Larry Peterson's Blog, page 66
November 8, 2011
Savvy Saving Couple review
November 8, 2011
My Review of Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson
by Amy Desrosiers
I have had the pleasure of reading, and reviewing Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson. While I did enjoy the concept of the book I do not think I would read it to my child because I am not a fan of the language. In our household we do not promote the words Stupid, Ugly, or Hate. I was very saddened that the author chose these words to describe Willie's shoes. I think a better choice would have been to use the words silly, and dislike. Although I was not a fan of the language I did like the underlying theme that we are all different, and should accept each other's differences. Sometimes we are so self-conscious about our own personal appearance that we let it fool us into thinking we are strange, or will be made fun of. I was relieved that Willie had been dreaming about his new shoes experience, because as a former teacher I could not have ever imagined a child being ridiculed by a teacher, or principal.
I really loved the ending of the story when Willie was reassured by his mother that his shoes were not "stupid, or ugly". I think the children at school reacted with great innocence. They too wanted a pair of his neat slip proof shoes. I have observed many self-conscious kids in my time teaching, and I think that a lot of children are so innocent that they do not always realize another child's handicapped device. With the exception of a few choice words I really enjoyed this story, and believe it conveys a great message to all who read it.
If you would like to learn more about the book "Slippery Willie's , Stupid, Ugly Shoes" by Larry Peterson, you can read an excerpt of the book HERE.
November 7, 2011
Keeping Your Cents review
November 7, 2011
Book Review - Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes
by Mardesia Chauvin
Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."
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Most people will be able to relate to the message in Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson.
For most of my adult life I would say that I have worn my hair in a socially acceptable way. Recently I decided to make a change to something a little more natural that my husband really liked. My hair was finished, I rode home and then the doubt set in. Looking in the mirror I felt like I had the stupidest, ugliest hair in the whole world.
I work at an elementary school and the children can at times be merciless with the teasing. Was I setting myself up for being teased?
So the next morning, instead of being confident in my choice I made the decision to wear a scarf. Every day for a week I wore a different scarf to match my outfits. Finally my husband questioned me as to why I was hiding my cute hair under scarves.
It took his questions and reassurances to make me take off the scarves and go to work with my new hairdo. The funny thing was nobody was laughing and pointing. Everywhere I went the kids told me how cool my hair was and how much they liked the style.
A week spent worrying myself to death for nothing!
In Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes , discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.
A Thrifty Diva/Surviving Mommyhood review
November 6, 2011
Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes (review)
by Michelle Cantu
Synopsis: Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."
Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.
This is a must read for every school aged kid. My ten and two year old both enjoyed the story of Willie. We can all relate to the idea of being made fun of. As a parent we teach our children to be comfortable being themselves. It was nice to have them read a story that they can relate to, interact with and enjoy.
I love the questions at the end of the book. A very nice surprise that even my ten year old was excited to take part in.
A great story I was happy to read with my children.
http://www.slipperywillie.comhttp://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx
365 Changes of Me review
November 6, 2011
Slippery Willie's
by Erin
Have you ever read a book that you wished you had read as a child? "Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes" is that book for me. I loved this book! This book starts off with a dedication for those of us who are "different" and I love it, because I know this book is going to touch a child who feels like they don't fit in anywhere in the world. Maybe they are in a wheelchair, or use crutches to walk, or have leg braces, or a scar, whatever it is Willie is going to be their buddy!!
You start out by being introduced to Willie Wiggins, who has super slippery feet. He slips and slides so much he can't do normal things like ride a bike or climb a tree! He can't even walk because he's slipping and slidding around! You realize that Willie is different, and he hates it (who doesn't when they are different) but what he hates even more is his new shoes which are supposed to help him not slip and slide!
Just like any child who has to wear something to school they are embarrassed about Willie doesn't want to wear his new shoes to school, it has a pretty funny story I know most mom's can relate too! I think we all feel like that sometimes, when we are dealing with children!
Of course, like all mom's Willie's gets his shoes on and sends him off to school! His day goes from bad to worse as everyone seems to only notice his shoes!
If you've ever been that "different" child you can relate to this! You can relate to thinking everyone is laughing at you!
I do not want to give away too much of the story because I'd like you to read it, but just know in the end Willie will be just fine!
I loved this story! I wish Willie had been around when I was a child! I know that reading this story is going to help a child overcome their disability or difference, it's going to give them the confidence to go through life knowing they might not be like everyone else but everything is going to be okay!
This is a great story for parents with children who are disabled, it will open the door for their child to talk about their Willie experiences! It will also help children who know someone with a disability be more compassionate to their feelings! This is just an all around great book for children! I will be recommending it to everyone I know!
Coupon Crazed Freebie Fanatics review
November 5, 2011
Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes - review
by Amber Holt
This book was reviewed by my 12 y/o and 9 y/o daughters and my 9 y/o son. They felt that the beginning was a little repetitive, and that the plot was a "little weird". They all three seemed to think that the shoes were way too weird, in that even if he had super slippery feet, that the shoes would not look like giant robot shoes.In my opinion, I thought that the read had great intentions. The overall theory of the book is a great idea. We were all kids once, and we all at one time, were probably made fun of because we were different, so this book has a great idea behind it. However I do have to agree with my children, when they say that it seems a little repetitive in the beginning. Overall a good read though.
Book web site:
http://www.slipperywillie.com
Just Mom Things review
November 5, 2011
Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes - Book Review
by Jenalin Cahigas
In today's society, it is far from easy to be different from 'normal'. This holds true especially in school children.We often hear about children being teased, made fun of, and perhaps bullied because they are different from the rest of their peers.
This book is a nice reminder that sometimes when we focus on our own difference we become our worst critics.
In the story, Willie has a strange disability that doesn't allow him to walk like other kids. Willie has very slippery feet. He slips and slides all over the place that he has to wear special shoes with a lock so he cannot take them off. Willie thinks that his shoes "are stupid and ugly" and he is convinced that his peers will laugh at him.
Although Willie's mother tries to convince him that his shoes will be great and help him with his slippery feet, He still worried about what his classmates will think. He even had a dream about it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I'm sure kids will also enjoy the silly events that happen throughout. In addition to the enjoyable illustrations which younger children will love, I also have to note that the interactive activities at the end make for a great discussion with children. This book makes a great gift for any children of any age or parents with young children.
About the author
Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children's book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.
Book web site:
http://www.slipperywillie.com
Larry Peterson Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx
Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com
Buy Link
Holyjeans & My Favorite Things review
November 5, 2011
Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes
by Amy Ditmore
As a mom of 4, I have heard so many things that kids worry about that us as adults wouldn't think twice about. From not wearing short because they have chicken legs ( a problem I wish I had :) ), or their legs are too white, or too dark and chunky...( I have one child with each lol) and now my 11 year old is beginning to have those "dreaded pimples". He came home the other day and ran to the mirror, and to his surprise the blemish on his nose was "much huger that what I thought it was. Everybody saw it Mom!" In reality it wasn't that "much huger" it was just his imagination. It's funny sometimes to hear how the smallest things affect them, and how they worry about what people will say. This is what happened to the little Willie in Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes.
Slippery Willie earned his name from being the "slipperiest" kid ever! He slipped and slid all over the place, across floors, up, down, and around the walls, EVERYWHERE. In order to keep him safe from all the slip-sliding he was doing, he had to wear these special shoes made for him to keep him from slipping so much. Willie hated these shoes, and he told his mother they were "stupid and ugly". He was so fearful that everyone would make fun of him, so worried that it was, in fact, affecting his sleep. As the story goes on, Slippery Willie learns that sometimes we stress ourselves way too much about something that really isn't as big a deal as we think.Larry Peterson does a wonderful job with this book, making it pretty relevant to a conversation I would have with one of my kids about a concern they have. It's targeted towards ages 5 or so to around 10 or 11 I would say. My boys are 10, 11, and 13 and all 3 of them thought it was a neat story. They asked me why Slippery Willie's shoes looked so much bigger and uglier in the beginning, and in the end they didn't look like that..... I explained that it may have been portraying how Willie viewed the shoes in his mind, compared to what they really looked like. "Ooooh......" they said.
This book is enjoyable and easy for young readers, as well as reading to your littler ones. It's definitely lesson rich and I would recommend it to parents, grandparents, as well as teachers. In the back of the book is a section with some activities for the older kids to try. They're aimed at teaching them empathy. There are also questions regarding how they accept difference. You'd be surprised at the answers you may get.
Even my little girl who is just 14 months liked this book. (She's not as nice as the boys were though, because she DID laugh at Slippery Willie's Stupid Ugly Shoes..... )
You can preview "Slippery Willie's Stupid Ugly Shoes", and you can also purchase this book in different forms, including for the Kindle for just $2.99. If you have a story to share about how you teach your children to accept peoples' differences, or even how you yourself deal with them, Mr. Peterson would love for you to share with him and his readers.
Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children's book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.
November 4, 2011
Jumbo Feeney: "I'm Giving the Kid a Cupcake"
I almost shouted, "Whoa, Jumbo, slow down. What are you talking about?"
"You're not paying attention, Petie. I said, no cupcakes allowed. That's what I'm talking about. C'mon now, pay attention."
"Jumbo---STOP. Just stop. You always do this. Please start from the beginning."
Look, I love the guy. We have been close friends since grade school back in the Bronx during an era when you could leave your doors unlocked. But, when Jumbo was hyper, he would always start his conversations before dialing the phone. "Okay Petie, okay. My grandson, Mikey---ya know, he's four, well, he stayed over last night and I brought him to his day-care place this morning. You won't believe this."
"Won't believe what?"
"You gonna let me talk or what?"
Smiling I said, "Sorry, Jumbo. Go ahead."
"So I packed the kid's lunch and put a cupcake in the bag. When I get there they check inside the kid's lunch bag and tell me that cupcakes are not allowed. I mean this girl, who looked like she shoulda been waving pom-poms at a high school football game, is telling me, ME, the kid's grandfather, I can't give the kid a cupcake. Yeah, they only serve organic, hormone free stuff, like free-range eggs. What in God's name are free-range eggs. They only serve organic milk. Snacks are celery or carrot sticks---"
"Yeah, but that's the way it is nowadays."
"What's wrong with you Petie? Don't you get it? It's the principle of the thing. I love Mikey to death. What---they think they know best? C'mon man, we ate cupcakes and drank soda and ate salami and we ain't dead yet, are we?"
"But Jumbo---"
"Look Petie, free-range eggs and organic dairy stuff and hormone free whatevers are healthier than cupcakes, okay. I know that. But it is not their job to tell me what I can and cannot feed my grandson. The only ones who can tell me that are his parents. These people want to give me the information about this health food stuff, great. Gimme a print-out. Then we can figure out."
"Yeah, Jumbo, sure--but---"
"But nothing, Petie. But nothing. These young parents of today are being stripped of their parental rights and they don't even see it happening. And it is all being done under the virtuous umbrella of 'what's best for the child'. The parents know what's best for the kids. Not some kid, fresh out of day-care school, who probably still has her mommy washing her clothes. And as far as this grandparent goes if my grandson wants a cupcake when he sees me, which is only about twice a month anyway, I'm giving the kid a cupcake. Gotta go." click
Good old Jumbo. Gotta love the guy.
November 2, 2011
Week 99er review
November 2, 2011
Book Review: Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes
by Becky Fixel
I was given the opportunity to read Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes - a book for kids teaching them about being different and what worrying about unimportant things can do to you.Willie Wiggles has slippery feet and is required to wear special shoes to make sure he doesn't slip around everywhere. Willie is so worried about how others will react to his special shoes he has a nightmare where everyone, everywhere makes fun of him. Willie wakes up to find that no one really minds his special shoes, and they even like him. Willie learns how it was his fear is what caused his bad dreams and really the little things don't matter as much.
I read this book to my nephew and a couple of his friends, before the big Halloween party this past weekend. They enjoyed the story, but I think the promise of the upcoming candy over powered them. I found it a bit hard to keep their attention. The boys had some questions regarding the illustrations - and I had to point out the shoes.
Overall I thought the books was well written and a good story for school age children. If the children you are reading to are younger, they may not understand the pressure of worrying about what their friends thing feels like, and may not relate well to Willie. The illustrations are well drawn and help portray the mood of the story.
I do feel the book's topic and language is more suited for older (school aged) kids as well - we don't encourage the use of the word 'Stupid" in our family, so when the story was read to younger kids we substituted the word "Silly".
This book is a great way to tell your kids that some of their worries aren't as big as they think. The book also includes some suggestions for your kids try, so they don't worry so much about other people's opinions in the future.
Slippery Willie Synopsis:
Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."
Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.
Slippery Willie Website
Purchase a copy of Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes
November 1, 2011
Peanut Butter & Whine review
November 1, 2011
Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes
by Connie Gruning
I was able to review a super cute children's book called "Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes" by Larry Peterson. Such a cute story about a boy Willie who "had slippery feet. They were so slippery that Willie just slipped, slid and spun all over the place".Willie gets new "Stupid, Ugly" shoes that help him walk without slipping, but they are so ugly that Willie doesn't want to wear them.
What I like the most about this story is the message that kids (us adults too!!) we sometimes worry about things so much that we make it a much bigger deal than it really is. This story also helps children see that we all have differences.
Differences are good! It makes us special. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes stresses that it's okay to be different in a way that kids understand.
The book is geared to 4 to 8 year olds. But, I read it out loud to my Granddaughter Emma (3) and she enjoyed it.
The art work is excellent. Bright and colorful.
At the end of the book there are several suggested activities to do with your kids. The activities are geared for the older kids and I wasn't able to do them very well with Emma. However through out the book I asked questions like "Would you laugh at Willie and make him sad?" When the kids are older the activities will be a definite part of this story time. This book is a great addition to our reading library.
If you would like to read an excerpt click here. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is available to purchase here.
For the record... Emma says the shoes are pretty.
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