Barefoot Books is a different kind of children's book publisher. It started as a home-based business for two mothers. Now they have seven children between them, and their company has published more than 300 books in 15 years.

And these are not any books. They're unique, colorful, charming books. The aim of Barefoot Books is to "celebrate the world's diversity, encourage children's independent spirits, and build their enthusiasm for reading, creativity, and discovery."

You'll find fairy tales, knights, pirates, princesses, and classical heroes; multicultural, ethnic, and world stories from many different lands; even Spanish books appropriate for English-speaking as well as Spanish-speaking communities.

For example, Baron Baptiste's "My Daddy Is a Pretzel" features yoga for parents and kids. "Shakespeare's Storybook" shares folk tales that inspired the Bard to write all his great plays and poems. "Mama Panya's Pancakes" is set in a Kenyan village while "Grandmothers' Stories" features wise woman tales from many cultures. 

Besides books, you'll find beautiful puppets, music, puzzles, toys, games, journals, calendars, story CDs, artist prints, and gift sets.

On the web site, books can be divided by the following age ranges: 0-4, 3-6, 4-8, 6-10, 8-14, and all ages.