The Elves and the Shoemaker

by Eric Suben (Adapter), Lloyd Bloom (Illustrator)

A poor shoemaker becomes successful with the help of two elves who finish his shoes during the night.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Classics, Christmas

23 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Phoenix2]

Beautiful drawings and a warm christmas story with a little of magic and shoes!!

[Sara]

One of the very first books I remember reading as a child. Great memories!

[Bronwyn]

This was a good retelling of this story. The illustrations really made it though; they’re gorgeous.

[Bellalistic]

3/5 ⭐⭐⭐ G

SPOILERS

This is mostly a story where strange things just happen, and it’s never really explained why, how, or for what reason. One important word in the story is kind, because if the shoemaker weren’t kind, the elves probably never would have shown up in the first place. There’s also an interesting bit of irony: as soon as the shoemaker shows them direct kindness by making them clothes, they leave. I don’t know how close this version is to the original, but in at least one earlier telling the elves start out naked, so it’s possible the clothes were meant as a kindness and ended up being an offense instead.

· · ·

"But the shoemaker and his wife, who had paid back kindness with kindness, never wanted for anything, and they lived happily for a good long time."
- The Elves and the Shoemaker by Eric Suben

[Marilyn Showalter]

Modern Fantasy
1st-3rd grade reading level
This is one of my favorite books because I love the couple in this story. I like that after they obtain more wealth they are still humble and seeking to do good to others even though they could have just brushed them aside. They are inspiring to me because they did something for the elves rather than seeing the elves as their servants. I love the pictures in this book, and it’s cool to see an old trade that isn’t very popular anymore.

[Leigh]

Perfect retelling. Sweet gift from my Grandmother :)

[Kylie Abecca]

This book is so beautiful and filled with magic.

[Stacie]

Read this book as a child. Longed to have such elves appear to clean our bedroom.

[Grandma M]

Classic story with a kindness moral.

[Rick Christiansen]

I feel like i for aure read this as a kid. Maybe not this version. But it is nice

[Christine]

This is one of my favorite Golden Books. The illustrations are gorgeous and it is a cozy, magical story. It's great around Christmas but we read it year round!

[Eva-Marie Nevarez]

Julia really liked this and I wish I'd read it to her sooner. We've had this hanging around since she was a baby and it's only been since I decided to read every one she owns that we got to many of them.
This is definitely a classic and it's nice to be able to enjoy a story with your child that you enjoyed with your mother when you were her age.

[Judy]

This has always been one of my favorite fairy tales, and even the youngest kids like it. Maybe that's because there's nothing scary -- no monsters, no evil parents, no witches, no fearful happenings (getting lost, going on a dangerous quest, ...). What I can't explain when they ask is why the elves quit visiting the shoemaker after they were given the new clothes.

[Marty]

Good book

[Ricki]

I loved this book as a child. It is a nice story with a happy ending. :)

[Auggie]

Read to my son.

Very charming. A simple but enjoyable retelling.

[Stacey]

1992/ 1987 two copies

[Little Champs]

H 63