Barefoot Books

The Princess and the White Bear King by Tanya Robyn Batt and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli is a happily ever after story adapted from three European fairy tales. In this beautifully illustrated story, a young princess has a dream. Her father, the King, tries his best to re-create it, but it seems that only the great White Bear holds the key to her dreams.


The story immediately puts you in the wintry setting,

"In the North, where the thickly-needled pine forests are deep and dark and the snow falls bride-white, there once lived three Princesses, daughters of a King and Queen. All three were beautiful, but with her long, fair hair and her dreamy eyes, the youngest was the fairest by far. And her father loved her best."

The princess finds herself in an adventure with the White Bear, and the mystery surrounding him and his castle. In a moment of doubt, the princess’s true love seems to be snatched away. She must now complete a journey that takes her to a land that lies east of the sun and west of the moon where she must prove herself worthy of the White Bear King.


I received this book and the accompanying CD from Barefoot Books. My children listened to it and loved the story even without the book. Once they saw the book, they fell in love with the colorful, whimsical illustrations.

Browsing through the Barefoot Books website, it appears that all their books are richly illustrated with bright colors and appealing drawings. If you’re looking for just the right book for a child this Christmas, why not check out Barefoot Books. You will find a unique selection that focuses on quality literature.

As the author, Tanya Robyn Batt, says,

“The story begins with a dream, as do many of our adventures in life, and ends as all fairy tales should, with laughter, love and happiness ever after.”

After taking a look at the Barefoot Books website, you may be interested in selling these books yourself. If so, check out their stallholder program.

Thinking about buying books for Christmas this year instead of toys from China? Me too. My kids love audio books, and I do too, since they don't require as much reading from me. Many of the books from Barefoot Books include a CD.

Here's a special offer from Barefoot Books for free shipping so you can get stared with that Christmas shopping right away. Running from November 1^st through the end of the month, start shopping and then use this Special Offer Code at checkout to activate the free shipping on their orders - SCSHSH - it's that easy!

A new life in Christ

Michael Fran*zese was a financially powerful member of a New York Crime family. He was sworn into the Colo*mbo Crime Fam*ily at the age of 24, against the initial wishes of his father. He has been referred to as the Mo*b's, "Long Island Don" and "The Prince of the Ma*fia."

He was once the primary target of a massive, fourteen agency government task force that "had one assignment----to bring down the Ma*fia's youngest and most financially powerful new superstar, Michael Fran*zese." At the height of his m*ob activity, Michael was "one of the biggest money earners the m*ob had seen since Al Ca*pone, and the youngest individual on Fortune magazine's survey of "The Fifty Biggest Ma*fia Bosses." (Vanity Fair Magazine).

This guy was living the "high life" in a life of cri*me, until God choose Him. That's right. God called this man into service for the Kingdom of God despite the life of sin he was pursuing.

On the set of a film he was producing he met and fell in love with one of the dancers. She would ultimately be the woman God would use to bring him to himself. She would introduce Michael to Christ. Eventually, they would marry.

Eventually, he would walk away from his life in the mo*b and he would refuse government protection. In fact, he is the only high ranking official in the mo*b to leave, refuse protection, and live to tell about it.

And he isn't hiding folks!!!

I was fortunate enough to visit my brother's church on the week that Michae*l Franz*ese came to speak. It was amazing. This man has not only left the m*ob and lived, but he is preaching the glory of God across the nation!!

You can read all about his incredible story in his book, "Blo*od Covenant". You can order it and learn more at this website. (It is also available at amaz*on)

I wanted to share with you a few of the things that he said that touched my heart:


1. The ground at the foot of the cross is LEVEL! (can I get an AMEN on that one?) So many people struggle with their past, but we need to remember that when we come to Christ we have a new life! We are given a fresh start and those sins are forgotten, no matter what they were.

II Corinthians 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"


2. Where are you in giving your life to God versus studying Him as a subject? You see, Michael was an alter boy growing up. He knew all about God, but didn't know God. There is a difference. God taught him that religion was more than a subject. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

3. God will prove himself without a doubt if you seek Him and surrender. It won't be "beyond a reasonable doubt" the way our court system handles things. It will be beyond ANY doubt! He shared how this has been true in his life. The gospel is TRUE and will hold itself up to any scrutiny.



He has an amazing story to share and I am so glad I was able to hear him speak. I encourage you to check him out and read about God's amazing power in this man's life.

~Mary

Books to the ceiling,

Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them! How I need them!
I'll have a long beard by the time I read them.
~Arnold Lobel

I have a slight obsession with books. I buy them full price, I buy them at garage sales, we check dozens out each week at the library. I love a good book, and I'm sure many of you feel the same. So, when I read about Barefoot Books and got my hands on their catalogue, I was pretty excited. I love buying books for gifts, particularly for the littlest people I know. And I am already on the hunt for one-of-a-kind, beautiful books to give out this December!

Today I read a compilation of pirate stories in "The Barefoot Book of Pirates" written by Richard Walker. Geared for ages 5-10, this book is full of colorful illustrations by Olwyn Whelan, and each story is a retelling of an old legend. This book includes retellings of Scandanavian, German, English, Irish, Scottish, Japanese, and Morroccan legends. It was really interesting and fun to read. Also included is a CD which narrates all the stories, which most kids love (my kids love to listen to them in the car).


Other than the content, which I found really interesting, I also enjoyed this book because it presented a good balance of both text and illustrations. There were illustrations on every page (to encourage newer readers who still love pictures) but enough text that the book is also interesting and appropriate for more fluent readers. It would also be a nice book to read aloud, because of the natural stopping points between the short stories and the unique illustrations.

"The Barefoot Book of Pirates" would be an excellent gift for any child who likes pirates, or for any child who enjoys compilations of short stories.

And... Rebecca at Barefoot Books has a special right now. Check it out!

Receive a FREE copy of Storytime with any purchase of $30 or more until October 31st!** Following the success of The Story Tree and in response to our customers' demand for a comprehensive preschool collection, this anthology brings together a cast of characters that kids and adults will love - from the Gingerbread Man to The Ugly Duckling and The Three Little Pigs. While it is tailored for two- and three-year-olds, this collection will entertain everyone with its dynamic storytelling and vivid illustrations.

**It will be automatically added to your order when it is shipped from the warehouse. It will not appear in your basket when you check out.

I always love a good deal, particularly when it comes to books. Happy Reading!

Book Review - The Jesus Storybook Bible

The Jesus Storybook Bible is a children's bible that we bought a few months ago based on a few recommendations. We have read it straight through twice now and love it! Not only did I love it, but my daughters did as well.

The book declares on the cover that, "every story whispers his (Jesus') name" and as you read through the stories, He is continually revealed.

One of my favorite lines in the opening story is, "But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done." I have to tell you have it has taken me 30 years to finally understand this more deeply. I am so happy to have a bible that is already filling my children with this knowledge.

The focus of this story bible is that the Bible, while compromised of many smaller stories, is really telling ONE Big Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

Every single story in this book is concluded with a connection to God's ultimate plan to save His people...

Isaac carries wood up a hill with Abraham to prepare a sacrifice for God. Isaac is put on the wood until God provides a ram. Years later, another Son will climb a hill with wood on his back. He would trust His Father too and would not run away.

David defeats Goliath to save God's people. Years later God will send another hero (Jesus) to save them.

Daniel obeys God regardless of the cost. God will send another Hero who will do whatever God commands, even it if means he would die.

This bible provides the "big picture" of God's plan while relating the smaller stories of individuals and families in the bible. Our family has loved it and I wanted to share it with you.

(We previously read, "The Big Picture Storybook Bible," and loved it! The Jesus Storybook Bible has the same focus on God's plan, but includes many of the smaller stories that The Big Picture Storybook Bible left out, such as Jonah.)

The Bronze Bow book review

I started reading The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare to my daughters, ages 7 and 10, a few weeks ago. We have been intrigued by the life of Jews during the time Jesus was on earth. The book has sparked many discussions about God's word and our faith. I highly recommend that you read this book with your family.



In Jerusalem, in the time when Christ began his ministry on earth, a boy named Daniel is trying to find his own way in the world. Have you ever wondered if you had been a Jew at the time when Jesus was teaching would you have listened? Would you have believed? I think about that often, especially when I struggle with doubts. When I question God.



Daniel has joined a renegade group who want to rise up against the Romans. He carries memories of the damage the Romans did to his family and to his sister, who cannot leave her house. The terror that entered their lives when they were young, has left his sister tormented by demons and turned Daniel’s fear into anger.

When he hears of a man named Jesus and the things he talks about, the coming Kingdom, Daniel wonders if Jesus is like him. Could Jesus be the savior that could free them from the Roman rule?

But the more Daniel hears Jesus speak and as he witnesses Jesus’s healing power, he can’t help but turn these strange things over in his mind. Jesus teaches they should love their enemies, but surely he doesn’t mean they should love the Romans? Jesus teaches the story of the good Samaritan and Daniel scoffs, “If Jesus means that the Jews and Samaritans should treat each other like neighbors, that is foolish. It could never happen.”

Daniel and his friends make a pact to stand together for God’s victory. They linger over the words of David, “He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” And they hope for freedom. Will it come as they expect it?

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live at the time of Jesus, this book will take you there. On the streets of Capernaum and Galilee you will find out what it was like to live in this tumultuous time. And you will see Jesus through the eyes of a Jewish boy.

If you would like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on this post. I will draw a winner one week from today.


Update: Congratulations to AshleyR! Your copy of The Bronze Bow is on its way!