Centipede's One Hundred Shoes [Hardcover]

Tony Ross (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Have fun with numbers in this hilarious new picture book by master storyteller and illustrator Tony Ross.

“One hundred shoes, please!” said the little centipede. “Fifty left ones, and fifty right ones.”
“Why do you want one hundred?” asked the shoe seller.
“Because I’m a centipede, which means a hundred feet,” said the little centipede.

But when are one hundred shoes too many shoes? And what do you do with too many shoes? Why, you give them away!

Find out who gets them in this delightfully silly story about a centipede with sore feet.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-After stubbing his toe on a pebble, a young centipede goes shoe shopping. Because he believes that shoes with laces are more "grown-up," his mother purchases 50 pairs to protect her son's feckless feet. He quickly discovers that there are 58 extra shoes, and his grandfather explains that most centipedes only have 42 legs. To make matters worse, the multi-legged critter painfully perceives that without socks the shoes hurt, which defeats their purpose. In addition, the excitement of so many new shoes is short-lived, as the poor arthropod learns that after rising in the morning, donning the footgear, and tying all those laces, it's time for bed. Deciding that they are just not worth the effort, he gives the shoes and newly knitted socks to friends, and the tale becomes a subtle lesson in elementary math. Discriminating readers will notice a concurrent, budding relationship between two ladybugs wordlessly unfolding in the background. Amusing pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, including a woebegone centipede with a turquoise head and five dangling spiders each sporting eight high-tops, add more droll humor to this delightful tale.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Tony Ross was born in England and studied at the Liverpool School of Art. He is the author and / or illustrator of more than fifty children’s books, including I Want to Be a Cowgirl and Susan Laughs. Mr. Ross lives with his wife and daughter in Cheshire, England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805072985
• ISBN-13: 978-0805072983
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, October 19, 2009

By 

Mary C. Scott "Critic" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Centipede's One Hundred Shoes (Hardcover)

My 5 year-old grandson loves this book! We have probably read it a hundred times!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Centipede's 100 Shoes is 100 laughs, December 1, 2007

By 

zacwbd "zacwbd" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Centipede's One Hundred Shoes (Hardcover)

Cute, good read-aloud book with wonderful drawings and nice touches of humor. Lots to see, lots to count.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sooooooooo cute!, September 2, 2007

By 

J.E.D. (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Centipede's One Hundred Shoes (Hardcover)

I love the creativity of this book and its use of numbers. Cute, attention keeping, and very educational all in one.