I started out the New Year with symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Long Covid (whichever one you believe in). At the same time, my picture book was finally announced in Publisher’s Weekly.
2024 has birth forth my greatest accomplishment and my lowest point health-wise. It’s a tenuous year-a back and forth switchboard of what’s going to happen next.
I am also living in the place I’ve been dreaming of for a decade. So while my biggest unimaginable dreams have come to fruition, a few unexpected life changing setbacks as well.
2020s have really thrown me for a loop!
I hope you are reading this in a good spot with good things happening for you. Intuitively, I feel like the earth is shifting towards huge change and I hope that we all have the courage, resources and resilience to toggle through.
A PICTURE BOOK ABOUT POVERTY AND GENEROSITY
With that in mind, I wanted to do a quick review of a picture book I’ve read to my son recently. It’s by no ways a new book. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones and published by Candlewick Press was published in 2007, however, is likely to be a classic for good reason.
WHAT? It is a story about poverty and feeling different because of it. I love this book because while there are meaningful and powerful themes throughout the manuscript, Boelts also just does such a beautiful job of telling a good story. I was captivated beat by beat, page by page. What will the first person main character Jeremy do when his shoes are falling apart and his grandma cannot afford the brand new cool shoes everyone seems to own?
WHY? I think this is a riveting read for all children who compare themselves (social media making things harder these days) to remember the value of generosity and giving over owning expensive things. The author does a wonderful job of showing the pain of not having “room for want,” as his grandmother says and what it’s like wearing borrowed shoes. It’s also about seeing others who are in even more need than you.
PERSONAL THOUGHTS: This book really hit home for me. How many of us (raise hands) still compare yourself to the richer, seemingly happier friend? How do we keep jealousy at bay? We remember what we have, what’s most important and what gives us the greatest riches in life.
I have been working on a picture book with similar themes for a few years now and haven’t managed to stay true to the theme while also telling a good story. This is a great mentor text as well as a good picture book to read with kids. My son is 8, but I think even my 10 year old could find value in it.
*Heads up. That’s an affiliate link. If you click on it and purchase the book, I will get a small fee for your purchase. Thank you!
