If you’re a shoe person, you know just how exciting it can be to find the perfect pair.
One that looks good.
One that feels good.
One that makes your feet smile.
Debut picture book author Sue Fliess knows this feeling well. And, she’s captured it perfectly in Shoes for Me! (Marshall Cavendish Children, 2011).
The book tells the story of a rhino who outgrows her shoes and goes shopping for the perfect replacement pair. But there are so many options! Her quest for perfection is told in an easy-to-read rhyme and illustrated with understated charm by Mike Laughead.
Today’s guest reviewer, Sienna, is only 4 years old, but she already knows a thing or two about shoes.
She’s wearing her favorite sparkly pink pair in the photo to the right, along with pajama bottoms featuring flip-flops. She also has a pair of pink cowgirl boots she’s partial to.
So here she is to tell us what she thought of the book. Take it away, Sienna!
Our reviewer: Sienna.
Age: 4.
I like to: Play baby, play chase and do karate.
This book was about: Finding shoes.
The best part was when: I got some shoes. (Editor’s note: Shoes for the reader are not included in the price of this book!)
I smiled when: She got her shoes.
I was worried when: The shoes were all piled up.
I was surprised when: She couldn’t find shoes she liked.
This book taught me: Don’t look for shoes all day and night.
Three words that describe this book: “Shoes.” “Shoes.” “Shoes.”
My favorite line or phrase in this book: “I’m no duck!”
Other kids reading this book should watch for: The fuzzy duck shoes.
You should read this book because: It’s so hilarious.
If you’d like to learn more about Sue Fliess and future books she has coming out, visit her website.
If you’d like to learn more about Mike Laughead and his previous work, you can visit his website.
And, just to prove that shopping for cool shoes is not limited to the younger set, here are the shoes I recently purchased that make my feet smile.
But unlike the main character in Fliess’ picture book, it did not take me very long to find them. I saw them on the John Fluevog website and instantly fell in love. (Sorry for the shameless product promotion. Fluevog is not giving me any sort of a reimbursement for mentioning their extremely pumped-up kicks. Although if they wanted to, they certainly could contact me through this blog.)
And, unlike the rhino in this book, my mother did not tell me the shoes I lik
Good books are meant to be shared.
So sisters Jaiden and Sienna did just that, sharing reviewing duties for Immi’s Gift (Peachtree Publishers, 2010).
This is an appealing picture book written and illustrated by Karin Littlewood.
Immi, an Inuit girl, fishes every day. And, she often catches brightly colored carvings of exotic birds and animals along with her fish.
These carvings make her wonder what life is like in other parts of the world. And, eventually, they inspire her to share something she loves with someone far away.
As Booklist says, the book is about “the interconnectedness of all beings on earth.” And that theme is especially effective when it’s told with Littlewood’s gorgeously vivid illustrations and charming text.
But don’t take my word for it, listen to our sister act. They’re double the fun.
Today’s guest reviewers: Jaiden, 6.5, and Sienna, 3.
Jaiden likes: To read, cook and garden.
Sienna likes: To play chase and hide-and-seek and cook.
Jaiden and Sienna say this book was about: A little girl who wears a bear on her neck. Every day when she fishes, she finds more and more stuff. Then one day, her igloo turns different colors and all the animals stay for supper. Then, when the snow melts, she drops her polar bear in the water.
Jaiden says the best part was when: Her igloo turned different colors.
Sienna says it was when: The polar bear dropped in the sea and goed on the beach.
Jaiden smiled when: Immi dropped her polar bear necklace in the sea, and the boy found it.
Sienna smiled when: The girl came up with the idea.
Jaiden was worried when: Immi was hugging that fox, because I thought it was going to eat her.
Sienna was worried when: She dropped the polar bear in.
Jaiden was surprised: When the other little boy found Immi’s bear.
Sienna was surprised: On every page.
This book taught Jaiden: To share.
This book taught Sienna: Never litter. (Editor’s note. This may be my favorite response EVER from any kid who’s done a book review for me.)
Three words that describe this book: “Colorful.” “Happy.” “Cold.”
Favorite line: “Oh, it was cold.”
Jaiden says you should read this book because: It was a very happy story.
Sienna says you should read this book because: It is special for you.
Thank you Jaiden and Sienna. You’ve just proved that two heads really are better than one!
If you’d like to learn more about Karin Littlewood and the other books she’s created, visit her website.
If you’d like to see other reviews of this book, visit:
And, just to prove that shopping for cool shoes is not limited to the younger set, here are the shoes I recently purchased that make my feet smile.