A Flock of Shoes. Sarah Tsiang. Illustrated by Qin Leng. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2010. 32 pp., pbk. & hc., $8.95 (pbk.), $19.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55451-248-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55451-249-2 (hc.). Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4

excerpt:

Abby and her sandals
had a wonderful summer together.
But when fall came, her mother tried to take them away.
"Your feet will be too cold!"
"Your sandals are getting word!"
"You're starting to outgrow those shoes!"
But Abby's mother was often full of nonsense.

A Flock of Shoes is read-aloud picture book that young children will enjoy. It's the story of little Abby, a girl who adores her summer sandals. When they become too small, she refuses to part with them, and so they are taken away by the wind and fly south like geese in a "V" formation with a flock of other children's sandals. Abby's mother replaces them with winter boots for the fall. Meanwhile, Abby receives postcards from her sandals that are enjoying themselves in a sunnier place for the winter but are still thinking of her.

      This is a situation to which young children can relate – having a pair of shoes they love and continue to wear even though the shoes are too small or too warn. Author Sarah Tsiang's simple yet evocative language will engage young listeners. Who hasn't thought a parent was full of "nonsense" when they were being reasonable and practical?

      The accompanying illustrations by Qin Leng add to this book's charm. Leng's depiction of Abby's world, where sandals fly through the air and boots march to the north, is magical. Her use of the postcard picture for the notes from the sandals creates a completely different narrative mood.

Recommended.

Robert Groberman is a grade three teacher at Kirkbride Elementary School in Surrey, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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