga. You can find out about real nappies, home safety and baby massage. I will be there to deliver some storytelling sessions and there will even be mini-pampering sessions for parents. To find out more, or to book a session, email West&CentralFife@NCT.org.uk or phone 0844 243 6110.

Prize Draw

I will be running another Prize Draw at the end of December, so if you wish to be in with a chance of winning £15 worth of Barefoot Books or Gifts, all you need to do is reply to this email with the subject Prize Draw and I will enter you.

Party Plan Together Competiton

Remember I also have another competition on the go at www.partyplantogether.co.uk. You could win a great gift set worth over £50.

Helen Lacey Barefoot Books on Facebook

Quite often Barefoot Books announces special offers during the month. If you don't wish to miss out on any on these you may wish to become a 'Fan' of my Page on Facebook - Helen Lacey Barefoot Books. Here I will keep fans up to date with special offers, events, new products and special downloads available from the website.

Opportunities to Become a Barefoot Ambassador

If anyone is interested in doing what I do and becoming a Barefoot Ambassador, please do not hesitate to email me and ask for details. It's really easy - no stress, no pressure and lots of fun!

Free postage and packing until 31st October

2009-10-17T18:24:00.001+01:00

Barefoot Books Competition

2009-10-12T17:19:00.001+01:00

Hi

Just wanted to let you know of a competition that I have been lucky to host at www.partyplantogether.com.

If you would like a chance to win a fantastic prize (see photo below), go to this link:
http://www.partyplantogether.co.uk/?page_id=15

This is the prize you can win:

Good luck!

20% OFF UNTIL 12TH OCTOBER

2009-10-09T07:34:00.001+01:00

Receive 20% discount AND also receive free postage and packing if your order totals at least £20. Just key in OCTSALE at checkout.

October Newsletter

2009-10-04T16:19:00.003+01:00

New Releases

The most recent release from Barefoot Books celebrates Autumn and the Harvest Season.

Driving my Tractor has been reviewed on the Barefoot Books Website:

"This is a must-have early years picture book. It travels through the seasons with illustrations that show the farming year. It includes a section on farm machinery. You'll learn about the land and where food comes from. From one who grows her own food, sells avocados at our local farmer's market, and sells Barefoot Books, I highly recommend this one to you!" ~ review by LadyD

It's in Hardback and come with a Sing-along CD, song by Mark Collins (who also song the Port Side Pirates song). It combines farmyard animals with simple counting skills and is guaranteed to keep any early reader entertained.

Also in Hardback are Starlight Sailor and Winter Shadow.

Starlight Sailor tells the story of a young boy and his dog who set sail to distant lands in the enchanting dream landscape, where singing mermaids, majestic whales and flying dragons are brought to life. (suitable for ages 2-6).

Winter Shadow is only the second chapter book published by Barefoot Books and describes a young girl's friendship with a wolf cub. It explores the delicate balance between humans and nature, and between the individual and community. (suitable for ages 8 and upwards).

October Sale

We have several books in the sale this month. Click here to see them all.

Other Special Offers This Month

We're pleased to be able to offer FREE POSTAGE AND PACKING again this month from 9th October until 31st October (if you spend at least £20). ALSO, between 9th October and 12th October, if you make an order through www.barefootbooksfife.com you will also receive 20% discount as well as free postage and packing - a great excuse to start the Christmas shopping! I will send out a reminder during the month.

Events This Month

Friday 30th October - St Catherine's RC School, Edinburgh, Christmas Fayre.

I've got quite a few bookings for November, so if you are involved in a fundraising event and would like me to come along and help out, please let me know soon.

Parties

I am always looking for hostesses to host Barefoot Books parties - if you are interested please drop me a line - might be a good opportunity to get some friends together and do some Christmas shopping! I have also diversified, somewhat, and can now offer Fair Trade Parties, either alongside the Books or on their own - let me know if you're interested. You can see a sample of the bags I sell at www.abbeyfairtrade.co.uk, but I'm also planning on offering jewellery, cards and some Christmas gifts.

Prize Draw

The winner of the September Prize Draw was Audrey Cunningham from Markinch - congratulations! She will receive £15 worth of Barefoot Books and Gifts. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning the next prize draw (to be drawn at the end of December) please email me with the subject heading "Prize Draw".

Opportunities to Become a Barefoot Ambassador

If anyone is interested in doing what I do and becoming a Barefoot Ambassador, please do not hesitate to email me and ask for details. It's really easy - no stress, no pressure and lots of fun!

Barefoot's Second Young Fiction Title

2009-09-25T18:29:00.007+01:00

Barefoot Books has just released its second Barefoot Young Fiction title - Winter's Shadow, available in hardback.

Written by Richard Knight and illustrated by Richard Johnson, this moving story describes a young girl's friendship with a wolf cub. It explores the delicate balance between humans and nature, and between the individual and community.

Available at www.barefootbooksfife.com at £9.99.

September Newsletter

2009-09-03T13:32:00.006+01:00

New Releases

To mark the celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival, Barefoot Books has published a new book: Lin Yi's Lantern - a Moon Festival Tale. It's a lovely story which shows the rewards of putting others first. It also includes educational notes at the back of the book about the Chinese Moon Festival, life in rural China and the legend of the moon fairy.

If you are interested in Chinese Culture you may also be interested in The Great Race, or Stories from the Silk Road, both of which are on special offer this month.

September Sale

We have several books in the sale this month. Click here to see them all.

My favourite, however, is Herb the Vegetarian Dragon which is normally £5.99, but has been reduced, for this month only, to £3.99. Here's a review of it written by my niece, Holly:

Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon is a fascinating story, it is set in a far away land where dragons bring destruction and death to the people who live in Castle Dark. However, one dragon is different. Herb prefers to tend his vegetable patch than raid the helpless Castle Dark, for Herb is a vegetarian. He is a lovable character who is prepared to stand up for what he believes in eve n when death faces him... This is an exciting tale, it shows children how to live in harmony and peace with each other and I would recommend it to all readers , young and old.

Events This Month

Saturday 12th November - Leuchars Air Show
Saturday 26th November - NCT Nearly New Sale, Vine Church, Garvock Hill, Dunfermline

Parties

I am always looking for hostesses to host Barefoot Books parties - if you are interested please drop me a line - might be a good opportunity to get some friends together and do some Christmas shopping! I have also diversified, somewhat, and can now offer Fair Trade Parties, either alongside the Books or on their own - let me know if you're interested. You can see a sample of the bags I sell at www.abbeyfairtrade.co.uk, but I'm also planning on offering jewellery, cards and some Christmas gifts.

Prize Draw

The next Prize Draw will be held at the end of September and I only have a handful of names at the moment. If you wish to be entered, please reply to this email with the subject heading 'Prize Draw', You can win £15 of Barefoot Books and Gifts.

Discount Code

A reminder that the 20% DISCOUNT code is still valid and will be valid until the end of the year - although it can only be used once and in order to receive it you have to order through the website. If you type in SCSHTW as the Special Offer Code on Checkout you will receive 20% DISCOUNT. Please let me know if you have any difficulty using it (new website!!!).

August News

2009-08-01T19:02:00.006+01:00

New Titles

Kids Kitchen - This is a card deck which gives 40 easy to follow recipe cards that you can follow with your children, colour coded into 5 food groups - Eggs 'n' Beans, Fantastic Fruits, Milk 'n' Dairy, Spuds 'n' Grains and Vital Vegetables.
£14.99

We also have a couple of hardbacks which have sold well in the past and are now available in paperback:

The Real Princess (Paperback with CD) - £6.99 - This is a version of the Princess and the Pea story, with a chance for the reader to practise their maths along the way - I have given it as a present to one of my 7 year old son's schoolfriends and she loved it.

Emily's Tiger (Paperback) - £5.99 - this is about a little girl whose temper turns into a little tiger - need I say more? A good present for any little girl (not just Emily's).

August Sale

There are a number of titles on sale this month. Here's a sample:

Mama Panya's Pancakes in paperback has been reduced from £5.99 to £3.99
The Gigantic Turnip in paperback with CD has been reduced from £6.99 to £4.99
Counting Cockatoos in boardback has been reduced from £5.99 to £3.99
One City Two Brothers in hardback has been reduced from £10.99 to £8.99

New Website : Fair Trade Bags

2009-08-01T18:55:00.004+01:00

AT LAST - I have a website (of sorts) up and running for my Fair Trade Bags. It's really not a very professional looking website, but it will probably do the job. At present I'm not keen on forking out lots of money for a company to design a slick looking site. - it's really just so I have a 'web presence' at the moment.

July Newsletter

2009-07-05T09:09:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone

Hope you are all well and looking forward to a balmy, sunny summer (we hope!).

I've a few things to let you know about but the main thing is WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE!!! You can still access it from the same address: www.barefootbooksfife.com, but I hope you will agree that it's a great improvement. Please have a look around it, and feel free to let me know what you think about it.

Summer Sale
This month the following items are reduced:

Dragon on the Doorstep PB with CD - £4.99 (was £6.99)
We All Go Travelling By PB with CD - £3.99 (was £6.99)
An Island in the Sun PB - £2.99 (was £5.99)
Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush PB with CD - £5.99 (was £6.99)
Knick Knack Paddy Wack HB with CD - £8.99 (was £10.99)
Magic Train Ride PB with CD - £3.99 (was £6.99)
Port Side Pirates PB with CD - £4.99 (was £6.99)
Secret Seahorse PB - £4.99 (was £5.99)
Ship Shapes BB - £4.99 (was £3.99)
Barefoot Book of Pirates HB with CD - £7.99 (was £12.99)
The Journey Home From Grandpas PB - £3.99 (was £5.99)
3 Billy Goats Gruff PB - £3.99 (was £5.99)
We're Sailing To Galapagos PB - £3.99 (was £5.99)
We're Sailing Down The Nile HB - £8.99 (was £10.99)

Just click on SALE in the shop.

Events
My next event is The Big Tent Festival in Falkland, Fife. Click Here to find out more about it. I'm sure it will be a good day (or a weekend) out.

Prize Draw
The winner of the June Prize Draw was Lindsay Law who I met at the Parents Like Us Festival in Leith. She has won £15 worth of Barefoot Books. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning the next prize draw (end of September) please email me back with the Subject Heading "Prize Draw" and I will enter you.

Well that's it for now. Please let me know if I can be of any help with any fundraising you are planning, or if you would like to host a book party at your house or some other venue.

LAUNCH OF NEW BAREFOOT BOOKS WEBSITE

2009-07-01T19:11:00.002+01:00

The day has finally arrived - we have the new-look Barefoot Books website. http://www.barefootbooksfife.com. I think it's great!

Refugee Day at Auchmuty High School

2009-06-19T17:40:00.002+01:00

Well, today was my first attempt at running a session for Amnesty International - at Auchmuty High School for Refugee Week. And I enjoyed it! I had a colleague (a 'proper' speaker from Amnesty) there to help me. We showed a DVD about the refugee crisis in Darfur (refugees in their own country!) and then they pupils had a chance to play a game called "The Great Escape". In this game they had to pretend they were refugees trying to run for the border and safety. They had decisions to make along the way which impacted on their flight - some would cause them to leave refugees behind, some caused them to take longer than they wanted.

The kids were really up for it (most of them) and I hope that they got something from it. Many were disappointed when I told them that their decision to ignore the possibility of a mine field caused the death of the whole party!!

A great experience for me, and I hope a good experience for the pupils.

REFUGEE WEEK

2009-06-13T21:22:00.003+01:00

"Refugee Week is important because it reminds us that refugees are not just statistics to be used and abused, they are living, breathing people. I am British, I was born here and I have no intention of leaving here, so I want to create a society here where compassion is built into our culture, in this society we will be so aware of the world around us that we will not need a Refugee Week. Until then this is how we do it."
Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and promotes understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary. It is a chance to deliver positive educational messages that counter fear, ignorance and the negative stereotyping of refugees.

BOOK AID INTERNATIONAL

2009-06-13T19:15:00.003+01:00

This week I did a fundraiser with the Rainbows in Dunfermline, in aid of Book Aid International whose aim is to increase access to books and support literacy, education and development in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Rainbows have been given a lot of information in the few weeks up to the Fundraising Date and have been taking part in several craft activities with an African theme. Catalogues went out to Rainbows, Brownies and other people from the Church - St Andrew's Erskine Church of Scotland.

On the date of the Fundraiser the Rainbows continued with their African themed crafts and I read them a story 'Mama Panya's Pancakes' which they thoroughly enjoyed. At the time of writing the amount raised from the "Reading Tent" evening and other activities amount to £105.

Well done, Rainbows!

JUNE NEWSLETTER

2009-05-31T19:37:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone. Welcome to you new Barefoot lovers who I met at the Parents Like Us Festival in Leith. I hope you enjoyed the weekend. I think you will agree that the weather was certainly 'mixed', but we really couldn't complain about Sunday. It was the first time that I had been at the Festival, either as a seller or as a 'punter'. My family came along on Sunday and they really enjoyed it. Aiden especially enjoyed having a python placed around his neck. It's a high stall rental fee but I think I would still like to have a stall next year - the atmosphere is just really good - I think a perfect outlet for Barefoot Books. I was especially pleased with all the positive comments we received about our books and puppets. Many thanks to my colleague, Heather, who you may have met.

JUNE SPECIAL OFFERS

This June we are celebrating Father's Day with these great titles for Dads
(or Grandads!)

Here are your Special Offers for June:

Shopping with Dad £8.99 HB (Normally £10.99)
My Daddy is a Pretzel £4.99 PB (Normally £6.99)
Yoga Pretzels £7.99 (Normally £9.99)
Yoga Planet £7.99 (Normally £9.99)
Journey Home from Grandpa's £2.99 PB (Normally £5.99)
Bear's Busy Family £3.99 BB (Normally £4.99)
The Beeman £3.99 PB (Normally £5.99)
The Barefoot Book of Pirates £6.99 PB w CD (Normally £8.99)
The Barefoot Book of Monsters! £8.99 HB (Normally £12.99)
The Story Tree £6.99 PB w CD (Normally £8.99)
Jack and the Beanstalk £7.99 HB w CD (Normally £10.99)

EVENTS

Over the next couple of months I have the following public events booked:

6th June: Marchmont Nursery Fundraiser

21st June: Fife Historic Vehicle Club, Lathalmond, near Dunfermline

27th June: Gift Fair at Freemasons' Hall, George Street, Edinburgh

25th/26th July: The Big Tent Festival, Falkland, Fife

I would appreciate if if you would let me know of any other events where you think Barefoot Books would fit in well.

FUNDRAISING

The Rainbows in Dunfermline are holding a Fundraising Event in aid of Book Aid for Africa. If you would like to buy a book and would like me to donate 15% towards buying books for Africa, then please quote the event code: EV753

HOUSE PARTIES

I have a special incentive for anyone who is considering hosting a Barefoot Books party - choose any book up to a value of £15 when you book a date. Also, when you host a party you will receive free books for 10% of the party sales However, if you are holding the party for fundraising purposes, the percentage commission will increase. Please drop me an email if you are interested.

PRIZE DRAW

Sue Fuller won the draw held at the end of March. The next prize draw will be held at the end of June. If you wish to be entered,all you need to do is reply to this email with 'Prize Draw' as the subject. You will be in with a chance of winning £15 of Barefoot Books.

THE BIG TENT FESTIVAL - Scotland's Biggest Eco Festival

Don 't know if you're like me... I LOVE the idea of a FESTIVAL. I spent 4 days in June 1995 at Glastonbury (then, without children). I had a great time, loved seeing Oasis and Pulp, Squeeze, Simple MInds etc..... Didn't love so much trying to find my tent after the last act, queueing for toilets, queueing for washes. But still, LOVE to tell eveyone - I WENT TO GLASTONBURY!!! To be honest, I don't know what to expect of The Big Tent. I Imagine it's a festival for 'mature family oriented people'.

Also... I must admit I like my Indie Rock bands or my 'american rock' - how I would love to be at Glastonbury this year to see Bruce Springsteen - but I'm quite looking fowardto the folk acts who are appearing at The Big Tent, like Attic Lights, Shooglenifty, and many more. Click on the links. As I said, I can't recommend it on experience - I just want to try it out and see what it's like. The good news is it only costs £20 for the whole weekend, with under 12's free.. a little more for camping.

Please let me know if I can help you, or anyone you know, with any fundraising.

NEW POET LAUREATE IS A BAREFOOT AUTHOR

Carole Ann Duffy is the new Poet Laureate. She is the author of 2 Barefoot Books - the Tear Thief and The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems

Enjoy the good weather. Remember... the special offers start 1st June.

FREE POSTAGE AND PACKING UNTIL 10TH MAY

2009-05-04T16:48:00.002+01:00

Go to www.barefootbooksfife.com to buy some beautiful books and get them delivered anywhere in mainland UK for FREE.

APRIL NEWSLETTER

2009-04-07T13:05:00.016+01:00

APRIL NEW TITLES
This month's new titles are:

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales, Hardback £14.99

This anthology of 7 tales, each with an environmental message, also includes step-by-step eco activities which bring the message to life.

In addition, for every Earth Tale Book purchased during the month of April, one tree will be planted, in partnership with Eco-Libris.

Click on the Buy Now above and you can buy from me, postage free.

Home for a Tiger, Home for a Bear, Paperback £5.99

A mini-safari around the world - shows all kinds of creatures in their natural habitats.

APRIL SPECIAL OFFERS

In keeping with the environmental theme, the special offers this month are:

Yoga Planet Activity Deck was £9.99, now £7.99

Whole World, Mini Hardback with CD was £4.99, now £3.99

Whole World Fun Eco Activity Book was £2.99, now £1.99

MARCH AND JUNE PRIZE DRAWS

The winner of the March Prize Draw was Sue Fuller - congratulations! She has ordered £15 of FREE Barefoot Books. Please email me if you wish to be in with a chance of winning the next Prize Draw which will be drawn at the end of June - insert the words PRIZE DRAW as the subject.

EVENTS

If you live reasonably locally you may be interested in a festival occurring in Leith Links in Edinburgh between 8th and 10th May. It's called Parents Like Us - click the link for more information. Myself and a colleague are manning a stall there - it looks to be a great, fun event for children and adults alike.

Please let me know if there is any way I can help you out with fundraising, house parties etc.

NEW CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS

This email has been sent from my new email address. You can, however, continue to use the old address: helenlacey@mybarefootbooks.com.

HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!!

March Newsletter

2009-03-27T07:23:00.004Z

At last, the weather seems to be improving and the Easter Holidays are close approaching. There are a few important things to let you know about before the end of the month:

FREE POSTAGE AND PACKING FROM 28TH MARCH TO 31ST MARCH

If you have any presents to buy, now might be the time as we are offering Free Postage and Packing on any sales from the website (www.barefootbooksfife.com) from 28th until 31st March (saving £3.99).

MARCH SPECIAL OFFERS

There is still time to take advantage of the March Special Offers, including:

There's a Cow In the Cabbage Patch Board Book was £4.99, now £2.99

Who Are You, Baby Kangaroo? Board Book was £4.99, now £2.99

Mother Goose Remembers Hardback with Music CD was £14.99, now £12.99

Tales From Old Ireland Hardback with 2 Story CDs was £15.99, now £12.99

The Faery's Gift Hardback with Story CD was £11.99, now £8.99

MARCH PRIZE DRAW

There are not a lot of names in the March Prize Draw which will be drawn at the end of March - if you want to be entered just emai l me back - you've a good chance of winning £15 of Barefoot Books!

NEW CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS

Lastly, I have set up a new email address for my Barefoot Business and the next newsletter will probably come from that address - so hopefully it will get through your SPAM filter. The address will be: barefootbooksfife@googlemail.com.

Enjoy the rest of March!!

Baby Loves Disco

2009-03-15T21:05:00.004Z

Baby Loves Disco is a reasonably new craze spreading across UK. It started off in USA and is now present in many UK cities. I went to the Stirling event in March and was thrilled to see so many parents having such a great time - out with their babies and toddlers! The kids and the mums and dads were dancing along to the fantastic disco music of the 70's, played by the resident DJ, Ewen from Europa Music.

When the energy waned, there was the 'chill out zone'. Here there was a fantastic choice of free, healthy snacks, cushions and tents - basically an area to relax and re-energise for the next bout of dancing!

There was another room where children could get a taster of a Baby Sensory session. It's in this room that I am doing some storytelling at the next Baby Loves Disco event - on 22nd March.

Why not come along for a boogie, and when it gets too much, nip into the Storytelling room and relax while your children listen to some lovely stories, published by Barefoot Books?

Little Leap Forward in Production

2009-03-04T08:18:00.002Z

Barefoot Book's very first Young Fiction book, Little Leap Forward, is being brought to the stage! Little Leap Forward will be produced in the UK by Horse + Bamboo Theatre, which focuses on making visual theatre in which music and story-telling is central. We can't think of a better fit for bringing to life Guo Yue's sensory story of a young musician coming of age during China's Cultural Revolution.

The production is expected to open at The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester in early summer 2009. In the mean time you can follow the play's progress, from planning to opening night, on their wonderful blog, Little Leap Forward - The Story of a Production.

Barefoot's Partnership with the Kasiisi Project

2009-02-16T16:18:00.005Z

“One day these Ugandan children, like our own, will need to make important decisions about their world. Access to the best kind of books will help them make the right ones.”
Elizabeth Ross, Director of The Kasiisi Project

One of the joys of "Living Barefoot" is seeing the books we produce positively affecting the lives of children around the world. Nothing is quite as inspiring as meeting like-minded organizations who are putting our core values into action, and few stories fit this example so brilliantly as the work of The Kasiisi Project.

The Kasiisi Project is a Boston-based non-profit organization whose focus is funding classroom buildings and scholarships, encouraging literacy, and working to give rural schoolchildren in western Uganda a chance for a successful future. Barefoot’s own Sales & Marketing Director, Melisa Schulman, recently learned of this wonderful organization and their growing cultural exchange with Weston Public Schools in Massachusetts. After hearing that many of the books donated to Ugandan children from the west are so culturally irrelevant as to prove useless, Melisa thought, “Barefoot can help!”

It wasn’t long before we were organizing an online fundraiser to supplement the already impressive fundraising efforts of Kasiisi’s dedicated staff. Colorful favorites from our Africa-themed collection were soon making their way across the ocean and into the eager hands of these bright Ugandan children. With titles like Mama Panya’s Pancakes, We All Go On Safari, and African Animals ABC, we hoped to provide these children with books that were relatable as well as educational. Or as Elizabeth Ross, Director of The Kasiisi Project, puts it (more eloquently than we could have hoped):

“Books that African children can understand, books about people and places that are familiar and characters that they can identify with; books with wonderful colorful illustrations and paper that is nice to touch; books that easily translate into the local language for the youngest children; books that are good to hold and a joy to look at; books that introduce our children to vocabulary and grammar, letters and numbers but most of all open a door onto a world where reading can become a joyous habit that teaches and entertains, that nourishes the soul, celebrates diversity and awakens creativity; that gives some of Africa’s most vulnerable children a chance at a brighter future.”

Click on the Barefoot Book blog link to the left to see a video about the project.

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

2009-02-06T19:29:00.003Z

Hi
Well Winter is hanging on! I know that England and North Scotland is in the grips of horrendous snow storms and travel chaos. Meanwhile, here in Fife, the snow seems to have passed us by (in the main) - long may it last!!

New Titles

I wanted to let you know about a couple of new titles which will be available this month. Often, when stallholding at events, I have been asked if Barefoot stock any 'lift the flap' books, and have had to say "regrettably, no". However, now we do!!

TALK WITH ME! is a board book which shows children across the world learning about the differnt noises animals make.
WALK WITH ME! is another board book in which animals from around the world walk, hop, clop, slide and glide from underneath the flaps.
Both are priced at £5.99.

Special Offers

MAGIC HOOFBEATS (Paperback with 2 CDs) - was £9.99, now £7.99
THE BAREFOOT BOOK OF FAIRY TALES (Hardback) - was £14.99, now £12.99
SHAKESPEARE'S STORYBOOK (Paperback with 2 CDs) - was £9.99, now £7.99
THE BOY WHO GREW FLOWERS (Hardback) - WAS £10.99, NOW £8.99
MOTHERBRIDGE OF LOVE (Hardback) - was £10.99, now £8.99
WINTER KING, SUMMER QUEEN (Paperback) - was £5.99, now £3.99
BEAR IN SUNSHINE (Board Book) - was £4.99, now £2.99
All these can be purchased at www.barefootbooksfife.com, or by contacting me direct.

Barefoot News

Famous comedienne Jo Brand stopped by the opening of the newest Green Baby Shop in December, and we were lucky enough to have her read from the Clare Beaton favorite, There's a Cow in the Cabbage Patch. Thanks, Jo!

The Green Baby Shop is the UK's leading eco-friendly children's brand and a proud su pporter and re-seller of Barefoot Books. If you're in Reigate, be sure to check out their adorable new store!

March Prize Draw

To be entered into the March Prize Draw to win £15 worth of Barefoot Books, all you need to do is email me back.

Upcoming Events
This time of the year is always pretty slow. There's nothing planned for February, but if you hear of a fair being held locally where you think my books might fit in, please let me know!

Barefoot Books Winter Sale

2008-12-31T22:27:00.003Z

This Week's Barefoot Books Special Offer

2008-12-17T09:03:00.000Z

Price of Silence

2008-12-10T21:45:00.001Z

This Week's Special Offer From Barefoot Books

2008-12-09T20:57:00.000Z

You Are Powerful!

2008-12-08T20:22:00.003Z

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

2008-12-05T15:54:00.002Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hi everyone!

Well, Christmas is almost upon us - I hope you are all organised with your planning for the festive season. I hope, also, you have been enjoying the regular Special Offer emails I have been sending you. However, here is my Special Christmas Offer, available only to those on my mailing list - 20% discount (ends 31 December, but order soon to guarantee delivery for Christmas) - just click on the banner below:

Christmas Prize Draw

I plan to draw this on 14th December, after my last Christmas event - I will send a quick email announcing the winner.

Events

Only 2 events to go this year:

6th December - Commercial Primary School Christmas Fayre (10am -12)

13th December - Dalgety Bay Playgroup Christmas Fayre (10am - 12)

I would like to thank those responsible for putting me in touch with the organisers, and to those who hosted parties for me - your support is appreciated.

On that note, I am now looking to build up my diary for next year, so if anyone knows of any local events coming up in the New Year or if anyone local would like to host an event, please let me know. I'm always happy to help out with fundraising - so if any of you are involved in playgroups, nurseries, brownies etc I can help out. You don't need to be local - I can organise an on-line fundraiser.

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Helen

Barefoot Book's Weekly Offer

2008-11-22T18:41:00.001Z

November Newsletter

2008-11-05T16:43:00.006Z

Hello Barefooters!

Time for your November update! Halloween is now over - hope the children had good fun dressing up and 'dooking' for apples! Bonfire Night is the next fun outing for the kids and then the countdown to Christmas begins.

Favourite Lacey Reads This Month
It's cold, it's windy and it's the perfect time to be snuggling up and reading some Barefoot classics. The one I have been enjoying reading to Aiden and Thomas is "The Barefoot Books of Monsters". This book includes folk tales of monsters from all over the world - with some pretty scary illustrations.

Reviews
My niece, Holly, has revewed Barefoot Books first chapter book, "Little Leap Forward" so check it out on this blog. Thanks very much, Holly!

Recommendations for Christmas
All the new titles are now available in store. My favourite festive books are:

The Princess and the White Bear King (Team this up with the Polar Bear puppet and this will make a wonderful Christmas present!)
Babushka
Fireside Stories

Events
Public events coming up this month are:

November 22nd - Pitcorthie Primary Christmas Fayre, Dunfermline

November 26th - St Margaret's Primary Christmas Coffee Morning
November 27th - Christmas Fayre at the Vine Church, Dunfermline - come along and help raise money for a charity called Compassion who want to send 3 nurses to an island called La Gonave in May next year to immunize needy children. 6.30pm.

Remember to ask me if you have any fundraising needs - even if you are local I can arrange an 'on-line' fundraiser or party!

Enjoy November, especially Guy Fawkes Night!

Troy Davis - Stay of Execution

2008-10-25T12:26:00.005+01:00

Good News!

Troy Davis received a stay of execution based on a new last-minute appeal filed this past Wednesday to the federal appeals court in Atlanta. As a result, he will not be executed on Monday, October 27th, as originally scheduled.

At least 300,000 individuals have written letters in support of Troy. Additionally, prominent leaders such as former President Jimmy Carter, the Pope, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have all called for justice in this case. Yesterday, Amnesty International organized a Global Day of Action in which hundreds of activists in dozens of countries around the world came together to stand in solidarity for Troy. From Atlanta to Seattle, New York to Paris and Milan– hundreds of supporters gathered at rallies wearing T-shirts and holding signs that read "I am Troy Davis." On Wednesday, the European Legislature issued a statement calling for Troy's execution to be halted.

We now await the decision of the federal appeals court, which will determine whether Troy's case warrants a new hearing. We believe their ruling could happen at any time during the next month.

To stay informed about Troy Davis' case and to find out how to take additional actions, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org/troydavis

Little Leap Forward

2008-10-23T12:43:00.005+01:00

Little Leap Forward is an interesting chapter book about a young boy, called Leap Forward, living in China at the the time of the revolution. Leap Forward captures a beautiful bird in the hope that he can play along on his flute with the notes it sings. He soon realises that the bird refuses to sing in a cage and a dreadful decision is forced upon Leap Forward.

The story is stunningly illustrated throughout and excellently written to help us understand the life that Leap Forward lives. It teaches children about the value of freedom, and how Leap Forward and the bird suffered without it.

Little Leap Forward

2008-10-19T17:17:00.004+01:00

URGE CLEMENCY FOR TROY DAVIS

2008-10-16T08:48:00.011+01:00

Troy Davis was charged with killing Mark MacPhail, an off-duty police officer, in Savannah, Ga., in 1989. Davis had gone to the aid of a homeless man who was being pistol-whipped in a parking lot. Seeing the gun, he said he fled. MacPhail, working security nearby, intervened next, and was killed. Davis, an African-American, claimed his innocence, but was found guilty and sentenced to death. Since his conviction, seven of the nine non-police witnesses have recanted their testimony, alleging police coercion and intimidation in obtaining their testimony. By coming forward and recanting, they face serious repercussions, possibly jail time. Some have identified a different man as the shooter. This man is one of Davis’ remaining accusers.

In July 2007, Davis faced his first execution date. Just a day before he was to be executed, the Georgia Pardons Board granted a stay of execution for up to 90 days. Then, Davis’ attorneys argued before the Georgia Supreme Court for a retrial or for a hearing to present new evidence. The requests were denied, by a 4-to-3 vote. In the same period, the U.S. Supreme Court was weighing whether death by lethal injection constituted cruel and unusual punishment (the court ultimately allowed its use).

Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed on September 23rd, but the US Supreme Court granted a temporary stay of execution. The US Supreme Court has now declined to hear his appeal. but serious doubts about his guilt remain and compelling evidence of his innocence will now never be heard in court.

If you believe, like I do, that the Death Penalty is immoral and inhumane, OR, if you think that there are serious doubts over Davis' guilt, then PLEASE ACT NOW!!

Take urgent action to urge clemency for Troy Davis at Amnesty USA

Arthur Of Albion Wins Award

2008-10-01T12:10:00.007+01:00

We are delighted to inform you that Arthur of Albion has won a Gold Award from the National Parenting Publications Awards!

Now in its 18th year, NAPPA is the most comprehensive awards program for Children’s Products and Parenting Resources. Our independent panel of judges are experts in their fields with extensive professional experience working with children and parents. They evaluate hundreds of products to select the most fun, appealing, safe, educational, age-appropriate and enduring products so that parents can make the best purchasing choices for their families.

To find out more, Click Here.

FREE SHIPPING

2008-09-26T22:47:00.001+01:00

New Catalogue - New Titles - New Formats

2008-08-30T14:47:00.013+01:00

NEW CATALOGUE OUT NOW WITH NEW TITLES AND ALSO SOME OLD FAVOURITES IN NEW FORMATS

In addition to the Little Leap Forward, there are several new titles:
New titles include:

Yoga Planet- 50 Fun Activities for a Greener World - gives step by step instructions on how to perform poses and gives tips on how to reduce impact on our fragile planet (£9.99)
Whole World Activty Book- Fun Eco Activities for Earth Conscious Youngsters (£2.99)
Up and Down The Andes- A Peruvian Festival Tale, Hardback (£10.99)
Dotty Spotty Doodles- Arty Activity Set (£3.99)
Zig Zag Zebras- Arty Activity Set (£3.99)
Pirates Fun Activities - (£2.99)
Hidden Hippo -
a trip through the grasslands of Africa, Hardback (£10.99)
Arthur of Albion - written by Arthurian expert, John Matthews, the ultimate book on King Arthur, Hardback (£17.99)
The Princess and The White Bear King- a breathtaking adventure to the magical land that lies east of the sun and west of the moon, Hardback with CD (£11.99)
Shopping With Dad- a playful rhyming adventure that will make you laugh out loud, Hardback (£10.99)
Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins- the title says it all!, Hardback with double story CD (£15.99)

New formats include:

Barefoot Book of Princesses - now in Hardback with CD
Barefoot Book of Pirates - now in Hardback with CD
Herb the Vegetarian Dragon - now in Hardback

Browse the website and/or request a catalogue. If you wish to make an order you can do so through the website or if you live closeby you can email me with the order. (Remember Christmas is coming up!)

Alternatively - why not host a Barefoot Books Party and possibly receive you chosen books for free!

Visit www.barefootbooksfife.com

Emily's Tiger

2008-08-29T17:50:00.004+01:00

Whenever Emily doesn't get her way, she growls and roars like a tiger. She roars when her mother tries to cut her hair, she roars when she doesn't get picked to the be clown's assistant at a birthday party... what are her mum and dad going to do with their tiger-daughter? Then Grandma comes to stay - and she knows a thing or two about tigers.

This is an excellent book which shows children how to manage their own feelings of frustration and anger as they see how Emily develops her personal and social skills.

The End Of The Summer Holidays

2008-08-17T17:27:00.007+01:00

Well that's it - the end of a rainy summer holiday. Well, at least we managed to grab 2 weeks in the sun - our first family holidy abroad - in Salou, Spain. Thomas and Aiden had a great time - can't say I found it relaxing, though. But, I suppose that goes with the territory - 2 boys aged 3 and 6!

I managed to coax Thomas senior into 2 days camping in Blair Athol in the hope that he might like to do it on a more regular basis (he had never camped before). 2 days in the pouring rain, being stuck in a tent which he couldn't stand up in has not changed his mind. I think next year it may just be me and the boys.

Dogs Trust

2008-08-09T19:27:00.007+01:00

You will notice that I am manning a stall at the Dogs Trust Open Day, to be held at West Lothian College, Livingston on 24th August.

Founded in 1891, Dogs Trust, formerly known as the NCDL, has always campaigned on dog-welfare related issues to ensure a safe and happy future for our four-legged friends.

To find out more contact: http://www.dogstrust.co.uk/

Cancer Research UK - Relay for Life

2008-08-04T17:48:00.002+01:00

I am privileged to be permitted to hold a stall at the Cancer Research UK - Relay for Life event being held at Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre on Saturday 23rd August.

This inspirational community-led event that celebrates those who survive cancer and pays tribute to those who are touched by it.

Relay For Life can involve many things - a walking event, a party, a concert, a big day out. But most of all, it brings local communities together to help beat cancer.

To find out if there is one happening near you click here.

Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon

2008-07-06T17:05:00.004+01:00

Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon is a fascinating story, it is set in a far away land where dragons bring destruction and death to the people who live in Castle Dark. However, one dragon is different. Herb prefers to tend his vegetable patch than raid the helpless Castle Dark, for Herb is a vegetarian. He is a lovable character who is prepared to stand up for what he believes in even when death faces him...

This is an exciting tale, it shows children how to live in harmony and peace with each other and I would recommend it to all readers, young and old.

The Boy Who Grew Flowers

2008-07-06T16:43:00.004+01:00

The boy who grew flowers is a magical tale about a young boy, Rink Bowagon who comes from an eccentric family, who all have special talents. Rink's talent is the most wonderful of all, and therefore he is ignored, and feared among his classmates. Rink copes with this loneliness and when a new girl comes along he can finaly use his odd family to help her out in a difficult situation.

It is an excellent, well written story which teaches children about the importance of friendship and the value of acceptance.

Storytelling at Jane's

2008-06-29T17:54:00.004+01:00

Last Saturday was my first 'children's party. Jane invited round all her neighbours with their many children. I told the adults about the books and then let them have time to browse. Meanwhile I entertained the children. I gave out animal puppets and animal masks and we danced and sang to 'Animal Boogie'. Then I read them some stories. Their attention span was pretty short, but then the oldest was only 5! Several times they came up to me and asked for another story.

I enjoyed myself, the children seemed to like the stories and the adults seemed to be impressed with the books - I made quite a few sales. So, all in all, it was a success!

Thanks very much, Jane!

Congratulations Holly!!

2008-06-26T19:56:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to my talented niece, Holly. She has just passed her Grade 1 Piano Exam with Distinction - 97/100!

She obviously takes after her nanny and great nanny (NOT her mum and aunty)!

Well done!

Vintage Fair - A Success Or Not?

2008-06-16T22:02:00.003+01:00

Well, 5 hours spent standing in a chilly building, getting sore feet and a really sore back with the result of very few book sales. Was it worth it?

Yes, I think so. It was an experience - I got the first one over with so I know what to expect now. I gave out lots of catalogues and people were interested in the free prize draw. Maybe there will be some follow up and people will look at the website - you never know!

Looking forward to Jane's children's party on Saturday.

First Event Over

2008-05-31T21:42:00.001+01:00

Wow! The Event went REALLY well. I thought there was going to be hardly anyone there - but people came who had originally pulled out so that was a lovely surprise. All my friends who were there were VERY supportive and enthusiastic and loved the products. Thanks very much, everyone. It's really given the business a good launch!

Next event - the Festival of Historic Transport at Lathalmond - 15th June.

Starting Out - First Post

2008-05-17T21:46:00.001+01:00

This is my first post - as a Barefoot Books Stallholder AND as a blogger! I found out about Barefoot Books when I was browsing the internet for ideas on how to earn a little extra money. The website was so attractive and inviting that I just could not refuse. So, I signed up and now I'm hooked. I am busy trying to get the business off the ground. At present I have a fundraising event on the go -

Little VIPs fundraiser - quote EV001 and 15% of sales go to playgroup funds.

My launch party on 30th May.

Working on more leads as I'm really keen to get out there and spread the word.