New Shoes

by Chris Raschka, Chris Raschka (Illustrator)

Overview

Two-time Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka pays tribute to one of the most quintessential events of childhood—getting new shoes—in this boldly illustrated and inspiring book for the youngest reader.

When a young child discovers a hole in a sneaker, mother and child embark on a big childhood adventure—a trip to the store to pick out new shoes.

From having feet measured and making a selection to finally showing off the new shoes to a friend, this momentous child moment is treated with respect, excitement, and page-turning energy in a wonderfully age-appropriate picture book.

Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka joyfully captures the event from the child’s point of view. New Shoes is a preschool classic in the making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062657527
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/01/2018
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	647,964
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Chris Raschka is the creator of many distinguished and award-winning books for children. He has received two Caldecott Medals—one for The Hello, Goodbye Window, written by Norton Juster, and one for his own A Ball for Daisy. He also received a Caldecott Honor for Yo! Yes? Chris Raschka was the US nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2012 and 2016 and has been awarded a New York Times Best Illustrated Book citation five times. He lives in New York City with his family.

Chris Raschka is the creator of many distinguished and award-winning books for children. He has received two Caldecott Medals—one for The Hello, Goodbye Window, written by Norton Juster, and one for his own A Ball for Daisy. He also received a Caldecott Honor for Yo! Yes? Chris Raschka was the US nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2012 and 2016 and has been awarded a New York Times Best Illustrated Book citation five times. He lives in New York City with his family.

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/26/2018
With deep, intuitive understanding of a child’s perceptions, Caldecott Medalist Raschka explores the experience of buying new shoes. Readers see the child’s legs and feet from above as the story is told in real time. Big, bold colors and free, rounded forms give the spreads inviting warmth. The child’s old shoes have worn out (“Dirt could get in. Or water”), and they set off for the store, where feet get measured on a size chart. “My feet are bigger than before!” After trying on a yellow pair that’s “a little pinchy,” the child finds a red pair that is “comfy. I like them!” Raschka celebrates fully this small but important moment of getting the chance to choose something for oneself. It’s the kind of book that might become a battered, dog-eared favorite—like a well-worn pair of shoes. Ages 4–8. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Raschka takes a common experience and personalizes it by employing the visual perspective of a young child...the page design, along with the loose, amiable watercolor-and-gouache illustrations, elevates the book. Vibrant and full of energy, the pictures fully engage the reader as a participant in the story.” — Booklist

“Raschka’s loose line and bright watercolor-and-gouache edge-to-edge illustrations are lively and sweet, perfectly suited to his subject. A delightfully important adventure for a very small person.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Raschka’s clever visual perspective takes this outing from solid to superb...a delightful, somewhat Mr. Rogers-esque introduction and celebration of a small but significant life activity.”  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The watercolor and gouache illustrations in Raschka’s signature loose style give a child’s-eye view of each phase of shoe-shopping. ...Raschka focuses on small moments of ordinary life that become significant: in this case, a young child who still needs help from adults practices self-reliance and makes independent choices.” — Horn Book Magazine

“[A] simple joyous celebration...a perfect choice for preschoolers as well as new readers. ...A lovely, original book about a familiar rite of growing up, perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

From the Publisher

The watercolor and gouache illustrations in Raschka’s signature loose style give a child’s-eye view of each phase of shoe-shopping. ...Raschka focuses on small moments of ordinary life that become significant: in this case, a young child who still needs help from adults practices self-reliance and makes independent choices.

Horn Book Magazine

Raschka’s clever visual perspective takes this outing from solid to superb...a delightful, somewhat Mr. Rogers-esque introduction and celebration of a small but significant life activity.” 

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Raschka takes a common experience and personalizes it by employing the visual perspective of a young child...the page design, along with the loose, amiable watercolor-and-gouache illustrations, elevates the book. Vibrant and full of energy, the pictures fully engage the reader as a participant in the story.

Booklist

Raschka takes a common experience and personalizes it by employing the visual perspective of a young child...the page design, along with the loose, amiable watercolor-and-gouache illustrations, elevates the book. Vibrant and full of energy, the pictures fully engage the reader as a participant in the story.

Booklist

Raschka’s clever visual perspective takes this outing from solid to superb...a delightful, somewhat Mr. Rogers-esque introduction and celebration of a small but significant life activity.” 

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

★ 06/01/2018
PreS-Gr 1—Who doesn't love getting new shoes? This simple joyous celebration of a trip to the shoe store is narrated by an anonymous young child. Raschka's signature watercolor-and-gouache illustrations depict only legs, feet, and hands to move the story along. "Mommy is going to put my shoes on me. Hee-hee." Not only do the shoes in question have holes in two places, but a quick measure at the store reveals that "My feet are bigger than before!" The narrator chooses two pairs to try: the first pair "are a little pinchy right there" but the red sneakers are comfy and perfect for running. The child can't wait to show the cherished new shoes to a friend. Short sentences, controlled vocabulary, and bold white print against a color-saturated background make this a perfect choice for preschoolers as well as new readers. This is also a great choice for kindergarten units on personal narrative. VERDICT A lovely, original book about a familiar rite of growing up, perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.—Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools

School Library Journal

2018-03-04
A routine but noteworthy event is seen through a preschooler's eyes.The perspective is literally that of the child narrator throughout: a view of chubby legs, round knees, and pale toes—and a pair of shoes. The unseen owner of the toes informs readers: "Mommy puts on my socks. / Mommy puts on my old shoes." A chubby little hand points out the holes in the little green shoes into which a finger can fit, and the narrator observes (perhaps repeating Mommy's concern), "Dirt could get in. Or water." A grown-up hand holds the toddler's as the walking surface changes: It's a trip to the shoe store. "A man takes off my old shoes" and measures the sock-clad foot: "My feet / are bigger than before!" Readers then see a selection of new shoes, a small pointing finger, a couple of pairs tried on (first yellow, then red)—and, "I like them!" The narrator is eager to share the wonder of this new footwear with "Emma," and on the final page, a pair of brown legs and small feet in bright blue shoes join our narrator's familiar pink and white legs and small feet in (new) red shoes. Raschka's loose line and bright watercolor-and-gouache edge-to-edge illustrations are lively and sweet, perfectly suited to his subject.A delightfully important adventure for a very small person. (Picture book. 18 mos.-4)

Kirkus Reviews