Barefoot Books- LadyD: Review- Barefoot Books

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Book Review: Starlight Sailor

For ages 2-6

Star light, star bright

Gold Dragon

Review:

Starlight Sailor is a wonderful children's story that I found through Barefoot Books Publishing Company. The story line is about a little boy (and his dog) who takes an adventurous journey across the water in his paper boat to a far away land.

Jackie Morris, the author lives by the sea in a little house and has illustrated The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems, one of my favorite collections. James Mayhew, the other author, works in a garden studio and has illustrated The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera and can be found in my piano studio library collection.

My three grandsons love to engage in pirate stories, fishing, sailing and everything about the sea. So, this story is a delight, especially when the children on the island pretend to be knights and kings and explore a cave.

I found this beautiful hardcover children's book to be the perfect bedtime book. I would rate this book ***** stars. The soft rhyming tells a lovely, dreamy tale and opens with:

"Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight."

The pros of the book is that it is easy to read and if you love fantasy and ethereal illustrations, you will find a dreamy tale within these colorful pages. This beautiful children's book is a real page-turner for ages 2 to 6. You'll find instructions for making your own paper boat at the back of the book.

The only downside that I can find with the book is that it is a large hardcover one. It would be nice to have a different format available like a paperback book for boys and girls to read and take to bed with.

Also, the action builds when the reader is introduced to a large red and gold dragon but it's a nice dragon (not too scary) that takes the children on a ride through the night. For most kids, it will be a sweet dragon.

The illustrations are magical - a timeless classic! You'll see blue whales, blue birds, knights and kings along this journey of fantasy and pretend. Even the red and gold dragon is a nice gentle dragon, flying here and there, taking children everywhere!

The starfish and mermaids singing their lullaby is sure to put any young child fast to sleep. So dream on little ones of magical play with flying fish dancing in the sky!

November is Picture Book Month and today, tomorrow highlights children's books about seas and pirates. Barefoot Books publishes lots of these. Visit Dena's Book Nook

Do you have your own paper boat story or activity?

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Barefoot Books at Christ the King Lutheran Preschool Book Fair

Christ the King Book Fair
Originally uploaded by LadyD_Barefoot Books

One of the most popular books bought at another local school fundraiser is the Cleo series and especially Cleo's Counting Book.

Cleo's Counting Book
Join Cleo as she counts from one to ten, then back down to one again. Two double-page spreads of number reinforcement help the mastering of counting skills, while the rhyming text and the familiar items to count add to the appeal. Hardcover edition includes Cleo height chart.

Ages 1 to 4 years

Written By: Stella Blackstone

Illustrated By: Caroline Mockford

My Review:

What makes this counting book so delightful is that it is filled with adventure in counting outdoor animals like dogs, frogs, birds and trees. What fun to count to ten and then back again! It's easy for children to focus on the main character, Cleo the bright orange cat. The interaction of little ones learning how to count through repetition is rewarding for both parents and children, sure to bring smiles on faces!

Have fun counting back from 10!
This book is currently on sale... was $15.99 now $8.99 (Hardcover)
Market Place

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-The sweet, triangle-faced feline introduced in Come Here, Cleo (2001) and Cleo in the Snow (2002, both Barefoot) explores the outdoors as she counts bees, frogs, flowers, and trees in rhyme. A large, patterned numeral reinforces each concept, as does Cleo's finale of counting backward as she descends a flight of steps. Mockford's cartoon acrylics continue to appeal with their simplicity of shapes and highly charged colors.
Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Thick, brilliant acrylics on lush watercolor paper create visual pleasure.... Mockford's uncomplicated renditions, outlined in heavy black line, seem inspired by Lucy Cousins's style, and are fitting companions to the simple text." --School Library Journal

Are you familiar with Barefoot Books? Perhaps you have an ambassador in your area. I'm in Southern California and I'm an ambassador for Barefoot Books in North County San Diego.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Oh, by the way, how did you hear about Barefoot Books- LadyD?

Book Review of Lin Yi's Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale by Brenda Williams

Lin Yi's Lantern

A Moon Festival Tale

Meet Lin Yi — a little boy with a big heart and a talent for bargaining. Tonight is the moon festival and he wants nothing more than a red rabbit lantern; but first he must buy the things his mother needs at the market. This heartwarming story shows the rewards of putting others first, and includes educational notes at the end about the Chinese moon festival, life in rural China, and the legend of the moon fairy.

Ages 5 to 9 years
Written By: Brenda Williams
Illustrated By: Benjamin Lacombe

This book glows as warm as a real Chinese lantern.

"Lin Yi's Lantern is a stunning book in every way. This is a heartwarming story of a young boy, struggling to balance his desires with his responsibilities, as he helps his family prepare for the Chinese Moon Festival. The gorgeous, warm illustrations not only convey the emotions of Lin Yi and overall mood of the tale, but also detail the beauty of the fabrics, rooftops, bridges and latticework of the Chinese culture.

A new favorite in my house! (ages 3, 5 and 8... and me!)

The Moon Festival is a mid-Autumn harvest celebration which takes place on the 15th day of the the month on the Chinese lunar calendar. Lin Yi's Lantern would make an excellent jumping-off point for a home or classroom cultural study! So many possibilities!"

Lisa Abrahamson says:

"It is a beautiful story about a little boy who tries very hard to be clever at bargaining in the local market in order to have enough money left over to buy a red rabbit lantern for the lantern festival. In the end to his great disappointment he does not have enough money to buy the lantern- however the story has a happy ending! In today's culture of instant gratification, this book illustrates in a delicate way how to accept disappointment and not expect instant gratification. It also illustrates how meaningful a gift can be when one least expects it!"

Kathleen von Raesfeld says:

"Lin Yi's Lantern is a sweet story of culture, grace and family relationships. Li Yi's mother gives him a job and he stays on task. There are temptations along the way but because he does the right thing, there is reward. The art is breathtaking and the characters are quite like-able. I also LOVE the step by step instructions on making a Chinese lantern in the back of the book. This really makes our reading time into quality time spent together talking about difficult choices in life and how choose to handle them. "

About The Book:

This delightful story begins with a beautiful Chinese mother sharing her market list with her young son. She sends him off to purchase moon cakes, star fruit, rice and yams. In addition to getting peanuts for his Uncle, Lin Yi hopes to purchase a red rabbit lantern for himself if there is enough money leftover to bargain with. A wonderful lesson on responsibility, thinking of others and the joy of receiving a gift!

In the back of the book you'll find:

* The Legend Of the Moon Fairy told by Lin Yi's Uncle Hui.

* Make A Chinese Lantern

* Market Life In China