Shoes from Grandpa - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Jessie, an active girl of nine or so, is growing out of her clothes, and the members of her large and loving family get carried away in their eagerness to provide her with a new wardrobe. In this humorous suburban variation on "The House that Jack Built," Grandpa gets things started off with a pair of new shoes, Dad offers "socks from the local shops," and Mom buys "a skirt that won't show the dirt." As each of Jessie's relatives gets into the act, the rhythmic cumulative tale builds momentum. Brightly colored torn-paper collages fill appealing double-page illustrations portraying Jessie increasingly laden down with everyone else's idea of the perfect addition to her outfit. Finally, shedding all her mismatched apparel, she tactfully speaks her mind: "You're all so kind that I just hate to be mean, but please, would one of you buy me some jeans?" Grandpa grants her wish and Jessie zooms off on her skateboard, in her new jeans, happily unencumbered. Either in story hour or reading on their own, youngsters will enjoy seeing Jessie's free spirit triumph over her family's overly enthusiastic good intentions. --Carey Ayres, Port Washington Public Library, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This talented Australian author's most recent picture books, Koala Lou and Night Noises , have both won kudos, and her latest effort is equally praiseworthy. When Jessie's grandfather notices how much she's grown, he offers to buy her some new shoes for winter. Spurred on by Jessie's delight at the gift--a pair of fire-engine-red boots--one by one the whole family gets in on the act. In a cumulative rhyme reminiscent of "The House that Jack Built," each relative promises something to go with the new boots: socks, mittens, a sweater and so on. Jessie appreciates their generosity, but finally she has to tell the truth--that what she really needs is a new pair of jeans. Practically begging to be read aloud, this exuberant collaboration is firmly rooted in happy family life, and Mullins's collages give the domestic scenes an enticingly hip look. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.