Since its publication in the spring of 2020, our picture book From My Window has received some serious critical acclaim! It earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was a Junior Library Guild Selection in 2020. This past year, From My Window was nominated for the Cybil Award. Written by Brazilian storyteller and theatrical producer Otávio Júnior, the story offers a first-hand view of what children growing up in the favelas of Río de Janeiro see everyday. We spoke to the illustrator Vanina Starkoff about the inspiration behind her vibrant artwork, which juxtaposes brick buildings with lush jungle plants.

Note: Vanina’s answers have been translated from Spanish. Lee la entrevista en español.

Illustrator Nelleke Verhoeff shares how she thought up and created the wild illustrations for our animal-counting picture book Whole Whale.

Below is an interview with Chad and Dad Richardson, authors of the new picture book Family Reunion, which is illustrated by the award-winning Ashleigh Corrin. Chad is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and a financial analyst who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Dad, otherwise known as Charles, is an Associate Professor of Management and Marketing at Sinclair Community College and lives in Liberty Township, Ohio. Family Reunion is their debut picture book.

We’ve moved!

The Barefoot team is excited to announce that we have moved our office from Cambridge, Massachusetts to the Bradford Mill building in West Concord, Mass. In true Barefoot fashion, we have made the office space our own by transforming the walls with illustrator artwork and — of course — by installing shelves and shelves of books!

As you can see from the video below, our new home celebrates our brand vision and showcases our collection’s vibrant stories from across the globe.

Below is a guest post by picture book author and poet, Sarah Nelson, who wrote the I Like the Weather series. Her stories and poems explore a variety of themes, but Sarah especially loves writing about nature, the little (oh, so real) dramas of childhood and inspiring, lesser-known moments in American history. When Sarah is not writing, she teaches English to adult immigrants.

Gardens provide us with so many wonderful treats!

A thriving garden is often filled with delicious foods, beautiful bright flowers, amazing animals and exciting places to explore. Whether they are small indoor containers or expansive outdoor spaces, gardens are full of mysteries waiting to be solved: Why are bees so important? How do vines climb up poles? Why do some plants need more light and heat than others?