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Why
are we rushing around so much that we hardly stop to appreciate
our wonderful lives? One way of deliberately slowing down is to
sit down with a good book. If the family can sit down together
with a parent or older sibling reading aloud, so much the
better.
Some
of the family
classics are ideally suited for reading aloud. Collections
of short stories also work very well.
News
worth sharing!
We're
very happy to announce that during August we'll be adding some
Naxos Audio Books and Putumayo world music CDs to the
Leatherwood Books site. You're
in for a treat! More about that in the next newsletter.
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Introducing
you to Barefoot Books
Something
one does not normally consider when choosing children's books is
whether they will become collectible. We mostly pick books for
immediate pleasure. In Miller's Collecting Modern Books by
Catherine Porter, Barefoot Books is
noted as the modern children's publisher whose books will most
likely become collectible. The
Barefoot Book of Classic Poems, would have to be a prize
candidate!
The
Barefoot Book of Classic Poems (hardback) is one of the
best-selling titles in our catalogue and just one look at the
index and artwork should convince anyone who is in the market for
an anthology of poetry. The selection is spot on and the artwork
by the brilliant Jackie Morris brings the poems to life. Poems
range from old classics to newer gems - all tried and tested, and
all beautifully suited for reading aloud. This anthology is a
delight and would make a lovely present even for poetry-loving
adults.
The
Barefoot Book of Earth Tales (hardback) has to be another.
This collection of tales from all around the world centres around
nature and, once again, the illustrations are just lovely. This
will work very well for combining society and environment and
English studies for a range of age groups.
A
similar book, covering various cultures and regions, is A Calendar of
Festivals - Celebrations from around the World. This sturdy
paperback introduces children to the customs and religions of
eight cultures. A key festival is discussed in a one page
introduction and is then followed by a story relating to that
festival.
Both
The
Barefoot Book of Earth Tales and A Calendar of Festivals are
ideal for reading aloud to those aged 5 and older or for those
aged 10 and older to read by themselves.
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Barefoot
Books publish the most beautiful books imaginable. But there is
more to their books than to many other children's books. The
Barefoot Books teach about other cultures in the most engaging
way. Instead of ramming facts in, stories tell tales of far away
lands while exquisite, vibrant illustrations support the
stories. Then, as a further reinforcement, many of the story
books include a glossary and notes on the subject.
The
publisher's mission statement includes the following:
Thoughtfully
prepared by writers, artists and storytellers from all over
the world, our products combine the best of the present with
the best of the past to educate our children as caretakers of
tomorrow.
What
more can a parent want from a publisher?
My
Granny Went to Market is a colourful counting rhyme in which
Granny counts from one to ten as she spins around the world on
the shopping trip of a lifetime. A counting page is included to
reinforce learning. Just right for four to seven year
olds.
Another
colourful counting experience but for those a couple of years
older, is We
All Went on Safari. On a counting journey
through Tanzania, readers will learn to count in Swahili, while
finding out more about the country, its people and animals.
In
Catch that Goat! Ayoka loses the family goat and has to find it
on market day in Nigeria. Not an easy task, but the reader will
learn to count to ten and help find Ayoka's goat. End notes
about life in Nigeria adds to the charm of this African
tale.
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Websites
of the Month
The
first issue of Free Range, the new free eMag for homeschoolers
(ages 9-17) is available to read online: www.freerangemag.com/emags.htm.
We are pleased to declare a link with Free Range - Lila is one
of the editors! Have a look at the stories, poems, riddles and
puzzles in the first issue. The editors are looking for some
more contributors and what better way to use those creative
writing exercises? Contributors will remain anonymous unless
they ask to be identified.
Our
second website of the month is another one to bookmark. Brush up on
what could be life-saving details with this free
online first
aid course from St John's Ambulance. The 30 minute course is
also suitable for older children and participants can print out
a certificate on completion.
Contact
us
Please
let us know if you have any ideas for books to add to the
site. Remember we can also supply books that are not on
the site and enjoy chasing down books for customers.
Happy reading!
Elsa, Peter, Seb & Lila
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