The Barefoot Storyteller

Chocolate Truffles, Oh My!

2012-01-24T10:04:00.004-05:00

The "traditional" truffle...dense and creamy dark chocolate center, dipped in chocolate, and then rolled in powdered sugar. Maybe a few rolled in coccoa powder... maybe some Aztec variety with cinnamon & a little red pepper. Is your mouth watering yet? Ready to try some Storyteller & Son Chocolates at the Fairfield Chocolate Festival February 11th?

How about an all natural blueberry & chocolate truffle, dipped in milk chocolate, and then dipped again in dark chocolate? Mmmm yum. These are going to be my favorites I am sure!

Gourmet chocolates made fresh from all-natural ingredients, including pure butter, fresh whipping cream, and the finest quality chocolate. Hand-rolled, hand-dipped.

Winter Flowers

2012-01-12T08:12:00.007-05:00

Felted flowers on the vine...is it too early to start thinking of your Valentine?

I'm thinking of the Fairfield Chocolate Festival. Visit me there, or look for other felted flowers and art for those you love upon my Etsy sites: BarefootStoryteller.etsy.com and MothersMoon.etsy.com

Introducing....

2012-01-05T06:09:00.009-05:00

Storyteller & Son Chocolates... debuting at the 2012 Annual Fairfield Chocolate Festival in February

Beautiful New Year

2012-01-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

"...and Son" * I am so very overjoyed to make this public declaration of the New Year in business! He has always been such a big part of what I do, creating by my side, being my inspiration, and now a bit of the recognition he deserves. Now just wait until you see the new ideas we have together!

Celebration

2011-12-31T09:58:00.000-05:00

If you don't mind my saying, I do love my colorful felt star & satin ribbon wands...for New Year's Eve Celebrations and Birthday Wishes, and small bits of magic anytime.... also putting on the Party Hats tonight! BarefootStoryteller.etsy.com

Felted Bird House

2011-12-20T15:37:00.002-05:00

When I saw one of these created by a fellow felt artist, I just knew I had to make some too! They are a wonderful all natural, biodegradable, warm and cozy home for your feathered friends! They are weather resistant (water does not soak in) but eventually will begin to show wear...when that happens, the birds will then be able to use bits of the wool to line their new nests! These are cut with holes that suit my Chickadees, but you could widen for larger birds. Bottoms are sewn shut, but you can remove stiches to clean house if desired, and then sew back up! There's one available over at my Mothers Moon etsy shop. MothersMoon.etsy.com

Shop Local

2011-11-19T23:24:00.003-05:00

Popular at the Ashwood Waldorf School's Holiday Faire, these last two felt "Kris Kringle" ornaments are soon be be on their way over to one of my etsy shops BarefootStoryteller.etsy.com where they'll join some other Yuletide type goodies, such as felt holly & berries pins, large felt mushrooms, soft gnome dolls or red and green, a few white doves of peace, and more. Please visit!

And please shop handmade this season, shop small businesses, shop local. Shop were it matters most.

Liesl & Po

2011-11-01T11:14:00.000-04:00

Thank you Harper & Collins, for offering a free online reading of Liesl & Po written by Lauren Oliver and illustrated by Kei Acedera, from now until January 31st. Just click here to start reading.

Little Green (and red) Apples

2011-10-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

Had a wonderful time at MOFGA's Maine Apple Day on Sunday! I gave needle felting tutorials on how to make these little apples, and a few other things. My booth was located right across from the cider press and it was a joy to watch the children especially take turns winding the crank, and feeding apples to the machine. The very best part, of course, was a near constant supply of the very best raw apple cider I have ever had! (at least since last year's pressing!)

Barefoot Books Opportunity!

2011-09-22T03:53:00.004-04:00

Blogging about the latest Barefoot Books opportunity (and it's a nice one!) over here on my Barefoot Books blog

Common Ground Fair

2011-09-05T17:37:00.000-04:00

Getting ready for my appearance at the Maine Organic Farmer's Association Common Ground Fair in Unity on September 23rd. Taking to the stage again at 2:45pm Looking forward to it!

Storytelling Festival

2011-08-01T01:40:00.003-04:00

The Western Maine Storytelling Festival (the first annual) takes place in downdown Farmington, Maine August 5th & 6th. Simply show me a copy of The Barefoot Storyteller ad from the festival program, and receive a 20% discount on any Barefoot Storyteller event booked in August!

Maine Artisan Bread Fair

2011-07-21T22:08:00.004-04:00

Looking forward to returning to The Maine Artisan Bread Fair event this year! You'll find me there with some wood burned items (as I wrote about in my May 25th post on this blog), some of my felted veggies (a little peek seen on this blog listing) and also little felt chicken puppets to go along with my reading of "The Little Red Hen and the Grain of Wheat". You'll also find some Maine Made Jams, and a few Barefoot Books publications such as the Kids' Kitchen deck, Herb the Vegetarian Dragon, The Beeman , The Gigantic Turnip, and more.

20% of my proceeds of the day will proudly be donated to the Maine Farmland Trust again this year.

For those of you who are unable to attend this Saturday event in Skowhegan, the wood and felt art will be added to the Barefoot Storyteller etsy shop sometime after the event (if there are any of them left!) and the Barefoot Books publications can be found on-line upon my link www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com

Though I won't be offering any Chronicle Books for sale at this event, I'd like to share a special on-line sale for them with you...just click the button below to receive 30% off cook book orders!

Events

2011-07-08T02:46:00.002-04:00

Summer is certainly in full swing here...and I am gardening (or local farm stand purchasing), preparing for upcoming events, looking forward to my son's presentation at Pecha Kucha Night Waterville July 20th (and his performance in a Lakewood Theater's Young Performer's Production July 30th) doing some kayaking on the pond, and waiting for a cool breeze. Not the time of year for making soaps or doing too much felting, but excellent time for hanging herbs to dry.

Should soon be ready for Waterfall Arts Lawn Bazaar and Let Art and Nature Collide on July22nd in Belfast. Not sure if I'll be inspired to tell stories, but will have the "create your own story" stand up for the kids as usual. I'll be selling my wares for sure though, thinking of doing a blending of my handmade naturals and some books, and maybe a few other items. Can't decide who to give my usual event % donation to, so will be choosing four! Maine Farmland Trust, Thor-Nox Educational Garden, Camp Forest, and, the Maine Autism Society! After that is the Belfast Bound Book Festival on the 29th, and the Maine Bread Artisans Fair in Skowhegan July 30th.

Thor-Nox Educational Garden

2011-06-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

The soil is tiled, and the garden is underway! Now I begin a photo essay to accompany and document the experience. Located adjacent to the Mount View School complex in Thorndike, the garden sits upon a piece of the historical 420 acre farm which is under conservation easement, owned by Shirley Bessey. Kelly Desrosiers, Mount View Elementary School Art Teacher and Project Based Learning Adviser, is helping to develop this educational garden on Ms. Bessey's land, with great enthusiasm from Ms. Bessey herself. The garden will be a hands-on project for students and the community, from planting, to tending, to harvesting crops for the school cafeteria. Along the way will be nature journaling and many other activities to encourage appreciation of the natural world just outside the children's proverbial back door.

To keep up to date with the going on in the garden (including when I'll be having my Afterschool Performing Arts group presenting an adaptation of "The Gigantic Turnip"!) please visit the Thor-Nox Educational Garden facebook page

Pecha Kucha Night, Waterville

2011-06-25T10:14:00.001-04:00

My son Jakob has been selected to be a presenter at the next Pecha Kucha Night in Waterville. He'll be sharing 20 of his hand drawn sketches of charactors from the "new" BBC Doctor Who series. We are told he is the youngest artist ever the presentation would take place four nights before his 10th birthday) to submit to PKN Waterville. I am quite proud!

MSBA 2011-2012 Reading Group

2011-06-13T22:29:00.000-04:00

I have placed the bare bones information about the Maine Student Book Award Reading Group for Mount View Elementary upon the Barefoot Storyteller web-site. And created a Maine View Elementary MSBA Readers Blog

If you are interested in purchasing the books yourself, I have provided links for them through Amazon for ease of ordering, as they are often the least expensive. Some titles are also available through the Scholastic Book Club, and if you chose to buy through them instead you will earn free books for the entire Mount View Elementary Summer Reading Program. After you and log on to the Scholastic Store, and create your parent password, use the classroom code HL23F and you will be able to view the program wish lists and recommendations relating to the MSBA. (some may appear more than once as they are in multiple catalogs) You are also free to browse and shop for any other books there, and all books can be picked up at the Summer Reading Program.

Elementary Afterschool Performing Arts Program

2011-06-13T19:21:00.000-04:00

Mount View Elementary Afterschool Performing Arts Program members preparing for the performance of "And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon" at the Clifford Performing Arts Center.

Wood

2011-05-25T13:08:00.000-04:00

I love working with wood. I may never get those burl wood bowls carved, but I've done other wood carvings. Enjoy making wands with applewood, and adding bits of ribbon and felt. Birch bark is fun to work with. Any sort of small sticks are good for toad or fairy houses. And I've been known to let my creativity fly with the wood burning tool on all sorts of stuff. In preparing for the Maine Artisan Bread Fair in July I am letting that creativity fly on some bread boards, dipping bowls, and wooden spoons.

Craft Packages

2011-05-20T16:50:00.005-04:00

These are a few little special "packages" that I put together...more information and pricing is available upon my facebook page

Performing Arts Afterschool

2011-05-02T05:53:00.000-04:00

Working with the MSAD# 3 Elementary Afterschool Performing Arts Program on the Spring/Summer Play. Having them start "prop work" and looking forward to seeing their creative energies on giant posterboard!

Maine School Garden Network

2011-04-11T14:36:00.001-04:00

Had a wonderful time at the Maine School Garden Network event Saturday, in Waldoboro! Brought along some of my goodies, including felted veggies: carrots, corn, & potatoes!

Chickadee Award 2011

2011-04-05T10:12:00.007-04:00

Horray, horray! Maine author Chris Van Dusen's book The Circus Ship has won the 2011 Chickadee Award!

Here's the complete tally:

Circus Ship 3,529 votes... Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes 3,267 votes... Tsunami 2,920 votes... Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer 1,497 votes... The Imaginary Garden 1,279 votes.... Hurry Up and Slow Down 1,019 votes... Testing the Ice 991 votes... My Name is Sangoel 807 votes... An Eye for Color 541 votes... Under the Snow 480 votes

Fortune's Folly

2011-03-17T15:05:00.002-04:00

A fellow blog's short review on a book I frequently read snippets from, "Fortune's Folly"

MSBA Book Buzz

Star Wands on Applewood

2011-02-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

I love making these fun star wands on apple wood with ribbon! The stars and ribbons are in the colors of the rainbow, and the apple wood harvested from my own trees. Make some magic today!

The Giant Walnut

2011-01-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

A moment to share my son's own creativity, and story telling... the "giant walnut". Something that came to him in a dream, story developing, hand sculpted clay art...

The Cyber World

2011-01-18T01:59:00.003-05:00

A thought copied from the Mothers Moon Blog... It's winter in Maine. I miss the simplicity of roadside stands and farmers markets that the other three seasons bring. But I'm vowing to reach out to folks more here on my blog, and Mothers Moon twitter account, and even perhaps create a "business" facebook page.

Edited 2-27-11: See link button to the facebook page on the right

Soaps

2011-01-12T06:18:00.000-05:00

New Year...a nice time to think of signing up yourself or a friend for my Mothers Moon "Soap of the Month Club". Find more information about the club HERE or maybe you just want to purchase a single bar through my MothersMoon.etsy shop

Yoga CD

2011-01-11T20:57:00.002-05:00

New Year's Sale! All Putumayo Yoga Cds in stock, just $10!

storyteller@fairpoint.net

Spring Stuff at Barefoot Books

2011-01-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

Keeping folks in the loop with what's up over at Barefoot Books! Right now there's the annual Winter Sale going on (with up to 60% off on certain items) and, though my son is most excited for the upcoming release of the chapter book version of Shakespere's Storybook, Barefoot will also be releasing some bright and colorful new books this Spring and Summer!

Here's a sneak peek at a few:

Bears Birthday: Join Bear as he celebrates his birthday with a party for all his friends. Learn about birthday activities as the bears hunt for presents, play party games and blow out the candles on a Bear-size birthday cake. PB $6.99 6/1

I Could Be, You Could Be: Join a young boy and girl on thrilling adventures as they imagine themselves as a space-traveling astronaut, a ferocious dragon, a jungle-dwelling monkey and more. The fine line between children's make-believe and the fantastic worlds they create is cleverly portrayed through Barroux s bright landscapes. Includes a mask-making activity at the end! HC $16.99 6/1

Over in the Meadow: This traditional rhyming tale takes children on a counting journey through Jill McDonald s colorful meadow scenes, meeting a variety of busy animal families along the way. Children will relish the vivid descriptions of the animals and their activities, from a bumpy mother toad and her baby basking in the sun to a hairy mother spider and her ten children spinning webs in a den. HC $16.99 4/1

Children of the World Memory Game (Sofie Fatus):
Inspired by the title If You're Happy and You Know It, this memory game utilizes one of the greatest attributes of the book-the adorable children from all over the world-to encourage memory and matching skills. The object of the game is to match the boy and girl pairs according to the traditional dress, country name and colour featured on each card $15.99 3/1

African Animals

2011-01-08T21:21:00.000-05:00

Preparing for a storytelling event focusing on African Animals...and will be bringing these neat Putumayo products along...deciding still if I want to make them part of a regular "package", along with the Putumayo African Dreamland and Putumayo African Playground

Putumayo Africa Coloring Book: Captions, a map and a glossary help budding artists identify the images as they color and learn about African culture.

Drawing captions
Glossary of African animals and instruments
Colorable map of Africa
Dimensions: 11.5" x 14" (29 x 35 cm)
Printed with eco-friendly soy ink
$10

Putumayo Africa Sticker Book: Curious kids can build sticker stories on the fold-out African landscape, explore countries on the full-color map and check the glossary to get the scoop behind the sticker images. These reusable stickers adhere to almost any surface.

120 colorful, reusable stickers
Fold-out African landscape
Glossary of African animals and instruments
Dimensions: 9” x 9” (23 cm x 23 cm)
Printed with eco-friendly soy ink
$12

Putumayo has sourced sustainably-derived resources in the manufacture of products. Their printer is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and the company has taken a “100% replanted” approach, providing funds to Trees, Water, People to support global reforestation efforts.

2010-12-31T17:35:00.024-05:00

This past autumn brought a merging, or a reuniting perhaps, of Mothers Moon & The Barefoot Storyteller. It was an understanding that the two parts of my life could actually exist together quite nicely after a few readjustments. (which are really still ongoing) What sense it made, as I am, as always, simply one person afterall... though my son has indeed been a wonderfull part of all I have done since his birth, and my greatest influence.

Most folks that know me, know of my doula practice & natural products business Mothers Moon. Time spent beneath the full moon by myself or with others has always been very centering, peaceful, renewing & inspiring for me…. especially as it reflects over the water here at Freedom Pond. Because of that, when we first moved here in 1996, the art that I was doing, the herbal blends I made, the beeswax candles I dipped, the women’s gatherings, and all that sprang forth from me, I half jokingly called “Freedom Pond Moon-works“... long before I had any ideas of having a business. (being anti-establishment, the idea of registering an actual business was something that I had avoided for many years) . Then it came that my women's circle honored a very special full moon here one May, called the “Mothers Moon”, which I simply thought was just so beautiful and inspiring... and Mothers Moon was born.

Some folks know that The Barefoot Storyteller is a name I was given much longer ago, in my traveling days...of gathering children for stories and daisy-chain making. It was as my son grew out of his early childhood, that my persona as The Barefoot Storyteller seemed to be growing as well, and it too became a business. Quite a few folks of more recent years assume there is a direct connection to the name and my association with Barefoot Books, but that was no more than a happy accident.

Now in coming full circle, it may be in 2011 that, with my son's serious involvement in creating more of the arts and products, there is a chance of a return to being Freedom Pond Moonworks, for it could prove to be a fitting title for all that we do, together. I'm proud to have my son working at my side, and continuing to inspire me....hopefully I inspire him too! I am looking forward to whatever projects we may collaborate on in the coming year, and hopefully beyond.

Creating Collaborative Communities

2010-12-23T08:02:00.001-05:00

Syntiro will be having their annual Winter Retreat at Point Lookout in Northport on January 28th-29th, 2011. And I am so happy to be a part of it again! Please stop by The Barefoot Storyteller booth, and join us to learn about using arts integration and technology.
Many of the presenters are your arts education colleagues!
There is $3-4,000 available for each superintendents region in Maine for educators to attend. To learn more about this professional development opportunity click on www.syntiro.org/events/winter-retreat.html.

First Book

2010-12-20T15:54:00.000-05:00

I'm still distributing free books across Waldo County to elementary, middle schools, high schools, homeschoolers, and community centers from my First Book* grant! So far in 2010, books were given out at Mt. View High School, Belfast High School, RSU#3 4th & 5th grades, Mt. View Middle School & Jr. High, Mt. View Elementary, Mt. View Elementary PTA, Unity Barn Raisers, Waterfall Arts, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waldo County, Clifford Performing Arts Center, Twice Loved Boutique, Waldo County Broadreach, Belfast Area Adult Ed, Granny Goat Daycare, Michelle's Daycare, and the Unity College Performing Arts Center.

*First Book works through existing community programs and literacy efforts such as myself to provide a steady stream of new free or low cost books that elevate educational programming and improve access to reading materials. All books from this grant become the personal property of the children. I'm so glad to be a part of it! If you belong to an organization (or know of one) for kids in Waldo County, please get in touch with me.

Season's Greetings!

2010-12-08T05:16:00.002-05:00

Please click here for a Season's Greetings message from me, and Cleo the Cat!

Santa is bringing books!

2010-12-06T13:36:00.001-05:00

Santa Claus is coming to town in Unity! And he's giving out free books! All good children please come by the Unity Community Center Holiday Party from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday December 7th to visit with Santa and receive a free book! In addition there will be a coats for kids box, and they are accepting canned food to give to the Regional Food Pantry. The Unity Community Center is located at 32 School Street in Unity. You are also invited to the lighting of the three pergolas in Triplet Park before the Holiday Party, at 4:45pm. The trees will remain lit during the nighttime through January in memory of Joshua, Marcus, and Brydon and Jonesy.

The Mitten

2010-12-05T09:50:00.000-05:00

Working with the MSAD# 3 Elementary Afterschool Performing Arts Program on a Winter recital and decided to throw in a readers' theater of Jan Brett's "The Mitten"...really looking forward to it!

Money Raised for Toys for Kids!

2010-12-04T21:15:00.000-05:00

A big Thank You goes out to Alicia McCormick who ran my Barefoot Storyteller booth at the Mount View Christmas Craft Fair and raised money for the Waldo County United Bikers of Maine Christmas Toy Collection for Wings of Love!

Wings of Love

2010-11-22T13:45:00.002-05:00

Waldo County United Bikers of Maine is collecting toys for Wings of Love. Please help by donating a new unwrapped toy, or even a few dollars toward the purchase of some. The Barefoot Storyteller will be donating 20% of all it's proceeds from the craft fair at Mt. View High School on December 4th (9am - 3pm) AND you can also shop the Barefoot Books web-site and click on the link to give 20% of the cost of your shopping basket to this cause!

The holidays can be tough for everyone but as we all know it is a time for shaing, caring and loving everyone. We need to all do what we can to make sure each & every child in our community has a gift to open on Christmas morning. Please do what you can to help.

Storytelling Event

2010-10-11T06:55:00.000-04:00

On Saturday October 30th, at 1:30pm and then again at 3pm, The Barefoot Storyteller (& company) will be sharing "Tales of Mystery and Magic" during Twice Loved Boutique's First Annual Fall Festival in Belfast!

See you then!

Mad Hatter Tea Party!

2010-09-08T00:21:00.000-04:00

Come and join us for an evening of fun and refreshments as we collect hats for Maine children undergoing cancer treatment. Silly costumes are encouraged. There will be some prizes for those with the "Maddest" Costumes!

Admission: NEW UNUSED* hat to be donated to the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Hats for all ages are needed from Toddler to Teenager. All types of hats may be donated, from baseball hats to silly caps! Monetary donations will also be accepted in lieu of a hat.

*Hat donations must be BRAND-NEW due to the low immune systems of the children receiving hats.

Mt. View High School Cafeteria

577 Mt. View Rd

Thorndike, ME

Wednesday, October 6th · 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Common Ground Fair

2010-08-18T17:30:00.000-04:00

The Barefoot Storyteller will be performing on the Sunflower Stage in the children's area, Friday September 24th at 1pm. Come see me! :)

Free books for kids!

2010-07-22T15:59:00.003-04:00

The "Summer Shipment" of books from First Book has begun to arrive! I am so excited to be in the middle of taking delivery of more than *6,000* books (I'll give an acurate count when I'm done) to distribute for FREE to children ages pre-K to 10th grade across Waldo County. These books, made available by a grant through First Book are coming in case after case and I may still be sorting them in September! I will be delivering them to school districts, community centers, and home schoolers. Keep posted for more updates!

Maine Artisan Bread Fair

2010-07-10T07:58:00.000-04:00

The Barefoot Storyteller will be at the Maine Artisan Bread Fair in Skowhegan, July 31st, with a small variety of books for sale... and 20% of all sales will be going to the Maine Farmland Trust! Come see me!

Upcoming event

2010-06-18T10:10:00.000-04:00

The Barefoot Storyteller will be at the Skowhegan Nursery School, on July 27th from 9am - 11am as part of "Community Connections" camp week July 26th - 30th. Join people from the neighborhood to share gymnastics, dance, storytelling, arts & crafts, and music & movement; this camp week will end with a field trip to the L.C. Bates Museum where we will explore parts of our Native Maine and wrap up with a picnic.

This is a unique day camp opportunity for preschool children in the Skowhegan area. These 3, one-week day camps will provide an opportunity for children ages 3 to 5 years old to experience some summer-time fun. Program days run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at $55 per week which includes a daily snack and a field trip relating to the camp week theme. Register early; space is limited!

"Guardians" opens June 5th

2010-05-29T16:35:00.004-04:00

Please join me for this amazing art opening on June 4th. The subject matter close enough to my heart, I am further elated that a number of Kelly Desrosier's elementary school students' works are to be part of the show. Any one who knows me is aware of the extensive advocating I do for arts in schools...Kelly is one of the amazing examples of how a good arts program, and moreover an involved art teacher, is such an importaint part of educating and enriching the lives of youth.

Excerpted from the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce News:

Friday evening June 4th (5-8pm), Maine Farmland Trust Gallery is welcoming the public to join the celebratory opening of a new group exhibit titled Guardians, featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, collagraph prints and multimedia books. Seven Maine artists from Portland to Eastport are participating in this show, as well as 13 students and their art teacher from the Mount View Elementary school in Thorndike.

The dictionary defines "guardian" as a keeper - a person who guards, protects or preserves.

"Guardians aims to create a visual statement about the real and imagined keepers of our land," says Anna Abaldo, Gallery Coordinator for Maine Farmland Trust. "It's been very exciting reigning in the different artists for this show, and picking the particular artworks to create a poetic suggestion about "guardians" of the land - the art in this exhibit represents both mythical, archetypal figures from folklore and our collective imagination, and every day farmers as being those incarnated "guardians" in this lifetime. Guardians is really an attempt to honor our farmers, the immensely important work they do which often goes unseen or gets taken for granted, and the intimate way they are connected to their land and the animals they care for."

Learning to be guardians are the students from Mount View Elementary. Under the wing of their art teacher Kelly Desrosiers, the students researched the interplay of sun, soil, water, air, plants and animals and created multimedia Earthbooks reflecting what they learned. Thirteen of these books will be on display as part of the exhibit at Maine Farmland Trust Gallery, as well as a digital video documenting this inspiring interdisciplinary project. Desrosiers firmly believes in teaching the joyful process of creation as a way of observing and understanding the magnificent natural world. She sees an analogy between the generative process of art and that of nature itself. She comments: "We are growing a new crop of stewards in our children, who will create our future, hopefully with deep appreciation for nature and their own role as co-creators."

Maine Farmland Trust Gallery is open weekdays from 9-4, and during July and August for Belfast Art Walks, Friday evenings from 5-8pm. The gallery is located in the front office of Maine Farmland Trust, 97 Main Street, Belfast.

Maine Farmland Trust is a statewide non-profit organization working to permanently preserve and protect Maine's agricultural lands, and to keep Maine's farms farming. Maine Farmland Trust created its gallery to celebrate agriculture through art, and to inspire and inform visitors regarding the vibrancy of farming in Maine.

For more information about Maine Farmland Trust and current events and programs, please visit www.mainefarmlandtrust.org, or call 338.6575.

Scot Cannon

2010-04-09T06:17:00.006-04:00

Up before the rest of the house, herbal tea not yet fully steeped, I wanted to take a few moments to pass along a web-site I encourage everyone to visit (then I'll get back to trying to draft a grant letter of intent to submit to the Jim Henson Foundation for a childrens' program I'd like to do with the Friends of Unity Wetlands )

When you visit the site, I'd like you to especially look at the Songwriting Residency. I can never say it enough, please support the arts in schools. Okay, so here it is: Scot Cannon Music

You'll find this elsewhere there, but I wanted to mention it here as well, that Scot will be performing at the Belfast (Maine) Farmers Market on July 23rd, along with what I have read will be marvelous juggling by Morty Hanson... I plan to be stopping by, and hope you do too.

Scot's music link was listed on another web-site I have visited *several* times in the last six months...innocently listed on the left hand side, and I never clicked on it before. Sad. This other site is ScotCannon.com which everyone should also check out. It was one of his performances (Open the Door) that I saw at the Maine Arts Conference last October, which I then had been trying to schedule for the students at Mt. View Elementary School to see. And just this past Wednesday it happened. I should "blog" about that sometime too.

Etsy Shop

2010-03-29T18:14:00.000-04:00

Added some items to my storyteller etsy shop today...

Roots

2010-03-26T23:46:00.006-04:00

Everyone who knows me, knows I wear many hats...literally and metaphorically. It has happened before that I have arrived at a venue wearing the wrong "hat" so to speak. Rest assured though that I have never shown up while a woman was in labor thinking that I was there to do anything that didn't have to do with the birth of her child into the family.

It's mostly usually a retail faux pax. Having set up a display of childrens' books and crafts to find the organizers were thinking I was bringing my natural products. Or having brought handcrafts to places that were expecting music cds and instruments.

For a while I tried to separate everything, and regularly carried at least three different business cards with me, more often four. Then I realized that no matter how many hats I had, I really was indeed just one person, so I had business cards made up that pretty much listed what I offered professionally/retail-wise... more than twenty headings.

So it was just recently, that I was set up behind a display of books, and costume props, small toys, and a stack of cards advertising storytelling workshops that I give, when out of a hundred or more passers-by, two people struck a chord in me...looking for me to be wearing a different hat.

One was looking for those natural handmade products of mine...from my garden grown herbs, and local wool. The other had this magnificently brilliant idea about a children's circus...that reminded me the kinds of things I used to do in my "traveling" days before I became a *professional* storyteller. Both of these people made me wonder what I was doing sitting inside on a beautiful Spring day. I felt encouraged, understood, revitalized. I am hoping to keep that feeling going.

It reminded me of a project I began a few years ago, from a dream I first had a few decades ago.. that I seemingly abandoned. Maybe it's time to give it another look. I haven't updated the web-site in a couple of years, but you are welcome to please visit Mother Moon Music

I've also been one to talk at length upon the adage of there being a differenace between making a life and making a living...maybe I need to listen to myself a little more.

New Barefoot Books Podcasts

2010-03-24T02:56:00.002-04:00

Good Life Fest

2010-03-20T10:03:00.004-04:00

The Barefoot Storyteller (and Mothers Moon) will be appearing at The Good Life Fest in Belfast on May 8th. The fest is "a celebration of healthy green living" and will showcase over 40 exhibitors and vendors bringing their food, wares, and services to the Belfast Armory on Route 1 Belfast. This event celebrates the best of the good life - local foods, good health, and the green home - for an exciting day of samples, workshops, demos, music, and shopping. 10am - 5pm Admission is $5 per person with no cost for children 12 and under. Hope to see you there!

Music in Our Schools

2010-03-11T16:03:00.009-05:00

This afternoon my son was part of "The World's Largest Concert", a project of the National Association of Music Education's Music in Our Schools Month.... if you missed it, you can view videos on-line order a DVD, find songs and sheet music, and think about getting your school to join in next year

http://www.menc.org/events

/view/miosm-what-is-miosm

Mother of a Craft Fair

2010-03-09T10:31:00.000-05:00

The Barefoot Storyteller, mostly under the guise of Mothers Moon, will be part of A Mother of a Craft Fair being held at Stone Mountain Arts Center on May 9th. Many folks know what a big fan & supporter I am of Carol, and SMAC... I always enjoy my visits and all the performances I've seen, so I'm very excited to be more than just an audience member, even if not actually on stage! (yet?)

This Mother of a Craft Fair will feature some of the best of New England's artisans...lots of great gifts from that special Mom in your life. In addition there will be lots of other fun stuff available to treat Mom like:

* Neighborhood carriage rides with Donna the Wonder Horse
* Tarot card readings
* A Strolling Accordion Player!!!
* Neck and shoulder massages
* Yummy lunch will be served all day from the SMAC kitchen.
* The bar will be open for all kinds of libations.
* The SMAC Box office will be open for tickets, gift certificates and more,

So come for lunch, a glass of wine, a carriage ride in the country, a neck massage and finally.... LET MOM PICK OUT HER OWN GIFT!

Kids' Garden

2010-03-06T01:56:00.000-05:00

Kids' Garden is a new "deck" filled with 40 fun indoor and outdoor activities and games along with an eight page booklet that contains information on gardening tools, year round plant care, and garden safety. Step-by-step directions are enhanced by colorful artwork on each double sided card. I will be using this kit for many of my gardening, planting, and "green" storytelling activities in the coming months! This will include when you see me at the Coastal Maine Bontanical Gardens' Garden Fair on June 18th, 19th, & 20th in Boothbay! Please join me, or buy your own copy on-line

Childrens' Discovery Museum

2010-02-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

The Barefoot Storyteller will be at the Children's Discovery Museum in Augusta on March 5th for a special storytime, 3pm. In celebration of Eric Carle's birthday in March, I will be reading "A House for Hermit Crab" and then asking the children to take part in performing the story as a play! Afterwards there will also be a paper arts craft of decorating your own hermit crab shell, and a visit to the museum's own touch tank to visit the hermit crabs who live there.

Tri-District Health and Wellness Fair

2010-02-09T08:54:00.000-05:00

The Barefoot Storyteller will have a booth at the Tri-District Health and Wellness Fair to be held March 26th at the Mt. View High School in Thorndike. At my booth you can purchase a small selection of Barefoot Books, a variety of my handmade storytelling props such as silly hats, puppets, and merry makers...ask me about my storytelling, and learn more about how reading and the arts in schools bring wellness to the kids, families, teachers and whole communities!

The StoryBox Project

2010-01-02T04:47:00.000-05:00

From http://www.storyboxproject.com

Are You:

A student whose teacher told you that you should publish that story.

A writer who is looking for new audiences for your work.

A storyteller who knows the value of sharing stories.

A parent who wants to let people know about your favorite aunt or uncle

A social activist who wants to share a narrative about change

A dreamer who just wants to tell us about the worlds you create

A person who is proud of their country’s tradition and wants others in the world to know about it:

Then:

Share your stories by sending them to us so that we can place them in the international/national Story Boxes. These Story Boxes are shared with new audiences in places in and around the world. Hundreds and thousands of people will read them. A teacher may use the story to help their classroom. A storyteller may perform your story to a group of kids. We have had people published as a result of reading their story in the Story Box. A community organizer may share their story to help others value their community. A child may create their own world based on your imagination. We guarantee the story will travel and with each new place, new readers will discover your story.

The Story Box is designed to help share the global world of stories. The narrative either we make up or we live is worth sharing with others. No story is edited. We do ask that you mark it for kids /adults or both. It is simply placed in the Story Box. However, when you fill out the story form,(see below) people are encouraged to let you know where the story travels and what they did with it. Don’t be surprised to hear from others around the world about your story. Kids write the authors. Other writers share ideas. Your writing is part of the Global sharing experiences.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T17:01:00.009-05:00

I'm looking forward to more storytelling, music making, art creating, imagination stirring... performances, workshops...and sharing more whimiscal costumes and toys with everyone in 2010! Happy New Year!

Enter the "Spooky Birds" Contest!

2009-09-12T14:10:00.000-04:00

This is the latest environmental challenge from the Cornell Lab of

Ornithology’s Celebrate Urban Birds citizen-science project in

conjunction with the Encyclopedia of Life website. They call this

contest "A Murder of Crows and Other Spooky Bird Tales."

A large group of crows is called a "murder," but there’s nothing

really scary about it. Crows are very intelligent and family-oriented.

Sometimes birds do things that seem

pretty spooky and strange, so for this

challenge, they want you to take

photos, do a painting, write a story or

poem, even shoot a video showing

crows, starlings, an owl, or any bird

doing something puzzling or strange

to you. Then they can reveal what the

behaviors are really all about. Often a

perfectly natural, non-scary explanation!

There's a PDF flier about the challenge you can print for yourself or

pass along to others who might want to participate.

As always, they have some great prizes, including binoculars

from Eagle Optics and Alpen, birdfeeders from YourBirdOasis.com,

CDs, books, posters, and more. The first 50 entrants will receive

a poster by Pedro Fernandez showing various behaviors of crows,

jays, and other birds. They'll post selected images and videos on the

Celebrate Urban Birds website. The very best will be included in

species account on the website for the Encyclopedia of Life!

How do you enter?

Email your entry to urbanbirds@cornell.edu.

1. Write "AMOC_YourFirstNameLastName_state" in the

subject line. (Use the two-letter abbreviation for the state in which

the photo was taken.)

2. Include your name and mailing address in the body of the email.

3. Tell them why you submitted your entry to the challenge.

What's the story behind it?

4. If you are submitting a visual image, attach it as a .jpg.

5. One image per entry, please

6. Read terms of agreement.

7. If you agree to the terms, send in your entry before October 31st!

Visit the Celebrate Urban Birds website for more information.

Unpcoming RIF events

2009-09-01T11:31:00.000-04:00

The Barefoot Storyteller is proud to be part of two wonderful events coming this October.

RIF, in partnership with Readers Digest, presents October 3rd as Make It Matter Day, a national volunteer day of reading, writting and learning. Visit The Barefoot Storyteller for an upcoming schedule of my events related to the day.

On October 8th, readers around the world will attempt to break the world record for the largest shared reading experiance in history. Children and adults will read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Visit Read For the Record for more information, and visit The Barefoot Storyteller for an upcoming schedule of my events related to the day.

RIF turns 43!

2009-09-01T11:22:00.000-04:00

On November 3rd, 2009 RIF turns 43! Come celebrate with The Barefoot Storyteller! Please visit The Barefoot Storyteller's main site and see the Reading and Book Exchanges page, under the "New Books for Free" heading to learn more about The Barefoot Storyteller's free books program.

Autumn Newsletter

2009-08-23T09:37:00.004-04:00

Autumn 2009: Oh what fun we're going to have!

*For the younger set, I have been having tons of fun with Bear in a Square in French/English and Spanish/English as well! One of my favorite young children's Barefoot Books to read, from one of my favorite young children's picture book "series" was recently published in a bilingual French/English translation edition, as well as in Spanish/English, so look for them at The Inside Out Playground Storytimes this autumn.

*I'm excited to be using the new "Kids' Kitchen: 40 Fun and Healthy Recipes to Make and Share" in my kids cooking classes. The forty recipes in this colorful deck are based around the five main food groups, and offer a healthy and exciting way to learn about cooking.

*New Read to Feed titles are The Chicken and the Worm for Pre-K & kindergarten audiances, and Winter in Songming for 3rd & 4th grades.

*African Tales is new from Barefoot Books, with eight stories in this collection, each from a different African country, feature educational facts and information about the cultures from which they are chosen. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Books for Africa, an organization that collects, ships and distributes books to children across the African continent.

*Another recent Barefoot Books release, Lin Yi's Lantern is a wonderful story I enjoy sharing, along with a lantern making project. The Chinese Moon Festival will fall on October 3rd this year, so be sure to check my schedule around that time to see where I'll be reading it. Here's more about the book: Lin Yi faces a moral dilemma, and learns that doing the right thing for its own sake is the best course of action, and that luck may shine on those who act morally. Lin Yi is given money to buy items at the market for the Moon Festival. If he bargains well, he can purchase a red rabbit lantern for himself. But he must purchase everything on his mother's list first! This heart-warming story will resonate with both children and adults, as they learn about the wonderful Chinese Moon Festival and the rewards that come from putting others first. Set in China, this story offers an opportunity to learn about Chinese customs through the accessible story of a young boy who has his heart set on buying a lantern for the festival. This book includes informative notes about life in rural China and the Moon Festival.

*Like every other September, we will look forward to an incredible Roald Dahl Day, as well as the performances of Puppets for Peace.

*October will certainly be Where the Wild Things Are as we celebrate Maurice Sendak's wonderful book (and others he wrote and/or illustrated) the whole month long...including a field trip to see the movie on October 16th! Contact me for information on how you can be part of The Barefoot Storyteller's group.

*Late October/Early November: Field Trip to Boston Museum of Science to see Harry Potter Exhibit in the works! Contact me for information on how you can be part of The Barefoot Storyteller's group.

*November 10th - 14th: National Young Readers Week

Wild Things Sale!

2009-08-20T10:07:00.000-04:00

Where the Wild Things Are product sale!!! Limited quanties of each, email for availablity, shipping fees, and other ordering information!!

Where The Wild Things Are: Hardcover Book, 25th Anniversary Special Edition $12

Where The Wild Things Are First Puzzle: Little ones love Max and his WildThings friends from Maurice Sendak's best-loved book. Four color codedpieces per puzzle, each puxzzle approximately 6 x 8", packed in acolorful box with a handle. For ages 2+. Printed with nontoxic inks. $7

Where The Wild Things Are Block Puzzle: Turn the blocks to form sixdifferent scenes from Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are classicbook. Nine 2-inch cubes to use as building blocks or form puzzlepictures, sturdy box with sliding drawer. For ages 3+. Printed withnontoxic inks $10

Where The Wild Things Are Floor Puzzle: Puzzle greyboard contains 90%recycled paper. Packaging contains 70% recycled paper. Printed withnon-toxic, soy-based inks. $12

Where The Wild Things Are Cube Puzzle: 4-1/4" cube box, rope handle,measures 16 x 16 inches, for ages 3+. Puzzle greyboard made of 100%recycled paper. Packaging contains a minumum of 75% recycled paper.Printed with non-toxic inks. $8

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-08-16T16:09:00.007-04:00

A favorite chilkdhood story comes to life on the big screen, October 16th 2009! In celebration, please join The Barefoot Storyteller for special readings of Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are", and related activities all throughout the month of October. Also, you may contact me for information about being part of the group I am planning take to see the movie!

TheBarefootStoryteller@Barefoot-Storyteller.com

View the movie trailor here

Bear in a Square...in French/English

2009-07-08T00:15:00.008-04:00

And Spanish/English as well! One of my favorite young children's Barefoot Books to read, from one of my favorite young children's picture book "series" is now available in a French/English translation edition, as well as in Spanish/English. It's Bear in a Square! Both books, along with other titles in the "Bear" family, in just English or just Spanish, can currently be purchased up my Barefoot Books Web-site.

Another book from the series Bear in Sunshine will also soon be released in both editions in the very near future.

New Blog

2009-06-24T09:53:00.004-04:00

I'm adding a new blog to my "blog family"...as we get ready to launch a new beautiful Barefoot Books web-site you'll find my Barefoot Books news at:

BarefootBooksStoryteller.blogspot.com

This is to go along with the launch of the new Barefoot Books Web-site, which I hope you will visit as well!

TheBarefootStoryteller.BarefootBooks.com

Earth Day Barefoot

2009-03-27T22:05:00.008-04:00

Go Green with some of our earth friendly stories printed on earth-friendly paper with soy inks, Be Green with every copy of The Barefoot Book of Earth Stories sold in April Eco Libris will plant a tree, Save Green with the free shipping offer coming up April 28th through May 10th.

www.BarefootBooksStoryteller.com

D.E.A.R.

2009-03-02T22:38:00.005-05:00

National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority. D.E.A.R. stands for "Drop Everything and Read" and April 12th, the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary is the official event date. Ramona Quimby, the program’s official spokesperson, is responsible for spreading the word and the love of reading. The Barefoot Storyteller will be participating of course...stay tuned for updates!

Read Across America

2009-03-02T22:32:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-24T02:22:00.010-05:00

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

2009-01-09T02:56:00.005-05:00

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.

---
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

2008-11-29T13:06:00.014-05:00

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

2008-11-28T09:07:00.005-05:00

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

2008-10-22T02:37:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-11T04:10:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-28T02:33:00.004-04:00

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

2008-09-22T10:28:00.000-04:00

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

2008-09-11T02:15:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-30T19:28:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-30T17:18:00.000-04:00

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

2008-08-07T03:08:00.000-04:00

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

2008-04-10T23:27:00.000-04:00

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

2008-04-10T12:55:00.000-04:00

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

2008-04-07T10:30:00.000-04:00

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

2008-03-31T09:33:00.000-04:00

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

2008-03-21T02:18:00.000-04:00

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! :)

Raising Readers

2008-02-29T12:50:00.000-05:00

Through my doula practice, I am very proud to be part of the raising readers program. When a mother chooses me as her doula, I get to present her with a beautiful canvas tote with a selection of books, a growth chart, and information about the raising readers program. And, if I am lucky, I have the chance to read a little something from them to the new child or older siblings!

The raising readers program promotes reading aloud to children in Maine ages birth to 5 years, by providing beautiful new books to give to children. For newborns, raising readers has canvas totes with books available through Maine hospitals who provide birthing services, birth centers, midwives who attend home and birth center births, and adoption agencies. raising readers is a community partnership and works with other child health and community literacy initiatives, with a statewide advisory committee to help coordinate these activities, a collaboration of Maine's two largest health care delivery systems, MaineHealth and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, and is generously funded by the Libra Foundation.

February

2008-02-15T12:04:00.001-05:00

As a storyteller, being around kids, I need to be a roll model too. Most of the time this means teaching through parables and fables. It means teaching politeness as they must sit quietly through certain portions of the program, self-esteem as they are asked to be involved. February is National Dental Health month...and dental health is very importaint!

In March, Barefoot Books releases "Emily's Tiger" from which I have borrowed the above illustration. "Emily's Tiger" is now available as a pre-order on my Barefoot Books web-site. The books was written and illustrated by Miriam Latimer : 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 be the assistant to the clown at a birthday party… what are her mom and dad going to do with their tiger-daughter? Then Grandma comes to stay — and she knows a thing or two about tigers and tempers!

There are many other new books coming for Spring, such as:

Bear at Work Written by Stella Blackstone, Illustrated by Debbie Harter : In the newest addition to the best-selling Bear series, we find Bear hard at work as a postman. Follow Bear as he delivers letters, parcels and packages all over town, meeting other bears, all busy working at their different jobs.

Playtime Rhymes for Little People Compiled and illustrated by Clare Beaton : Award-winning artist Clare Beaton presents this exquisite, hand-sewn anthology from her treasure trove of fabrics and bric-a-brac. We’ve paired it with a collection of forty popular action rhymes includes favorites such as “I’m a Little Teapot” and “The Wheels On The Bus,” as well as less familiar ditties such as “Fishes Swim in Water Clear” and “My Ship Sailed From China.”

The Sounds Around Town Written and Illustrated by Maria Carluccio : What do you hear when you walk outside? This story follows a baby through his day in the city, focusing on the many sounds that he hears. From birdsong in the morning to the hubbub of traffic on the streets and the sounds and smells of the market and café, this simple, interactive picture book will open up your ears!

The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Tale Written by Brenda Williams, Illustrated by Sophie Fatus : A classic with a twist, this number-crunching take on “The Princess and the Pea” features not just one princess, but three, not to mention four horses, five dogs, six grooms, seven gardeners, and all kinds of chances for young mathematicians to put their adding and subtracting to the test!

The Beeman Written by Laurie Krebs, Illustrated by Valeria Cis : Told from the viewpoint of a child whose Grandpa is a beekeeper, this rhyming text offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the behavior of bees, including: where they live, how honey is made, and what a beekeeper does.

and more! All available now for pre-order. These are also the last days of the Annual Winter Sale at Barefoot Books (until February 18th) so drop by my web-site to do some shopping...and don't forget to brush those teeth!!!

Chance to win books

2008-01-21T10:13:00.000-05:00

Are you interested in winning a great birthday or Valentine's Day present for a special child in your life? How wonderful an opportunity… through Dr. Moz who has provided such wonderful information to countless parents and caregivers, and The Gifted Grasshopper who offers the incredible gift of reading to our children!!! Just visit Dear Dr. MOZ for a chance to win a Bag Bursting with Books! Simply leave a comment on his blog and you will automatically be enterred to win. Contest ends on Friday, January 25th at 5:00 pm (PST).

http://www.deardrmoz.com

Support Maine Music

2008-01-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

Did you hear that the Prairie Home Companion will be in Bangor, Maine in May??? Often the show will feature an artist from the state they are going to, and I'd love to see our own Carol Noonan be a part of this! Isn't she, after all, following in Mr. Keillor's footsteps a bit with her Stone Mountain LIVE variety show?

You can read a bit more about Carol and follow the link to her site by visiting here: http://www.freewebs.com/mothermoonmusic/stonemountainarts.htm and then, please let the folks at Prairie Home Companion you'd like to see Carol at their show in Bangor later this Spring. Email them at: phc@mpr.org

Dawnella

The Other Barefoot Storyteller

2008-01-08T13:40:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned while "blogging" here yesterday, there is another Barefoot Storyteller with a web-site similar to mine. So if you are in England, you can visit another "Barefoot Storyteller" there too... Sheila Stansfield is also a representative of Barefoot Books and uses thier stories in her storytelling as well. You can visit her site at http://www.thebarefootstoryteller.co.uk/

(and when you do, tell her I sent you!)

An Unlikely Venue?

2008-01-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

I have been (and had been) storytelling for longer than I breastfed my son and always applied a common phrase, a declaration, to both forms of nurturing young souls.... "Any time, any place!" ... and yet, I'm considering a regular story time (and doing Barefoot Book sales) somewhere I never really thought that I would.... at a car wash.

Car wash? You never know.

Check back in the weeks to come for times, dates, and location. You can bring your kids, wash your car, hear a story, buy a book-puzzle-puppet-or music cd...and yes, of course, breastfeed your child.

Peace!

Dawnella - The Barefoot Storyteller

Cleaning up web-sites

2008-01-07T14:23:00.001-05:00

Well I've been busy shortening my web addresses. Is that importatint? Does it save you time or make it easier to shop? Does it simply "look better"?

My Barefoot Storyteller web-site was http://www.freewebs.com/barefootstoryteller and that seemed too long, so I switched to http://www.barefootstoryteller.webs.com/ (saved three key strokes!) Still didn't seem right, so I visited a domain purchasing site, and I "bought"

http://www.barefoot-storyteller.com/ which is simple, and to the point. (but if you forget the dash, you'll be directed to another Barefoot Storyteller in England...maybe I should ask her to put a note somewhere pointing folks to me if they get lost, and I the same for her)

Cool? Uncool? What do you think? Does the length of a web addy really matter?

Barefoot Books Annual Winter Sale!!

2008-01-03T11:34:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder that the Barefoot Books Annual Winter Sale is going on now through February 18th...with savings of up to 70% on select titles!!

http://www.barefootbooksstoryteller.com

The Barefoot Storyteller at The Inside Out Playground

2007-12-16T02:05:00.000-05:00

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

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

2007-12-12T21:16:00.001-05:00

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/

Winter Reading from Barefoot Books

2007-12-11T10:27:00.001-05:00

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)

fund-raising event re-scheduled

2007-12-05T03:44:00.000-05:00

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" .

Power of Art

2007-12-01T23:36:00.001-05:00

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.

Event reminder:

2007-11-19T16:19:00.000-05:00

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/