Those Shoes [Paperback]

Maribeth Boelts (Author), Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2009 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

"In this witty, wise picture book, Boelts presents a kid’s-eye view of a
consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A poignant, thought-provoking book." -- -------- School Library Journal 12/01/2007

"Whether children are on the shoe-owning or the shoe-envying side of the economic line, they can sympathize with Jeremy and rejoice in the way he eventually resolves his problem with his too-small shoes." -- -------- Horn Book, The 11/01/2007

Blue Ribbon Award, 2007 -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,

Charlotte Zolotow Award, Highly Commended Book for 2007 -- Cooperative Children's Book Center

"Boelts blends themes of teasing, embarrassment and disappointment with kindness and generosity in a realistic interracial school scenario." -- Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2007

"Jones' autumn-toned illustrations wonderfully complement Boelts' sweet-natured main characters and non-didactic life lesson." -- Booklist 11/01/2007

December 2007 (circ. 3,000): "In this witty, wise picture book Boelts presents a kids-eye view of a consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." -------- -- -------- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review, The 12/05/2007 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Maribeth Boelts is a former preschool teacher who has written numerous books for children. She lives in Iowa with her husband and three children.

Noah Z. Jones is the illustrator of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY, THE MONSTER IN THE BACKPACK, and WELCOME TO THE BED AND BISCUIT. He lives in Maine.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763642843
• ISBN-13: 978-0763642846
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Peer Pressure
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > African-American
  • #5 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > African-American

More About the Author

Maribeth Boelts lives in Iowa with her family and has been writing for children for almost 20 years. Her most recent titles, "Those Shoes" and "Before You Were Mine" have won a number of awards. Her picture book, "Happy Like Soccer" will be published May, 2012. A former teacher, Maribeth enjoys meeting and encouraging kids to read and write. "It is, in equal parts, an enthralling and confusing quest trying to crack the code on what makes a child pull a book off the shelf and continue turning the page. Figuring out what makes that same child laugh, feel understood or inspired is what keeps this career so interesting. I am grateful for every reader."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars take a walk in my shoes, January 11, 2008

By 

Laurie Collins (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Those Shoes (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children, October 30, 2008

By 

Yana V. Rodgers "econkids.rutgers.edu" (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Those Shoes (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great lesson for kids and a wonderful reminder for parents, December 6, 2008

By 

K. Feick (DeKalb, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Those Shoes (Hardcover)

I have 4 kids. The oldest three boys are 9, 6, and 4. I read this to them last night and I was really moved. We discussed the book and they really heard the message that you can't always get everything you want and that there is a very big difference between a want and a need. Being so close to Christmas it was a great conversation opener about what they want for Christmas and what they can reasonably expect. We also discussed and shared times when other people had what we wanted, times when we were envious, and also how much better it feels to be generous and kind! I struggle all the time as a parent to impress upon my children these very ideas and this book brought it home so easily! READ THIS BOOK! Also, I love how the boy lives with his grandmother but it not overemphasized and there is no discussion on why his family consists of just him and her. That is just how real life is sometimes and I appreciate that realistic fact being inserted!