An itinerant shoemaker in colonial New England makes a pair of shoes for a beautiful young woman, although he fears the red heels are a sign that she is a witch.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Its superb storytelling matched by accomplished art, this memorable picture book takes its inspiration from New England folklore traditions. Jonathan Dowse, an itinerant shoemaker in colonial New England, is lost in the woods when he comes across the cottage of the beautiful, green-eyed Rebecca Wyse. He loses his heart to her as he cobbles her a pair of shoes that use the seemingly new red lacquer heels passed down to Rebecca from her mother and grandmother?even though he has heard such heels are the sign of a witch. Rebecca does have special powers, rising into the air to dance, but he appreciates them just as she appreciates his gifts: "Thou put some new magic in these shoes of mine!" she proclaims as the two dance "like skaters on ice, across the moon-silvered surface of the pond" and then whirl through the air, far above the woods and village. Their nightly dances across the starlit sky end when Jonathan takes up his profession once more, but San Souci (The Talking Eggs) brings them together again in his story's satisfying if expected ending. Kelley's (The Christmas of the Reddle Moon) atmospheric pastels range from closely focused still lifes and portraits to exuberant, ethereal renderings of the soaring couple. Like the narrative, the art answers some questions about Rebecca and her powers, but leaves others enticingly open, inviting youngsters to interpret as they like. A tantalizing tale. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5?This unusual picture book combines art and text to stunning effect. Jonathan Dowse, an itinerant shoemaker in colonial New England, loses his way in unfamiliar woods and arrives at a mysterious cottage. Its lone inhabitant is an equally mysterious young woman of delicate beauty who possesses all the domestic attributes of the perfect "goodwife." But Rebecca's nocturnal activities are bizarre and frightening. After summarily sending Jonathan to bed and cautioning him not to disturb her, she dons her red-heeled shoes. With the help of a magical quahog shell and a brief incantation, she disappears up the chimney and into the night. The next night, the young man finds that he can re-create the magic spell, and he flies through the night to join her in a magical moonlit dance. This mood of romance, and the theme of love conquering fear, superstition, and even the tedium of the Puritan work ethic are subtexts to the plot. Although the many levels of meaning add to the story's interest, the book demands an audience that can both understand and appreciate what is going on. San Souci uses the authentic language of the times, with many "thees" and "thous" sprinkled throughout. Kelley's magnificent pastels on paper enhance the eerie quality of the story, at the same time rendering with care the details of Colonial dress, architecture, food, tools, and crafts, and other elements of daily life.?Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Red Heels,
By Martin Adams (usa) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Red Heels (Hardcover)
The Red Heels is a magical love story that captures the attention of the reader as wells as the imagination of the listeners. My daughters and I checked this book out from the library and were so captivated by the story and the beautiful illustrations that we decided we wanted to add it to our library. It's beginning details the life and work of a colonial cobbler and continues as you journey with Jonathon into a mysterious forest and are wisked away into a magical night with Rebecca and her magic shoes. Ideas of loneliness and lost love play upon the readers sympathies until it is revealed that the power of love is living among common people and satisfies you with the revelation of the magic that can last even there; if love abides. To us this was a great colonial fairytale! All girls want to dance with the one they love - once upon a starry night sky . . . in red heels.
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