Kerry Goff, Community Bookseller
Kerry Goff
Community Bookseller Since 06-26-2015
Boulder, Colorado
US
Kerry's Barefoot Story
As an English professor, a yoga teacher, and a mother of four children, I have daily struggles with my children and the modern issues of TV and iPads versus REAL books. Barefoot Books are so well constructed and use color so effectively that they are a great lure away from the technological distractions my children face.
I suppose I am partially biased because I am always the adult reading Shel Silverstein poems and hunting for the newest Caldecott book in the bookstore. I was so fascinated with children's books that I helped build a soild Children's Literature program at the University of Memphis; those courses were some of the most fulfilling classes I have ever taught.
I first received a Barefoot Cleo board book from a friend for my one year-old and we both loved it. At the time I did not pay too much attention to the publisher--I just loved the artistry, colors. and intelligence behind it.
When I moved to Boulder, CO, for a new job, I was working 60 hours a week, was exhausted all of the time, didn't know anyone in the area, and did not feel like a part of the larger community. Outside of school, neither did my children. Then I ran into the same Cleo book on another Ambassador's Facebook page and I finally put the two together. I became a Barefoot Books Ambassador to, quite frankly, change the direction of my life. Why would I do anything else than what I love the most (books and children)? I also found this opportunity as a way to get to know more mothers in the area and I wanted my children to get more involved with other kids in the community. What better way to do this than with books, play time, and the occasional sangria?
Yes, the parties and get togethers provide inventory, but even more so, they offer new ways for parents to actively be involved and play with their children. I don't know about you, but sometimes it is pretty clear that my children think I am REALLY boring. I have increased my cool factor considerably since I have become more involved with Barefoot and the opportunities it has given me to share parenthood with other parents and spend more time with my children.
I suppose I am partially biased because I am always the adult reading Shel Silverstein poems and hunting for the newest Caldecott book in the bookstore. I was so fascinated with children's books that I helped build a soild Children's Literature program at the University of Memphis; those courses were some of the most fulfilling classes I have ever taught.
I first received a Barefoot Cleo board book from a friend for my one year-old and we both loved it. At the time I did not pay too much attention to the publisher--I just loved the artistry, colors. and intelligence behind it.
When I moved to Boulder, CO, for a new job, I was working 60 hours a week, was exhausted all of the time, didn't know anyone in the area, and did not feel like a part of the larger community. Outside of school, neither did my children. Then I ran into the same Cleo book on another Ambassador's Facebook page and I finally put the two together. I became a Barefoot Books Ambassador to, quite frankly, change the direction of my life. Why would I do anything else than what I love the most (books and children)? I also found this opportunity as a way to get to know more mothers in the area and I wanted my children to get more involved with other kids in the community. What better way to do this than with books, play time, and the occasional sangria?
Yes, the parties and get togethers provide inventory, but even more so, they offer new ways for parents to actively be involved and play with their children. I don't know about you, but sometimes it is pretty clear that my children think I am REALLY boring. I have increased my cool factor considerably since I have become more involved with Barefoot and the opportunities it has given me to share parenthood with other parents and spend more time with my children.
