Shoes Like Miss Alice's [Hardcover]

Angela Johnson (Author), Ken Page (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995

A child spends the day with the lively new babysitter, Miss Alice.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sara is not at all sure she wants Mama to leave her with a new baby-sitter. Miss Alice nevertheless soon has her dancing to the radio ("These are my dancing shoes, Sara," she says), eating a snack, taking a walk (Miss Alice has brought her brown walking shoes) napping ("I'll stay right here. I've got my nap shoes on," Miss Alice promises, pulling fuzzy slippers from her bag), and drawing pictures, so that the day passes happily until Mama's return. Johnson (Julius; Humming Whispers, reviewed below) presents a reassuring and in no way saccharine scenario: her simple, direct first-person narrative traces the various curves of the day's emotions, acknowledging that Sara is "sad" and "misses Mama" even as she learns to trust and enjoy her very special sitter. In his picture-book debut, Page adds gentle, realistic oil paintings that focus largely on Miss Alice and Sara themselves, reinforcing the notion that the day is theirs to share and that the bond between them is precious and unique. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-5. In a story with a plot that's not unfamiliar but has lots of heart, Sara isn't too pleased about her new baby-sitter, Miss Alice. But Miss Alice has a few tricks up her sleeve--and several pairs of shoes on her feet. First, Miss Alice puts on her dancing shoes, and the duo twirl up a storm. Then, it's time for a stroll, with Miss Alice wearing her old brown walkers. Naptime means fuzzy slippers, and drawing time means bare feet. By the time Miss Alice leaves, the pair have stepped lively through the whole day. Once again, Johnson offers a story that depicts a warm relationship between African American characters. Page is a new picture-book illustrator, and though there is occasional technical stiffness in his renderings, he captures the story's frequent joyous moments. Tucked in the tale is a nice message about being open to new people walking into your life. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531068145
• ISBN-13: 978-0531068144
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.