Lali's Flip-Flops

by Farhana Zia, Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Illustrator)

Lali has worked hard to earn money for a special treat—but should she spend her earnings on herself or her friends?

Lali works hard to earn some money while her animal friends watch. She stirs. She stokes. She pounds. She pours. Then off she goes to the market on the twisty-curvy, dusty, stony, prickly, sizzly-wizzly path. What shall she buy with the jingle in her pocket? Lentils for Hen? Berries for Goat? Ribbons for Bird? Or perhaps a lovely pair of flip-flops for her poor tired feet.

But when Lali returns home and sees her friends’ disappointed faces, she realizes that while hard work pays off, generosity also has rewards.

Genres: Picture Books, Money, India, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2023

About the author

Farhana Zia grew up in Hyderabad, India. She is a retired elementary school teacher and the author of picture books and novels. Her stories blend humor and tradition, memories and contemporary moments. She lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was disturbing to me. Lali works hard to earn enough money to buy herself some flip-flops. On her way to the market to buy them, a bunch of talking animals tell her to buy them things instead. She just buys the flip-flops and then all the animals are mad at her for not getting their stuff, so she works so hard she makes herself sick to earn more money to go buy them the things they want. This is wrong because firstly, why is a child responsible for buying anyone anything? Second, she worked hard but was made to feel guilty that she spent her money on herself rather than others who did nothing. I'm not sure what message a child is supposed to take away from this book. If it was rewritten it could have a good message of using your extra money to do a little nice thing for others after you take care of yourself, but as the story is now, I don't think it sends a proper message.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lali has been hard at work all week, and she does so cheerfully since she knows that her labor will provide some coins to spend at the market. As she heads there, she passes various animals, including Hen, Goat, and Bird. Each one requests some small item, but when Lali makes her purchase, the new flip-flops she buys take all her money, leaving the animals disappointed. Feeling somewhat guilty, she goes back to work, returns to the market, and makes the necessary purchases. Lali provides a good example for youngsters. While it's fun to have stuff for ourselves, it's also satisfying to give small treats to friends. The melodic, repetitive text works quite well for this story, giving it the feel of a traditional tale, and the digital artwork allows readers to follow Lali all the way to and from the market.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this cumulative tale, a girl is given opportunities to practice generosity as she makes her way along the “twisty-curvy, dusty, stony, prickly, sizzly-wizzly” path to and from the market. Lots of repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and the rhythmic text provide plenty of entertainment for younger listeners—especially the deliciously satisfying ending—as a delightful read-aloud for story time. Colorful illustrations of Lali and her animal friends.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

12/2/2023 ~ I didn't think this had quite the imagination of the first book about Lali, Lali's Feather. However, I definitely appreciated the message that sharing brings more pleasure than buying things for ourselves. I also appreciated the idea of working for one's allowance, spending money, etc.

The text has lovely rhythm and repetition that will make it a pleasure to read aloud. I know listeners will want to chime in.

[Michael Guillot · Rating 2 out of 5]

the animals literally didn't say please anyone who says "buy me X!" would get NOTHING and can ROT Lali should have treated herself to the candy mountain, after all, she was the one who did all the work. booooooo.

[Israa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Edelweiss for an advanced copy. The story doesn’t say, but I guess Lali lives in an Indian village. The illustrations are colorful and cute! My favorite part is all the onomatopoeia used. Talking animals are a great addition, and this story is PERFECT for read alouds in the classroom.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be fun to read in storytime. Also I am conflicted - why are the animals who did not help with the work, upset that Lali spent her hard earned money on flip flops to make her feet feel better?