My children have grown up with Barefoot Books. The earliest books AJ had as a baby included “How Big is a Pig” and “There’s a Cow in the Cabbage Patch”. Over the years, we have given the books as birthday presents to their friends and added to their collection too. When my husband received an invite, through work, to their new shop’s open weekend, in Oxford, I knew that we had to go. All of us.
I don’t think the children expected to be greeted by one of the book characters at the front door. TF was very unsure.
Eventually, AJ led the way and feed the Chenoo a turnip. TF followed, while BL relied on her winning smile.
No photos to show you inside, which is a shame as it really does look magical. I wish I could show the bookcases. I know the children would have loved their bedrooms to be the same theme. The colours, shelves, story telling area are just perfect to inspire a child’s creativity. At the front of the shop are the books and connected merchandize. Towards the back is a cafe and storytelling area, which I should imagine will become a well used meeting space for friends. Upstairs, there is a space for workshops and events.
If the events that they have lined up for October are anything to go on: Yoga, drumming, creative drama, story telling with puppets……oh, I wish we lived nearer to Oxford!
The children made lanterns and sat in on a storytelling session, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
And, of course, they each came home with a book to add to their collection.
If you are near Oxford and love children books, then it is well worth popping into the shop. They also have shops in Concord, Massachusetts and New York, if you’re in the US.
We are back from our wonderful trip and … Oh would you look at that!!! A Barefoot books shop… We have to move, you live near a Barefoot Book Shop!!! – How to die for!!!
Glad to hear you are back safely. Can’t wait to hear about it all.
Wish we were closer to Oxford. Fantastic shop. Bit of a trip for us and not near enough to sign up for some of the wonderful regular events that they have got lined up. Never mind. Books and puppets do travel, plus my husband goes up there once a month. (Hint, hint! if he is reading.) I had to limit all the children to one book each and there were oohs and “look at this” from the back of the car, so I know that they are pleased with their choices!
Oh I wish I lived closer to Oxford too! Looks an amazing and magical place (just what you would expect I guess!) Thanks for sharing the excitement! 😀
It is fun. Always nice to be able to flick through books before I buy. Especially for the children. I was glad to see a nice choice for AJ. She loves the book that she got at the shop.
I remember going to the library was the most magical thing in my childhood. I LOVED books. I can’t even imagine a place as wonderful as this!! How blessed you are to at least live close enough for an occasional trek!!
~~ Debbie
Great fun!Full of colour and interesting shapes. The children were exceptionally well behaved. I think they were taking it all in. Also nice that it is set up for children, so I didn’t have to keep telling them not to touch. I love places like that!
what a gorgeous shop, i can tell from the outside how beautiful the inside is too.
Lovely treat to go to a child friendly and child inspiring place. Great shop.
What a treat! Such a lovely, magical place. Too bad their other stores are across the country from me….of course, with such a distance, I may as well go on over to Oxford anyway 😉
😀 😀 If you’re going the distance, then the least I can do is meet you for coffee!! Who knows, maybe they’ll open one nearer to you.
Wish there was a shop were I live in the AK
Maybe you can visit next time you’re in the UK, but I bet you have some lovely bookshops up with you, Blogger Kate. AJ insisted on taking her welly boots to school in her Barefoot Books bag. She was going on a farm trip.
For those not lucky enough to live close enough to visit the store: Barefoot also has a network of ambassadors across the country who would be delighted to show you the products they have in stock.
On the website you can search under “Community” and “Browse Profiles” to find an ambassador near you. So no one needs to miss out on these beautiful books.