Those Shoes

Purchased this book for a preschooler, with the intention of introducing social consciousness in an age-appropriate way. Characters are believable, illustrations are interesting, and the story is relatable. Makes me feel slightly less guilty about buying my too-young-to-understand-yet child the kind of brand name shoes that I never got as a child.

My students really enjoy this story. It's short and sweet, geared toward young readers. Since it's so short and has such a clear theme, though, it is a good one for introducing theme with older students. They get interested in it since the topic is tennis. :)

In search of books where the protagonist is a black male, my eagerness to get this book was met by contempt upon reading it. Why does the writer choose to focus on the stereotypical poor black kid without parents syndrome? From being raised by his overworked and tired grandmother to having to take the bus to school to receiving giveaway clothing from his teacher, this book is laced with notions of poverty that infuriated me. The author could have chosen to begin the book with the kid noticing someone in need and their ability to share and be helpful. I'm sending this book back, even if it costs more to ship than what the book is worth (it's the principle of the matter) because I want to send the message that we could not relate to the story. As writers, one must be mindful of perpetuating stereotypes and pigeon-holing. I do not want this book in my home nor would I recommend it to other moms or teachers.

Artwork is very good. Story is a nice length. There is some good repetitive language, but not enough for the non-native speakers I was hoping to use it with. The ending is very good for helping children to see the needs of others.

The story starts off with the childish stereotypical rant, "I want those shoes because everyone else has them," but then transforms into a story of empathy and sharing even when what you have to share is so little. It's not about how much you share, but how meaningful the share is. I think many kids can relate to the protagonist storyline: the young child who has to live without the luxury of "wants" fulfilled, only the "needs." Although he really, really, wants those shoes, he matures throughout the story to realize that sometimes what others need takes a back seat to your wants. I love that the story takes on real life scenarios and comes out in the end with a real life lesson. Thank you!
Tune into my youtube channel to watch and listen to the full story: Sami & Amro Reading Time.

I loved this picture book. Jeremy wants a pair of Black high tops, with two white stripes that all the kids are wearing. His grandmother says there is no room for want just need. Jeremy must watch as all the other kids come in wearing the coveted shoes. When his shoe comes apart in kickball, the guidance counselor gives him a new pair.

"Looks like you could use a new pair, Jeremy, "Mr. Alfrey the guidance counselor, says. He brings out a box of shoes and other stuff he has for kids who need things. He helps me find the only shoes that are m y size - Velcro- like the ones my little cousin Marshall wears. They have an animal on them from a cartoon I don't think any kid ever watched."

When Jeremy returns to class, all the kids laugh at him except for a boy named Antonio. Jermey goes shoes shopping with his grandmother.

"At the shoe store, Grandma turns those shoes over so she can check the price. When she sees it, she sits down heavy. "Maybe they wrote it down wrong," I say. Grandma shakes her head."

After that the two hit thift stores. After some searching they find a pair of those shoes for $2.50. Jermey buys the shoes even though they are too small. At school Jermey continues to wear is no name shoes, while those too small shoes sit in his room In math class Jermey notices that Antonio's feet are smaller than his and one of his shoes is taped up. When the two play basketball, Jermey's mind and eyes stay on that bit of tape keeping Antonio's shoe together. That night Jermey decides to give Anotonio the coveted shoes.

I love how this story unfolded. Sometimes I find picture with grade school students have missed the mark. The text and illustrations fighting each other for a different audience. This was not the case with Those Shoes. The story arc textually and visually are perfect. Boelts quickly gives Jermey, a personality making the reader care about his story. One of my favorite parts -is when Jeremy is working on his spelling words. He's at his desk pen in hand, looking down on the words
South Africa
Hawaii
Ohio
England
San Francisco

"When I'm writing my spelling words later, every word looks like the word shoes and my grip is so tight on my pencil I think it might bust."

I am a fan of Noah Z. Jones illustrations. I think this is the third book I've reviewed that he has illustrated. Though I must say Those Shoes is now my favorite. Jones uses light pastel and fall like color, giving the book a very open look. Thanks to the copyright page I know the illustrations were done in watercolor, pencil and ink.

Just about every boy at school seemed to be wearing those black high-tops with two white stripes, and Jeremy wanted a pair also. Unfortunately Grandma remained firm about only paying for needs, not wants, and Jeremy needed a new pair of winter boots. To add insult to injury, when one of Jeremy's shoes fell apart at school, the only replacement available from the guidance counselor's supply box was a pair of children's Velcro sneakers with a cartoon animal on the side. Even Jeremy's idea of buying his dream high-tops at a local thrift shop backfired when the one pair in stock fit so poorly that they hurt his feet. Little did Jeremy realize that those thrift-store high-tops held the key to a deeper understanding of generosity and friendship.

This clever book contains a powerful lesson about differentiating between wants and needs in the face of tight budget constraints. At the same time, the subtle text and expressive illustrations communicate clearly a child's desire to conform. At a time when expensive shoes have become a high-status consumption good, Those Shoes comes out a winner for telling an appealing story to which readers across age groups can relate.

This is a magical book that always works for school-aged kids, even the ones that think they are too cool to have someone read to them.

When I read it to a group, I ask, "Have you ever not gotten what you wanted, even if you thought you really needed it? How did that make you feel?" Even the "privileged" kids can relate.

Without being syrupy, this is the story of a kid who is just getting by; he wants the cool shoes the other kids have and knows he can never have them. He finds them--sort of, they are too small--in a consignment shop and manages to buy them, desperate to fit in. Meanwhile, the only kid who didn't laugh at him a few days ago doesn't have any shoes, either. Without giving too much away, I'll say the story ends with compassion and dignity. It's also miraculously brief; every word is important.

Since I am a librarian, I often have parents or teachers asking me for books on friendship. I've never seen one as well-written as this, and the illustrations round out the story perfectly.

Everyone at school has a certain pair of shoes (Chuck Taylor style hi-cut sneakers) and Jeremy wants them too. He just can't afford them. His sneakers fall apart and he has to go to the guidance counselor's office to pick new ones from a bin - embarrassing and disappointing. He finds a pair of the coveted shoes at a thrift store and buys them although they are really too small for him and they blister his feet. After a short while he gives them to another boy in his class (whose soles of his shoes are taped together) who truly fits into them.

Empathy is the big word here. Some lucky children may not understand about the scene in the guidance counselor's office. Someone can't afford shoes? Other children will come to understand that they ar not alone in their needs.

This is a book about sharing that reaches out especially to boys! Kicks are important to them.

Everyone I have shared this book with has been touched by it. I highly recommend it for all elementary school age children.

Delicately told and charmingly illustrated story about the efforts of a boy from a modest socioeconomic background to obtain a popular model of shoes.

As reviewed on my children's book recommendation site Books for Children ([...]