Super Star Children's Book Reviews: Red Shoes

Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature with a focus on diverse books here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie L. Young, Sarah Orgill—and I are so excited to be championing books celebrating everything from gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community to ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, people with disabilities and developmental challenges to controversial topics, unique family situations and anything and everything I did not include. It is to say we take a rightfully broad view of diversity! We aim to shine a light on books that bring both familiar experiences to those who do not often see themselves represented in books and new experiences to those looking to expand their worldview. Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe in the power of story to build empathy and thus a better world for you and me and everyone. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.

RED SHOES
Written by Karen English • Illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 32 pages
Published by Scholastic Press • 2020
ISBN: 978-1-338-11460-7

When Malika is enchanted by a special pair of bright red shoes, her nana can’t resist making her a gift of them. Malika adores them so much, she wears them everywhere—at home, around the neighborhood, to a family wedding, Nana’s Christmas dinner, to school and her best friend’s birthday party, too.

But Malika is growing all the while she is having fun, and soon her special shoes are too small. It is time to pass them along to the local resale shop, where Amina’s Auntie discovers them and brings them back home to Africa for her. Like Malika before her, Amina adores her new red shoes and delights in wearing them.

Glenn’s softly graphic artwork is edged with gently curving lines. Her palette is warm and bright, and Malika and Amina are both brought to life with whimsical gestures and sweet expressions.

Red Shoes is a joyful story that captures the simple pleasure and delight of a new pair of shoes, and how this shared experience connects two little girls across the globe.

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Reviewed by: Jane Smith