I am thrilled to announce that I am a Barefoot Books community reseller! I have always loved Barefoot Books and I am excited to share my favorite books with you today. I am also giving away a pair of new Barefoot Books, Zahra’s Blessing, and Nour’s Secret Library.
To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom. What are your favorite Barefoot Books? Thanks for sharing!
20+ Favorite Barefoot Books
I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis, illustrated by Alison Jay
This is such a lovely read-aloud! It’s written in lyrical rhymes that sail off your tongue and take the reader on a magical walk with the moon. It’s as if this was an enchanting dream, the kind that you wake up to and want to tell everyone about. The back matter adds another layer of interesting facts about the phases of the moon and nocturnal animals. Night owls will enjoy this bedtime story! [picture book, ages 1 and up]
Whole Whale by Karen Yin, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff
In rollicking rhyme, this picture book is an animal party with an aim to fit everyone on the page, including a whole blue whale. Will the whale fit? The whale is quite big. You will have to read the book to find out! As a bonus, readers will enjoy counting to 100 with all the animals on the page. This is such a fun way to teach numeracy! [picture book, ages 3]
Jet the Cat (is not a cat) by Phaea Crede, illustrated by Terry Runyan
Jet the Cat is not a cat because Jet the Cat does non-cat-like things such as swimming, singing, flying, and prancing. But Jet the Cat is ok with being non-cat-like. And, as it turns out, so do all of Jet the Cat’s friends. This is a wonderfully fun story about being true to yourself with the message that you can be anything you want to be. I love how Jet the Cat is nonplussed at any suggestions that try to define who Jet the Cat is. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Dumpling Day by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Inés de Antuñano
This is my kind of story! Dumplings from around the world combined with counting 1 to 10! It’s a dumpling party potluck dinner and everyone in the neighborhood is busy making dumplings to share. There are so many delicious kinds to try! Dumplings are both universal and delicious! Recipes for all the dumplings featured are in the back matter. I hope they inspire you to get your neighbors cooking for a block party of your own! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Run, Little Chaski!: an Inka trail adventure by Mariana Llanos, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson
I learned so much about the ancient Inka civilization in this story about kindness! Little Chaski is a fleet-footed messager sent on his first journey to deliver a message to the king. He stops several times along the way to help animals in need and, in the end, they help him in return. The vibrant illustrations add an element of whimsy to this adventure. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa
Explore the colors of the rainbow on this trip to the market in India. A little girl searches for the perfect gift for her Amma (grandmother). What I really love about this story is how it explores color descriptions tied to the sounds, smells, and tastes of India. Vermillion red! Saffron orange! Turmeric yellow! This is a story for all the senses! The story bursts with joyous colors in this multigenerational story. The back matter delves deeper into the Indian culture and the markets of the world. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Zahra’s Blessing: A Ramadan Story by Shirin Shamsi, illustrated by Manal Mirza
Ramadan is a time of fasting but also of giving back to those less fortunate. Zahra’s Blessing is also a foster care story. Zahra loses her beloved teddy bear and her loss helps her empathize with others at the shelter who have lost more. She wishes for a sister and her wish is granted in an unexpected way. This is a particularly timely story in this current time of recent wars across the world displacing people fleeing from violence and the destruction of their homes. This picture book reminds us to open our hearts and homes to others in need. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Dinner on Domingos by Alexandra Katona, illustrated by Claudia Navarro
Food always leads us home. La comida siempre nos lleva a casa.
Alejandra looks forward to Sunday, Domingo when she has dinner with her extended family at Abuelita’s house. It’s the best day of the week. Not only is the food delicious, but she also gets to explore her Ecuadorian culture. Her grandmother’s house is full, not just of people, but also of food, love, and good memories. Learn more about Ecuador and its culture in the back matter. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Lola’s Fandango by Anna Witte, illustrated by Micha Archer
Lola discovers a pair of dancing shoes in Mami’s closet and convinces her Papi to teach her to dance Flamenco. They practice secretly because Mami doesn’t seem to want to be reminded of her dancing days. Together they also cook up a very special surprise for Mami’s birthday. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Carnival!: A Celebration of Saint Lucia by Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Jana Glatt
It’s carnival day in Saint Lucia and Melba is anxious to get to town to watch the festival parade. She missed her early morning ride, so she’s going to take the bus. Along the way, Melba helps other people she sees who also want to go to town. Will they make it in time? Will it even matter? Melba and her friends have created their own carnival parade! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Rooftop Garden by Danna Smith, illustrated by Pati Aguilera, sung by Holly Turton
Sing along with this original song which is also a picture book about a community garden on a rooftop! This is also a fun way for kids to learn about the six stages of plant growth! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa’ Tarnowska, illustrated by Vali Mintzi
In the midst of the horror of war, there is hope in the creation of a secret library. This is based on a true story in Syria, but the author, Wafa’ Tarnowska, also experienced bombings in her homeland of Lebanon. Nour and her cousin Amir create a secret library during this dangerous time and it shines a light on everyone who shelters in it. The back matter gives more details about Syria, the real secret library, and libraries in the Middle East. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
My Cousin’s Mermaid: A Story from Poland by Anna Staniszewski, illustrated by Ewa Poklewska-Kozietto
Natalia and her mother visit relatives in Poland where she feels out of place because her Polish is rusty. In this city filled with old buildings, it’s easy to imagine stories with castles and mermaids. Natalia clutches her mermaid doll and when she sees her older cousin, she is surprised to learn that not only is there a mermaid in the city, but her cousin Carolina also has a head full of stories. Backmatter gives more details on Polish folktales including the Syrenka Warszawska, the Mermaid of Warsaw. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Stranded!: A Mostly True Story from Iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson and Anne Wilson
Iceland is back in the news with erupting volcanos but this true story took place in 1964. I love the lighthearted and humorous tone of this story about the author’s grandfather, an explorer, scientist, and photographer in Iceland. He, the grandfather, decided to explore a newly formed volcanic island with a friend. When the fisherman who takes them fails to pick them up, they are stranded with very little food on an island with active lava flows. A wishing moment comes, this is a single magical moment in a day where your wish will come true, and you will have to read the book to see what happens but I assure you that it’s a satisfying ending. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
The Girl With A Brave Heart: A Tale from Tehran by
For a multicultural take on Cinderella, this Middle Eastern version sends a message that beauty is truly from within. Shiraz’s father remarries when her mother dies and her life changes to one of constant chores, accompanied by a cruel stepmother and step-sister. One day, when a ball of yarn lands in a neighbor’s yard, Shiraz meets an old woman who requires her to complete three chores in order to get her yarn back. Shiraz reinterprets the chores, from destruction to beautification. In following the old woman’s instructions about washing in the clear and dark pools, she emerges more beautiful than ever. When her step-sister attempts the same routine, she has very different results. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
Let’s Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World by Kate DePalma, illustrated by Martina Peluso
Travel around the world with special days for each month of the year. Kate DePalma’s rhyming text makes it fun to learn about these holidays, but her back matter is really the hidden gem. Each special day is described with interesting details. I thought I knew the Asian holidays but I learned something new about both Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day in Japan) and Spring Festival in China! This picture book feels like a personal invitation inside someone’s home for a party! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Barefoot Book of Children by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma, and David Dean
This beautiful book is a great resource to converse about the lives of kids around the world and discover more similarities than differences! [nonfiction picture book, ages 5 and up]
World Atlas by Nick Crane, illustrated by David Dean
The world is a joy to explore in this colorful atlas that entices with Lift the Flaps facts about each region. Pair this with The Barefoot Book of Children to match the geographic region with the kids in each vignette. It’s like putting a place to a face! [nonfiction geography book, ages 4 and up]
Pair of Barefoot Books GIVEAWAY!
I am also giving away a pair of new Barefoot Books, Zahra’s Blessing, and Nour’s Secret Library. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. I can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.
p.s. Related posts:
Barefoot Books Planet Protector
Visiting Barefoot Books New HQ Office!
Earth Day Giveaways for Kids :: 3 Barefoot Books
Win Barefoot Books for Yourself and Your Library
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My books:
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
There are so many fun, beautiful books here! I’m very intrigued by “Nour’s Secret Library,” and “Rooftop Garden” has such a gorgeous cover!”
I’ve seen Barefoot books on blogs but have never read one. These look and sound wonderful.
Some of my favorites on this list are Run, Little Chaski! and Dumpling Day.
Two books I particularly like are A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA and FIVE LITTLE MERMAIDS
I like Children of the World
I like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
I don’t have a specific favorite, but barefoot books are high quality and I love them.