My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders / Mis zapatos y yo: Cruzando tres fronteras

by Rene Colato Lainez, Fabricio Vanden Broeck (Illustrator)

The experiences of young migrant children traveling to the United States are poignantly portrayed in this bilingual picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, Immigration, Latinx, Spanish Literature, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

René Colato Laínez is the Salvadoran award winning author of I Am René, the Boy/ Soy René, el niño, Waiting for Papá/ Esperando a Papá, and Playing Lotería/ El juego de la lotería. His picture books have been honored by the Latino Book Award, the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, the California Collection for Elementary Readers, the Tejas Star Book Award Selection and the New Mexico Book Award. He was named “Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch (and Read)” by latinostories.com. René is a graduate of the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults.

His goal as a writer is to produce good multicultural children's literature; stories where minority children are portrayed in a positive way, where they can see themselves as heroes, and where they can dream and have hopes for the future. He wants to write authentic stories of Latin American children living in the United States.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, relevant picture book for older kids. Mario and his father are leaving home in El Salvador to rejoin Mario's mother in the United States. Mario gets brand new shoes for the journey, and the story is told through what happens to his shoes (and thus, to him) all the way through three countries into the US.

The only thing I wished for was a little bit more background on why Mario's family was separated, and why he and his father needed to make the dangerous journey. But this is a great one to read with elementary-age kids as they learn about refugees and immigrants.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a young author, this is the story of his travels by foot from El Salvador to the United States in order to escape the violence in his country. The story is told through the eyes of a new pair of shoes his mother has sent him. This story is in both English and Spanish which would be great for elementary students who are learning one or both languages.

[Chelsea Bucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy named Mario is traveling from El Salvador to America with his father. His mother is in the U.S., anxiously awaiting their arrival. She sends Mario new shoes for his long journey ahead. He and his father walk, ride buses, climb mountains, and cross rivers through 3 country borders in order to get to America. Throughout their journey, Mario has faith that his shoes will be able to "take him anywhere" safely. He even says, "Don't worry shoes, we will cross the finish line."

This is a great story to teach students the difficulties of migration as well as having hope and confidence throughout the journey. It also teaches students about perseverance and courage.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bilingual picture book detailing what it takes for a refugee to get to safety, supported by his shoes bought just for this journey (El Salvador to the US).

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Spanish and English, the author, René Colato Lainez, tells his own story of his travel from El Salvador with his father to join his mother, already in the US. The shoes were sent to him by his mother for the journey and he uses them to tell that tale. Those shoes experience so much, become 'swimming shoes' when a trailer they stayed in flooded. They pick up a nail that makes a hole and keep him going when the mountains are high and they are so tired. Cruzando Tres Fronteras's art fills the pages with the colors of motion and fatigue, happiness and danger. They travel three countries; Papa once loses his wallet and they must stop while he works to earn some money. While it's hard to imagine the perils faced on these trips, we know that even now a Papá and his son are making the journey, perhaps with new shoes!

[Paulinh Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells a story of a young boy and his father finding their way to meet their mother that’s in the United States. With the shoes that his mom gave him, he uses it as a tool to guide the readers what he’s been through. The shoes was used as a metaphor to explain what difficulties and challenges he went through in that journey. Through the rocks, hills, fences, mud, you’d presume the hard obstacles he had to go through to reach for that better life, something most immigrants can relate to. This book provides great illustrations that you could almost feel as if you’re traveling with him. This book did a great job sharing an experience of people crossing here that truly shows real situation that many students can relate to or if not; better understand how hard it is for someone to go through that

[Catalina Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you on an adventure of the main character and their special pair of shoes as they embark on a journey from El Salvador to the United States. The storytelling is so vivid and relatable, making you feel like you're right there experiencing everything alongside the characters. It's a powerful tale of resilience, hope, and the importance of family. The illustrations are colorful and captivating. I recommend this book for children in the age range of 5 to 8 years old. This book will leave you feeling inspired and appreciative of the journeys we all take in life.

[Kayleigh D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could be an essential book to use in diverse learning environments to provide opportunities to share valuable perspectives. It could benefit as being a mirror to the lives of some students and/or their families stories. Whether it be crossing from one country, state, or city to another - this book emphasizes the raw reality and strength that comes alongside life's journies. (4 Stars because I wish it was printed in different languages).

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who thinks some topics are too tough for kids to grasp just needs to pick up a picture book. The way this story shows the journey of someone crossing borders through the perspective of a boy and his new pair of shoes (that are not so new by the end) is just perfect. The movement in the illustrations really add to the feel of the shoes moving through each new leg of the journey. All around great read

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy, Rene, and his father make the perilous journey from El Salvador to the United States where the boy’s mother is awaiting their arrival. Luckily, for Christmas, his mama sent Rene a sturdy pair of shoes, which accompany them on their journey, the shoes reflecting the hardships of their travels.

Based on the events of the author, as explained in an author’s note at the back.

[Janine Darragh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated aspects of this story about a boy and his father leaving El Salvador to reunite with his mother in the United States. In comparison to the many other immigrant stories I have read, however, this one felt a bit incomplete and vague to me.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story focuses on the travel of immigration and what you would do for your family. The son and father had to walk a lot to get to their mother who was far away. He wore the shoes that she sent him from the United States for Christmas.

[Kyla Klym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book is very sweet and has an inspiring story about moving countries that I think young kids could relate to. The illustrations are well done and I think that a lot of students would like this book because of its message.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

No child should have to endure a journey like Rene Colato Lainez' (and so many many other children) to be with their parents. This is an emotional story that shows the great resilience and love that drives families to be together against all odds.

[Debbie Brueggemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but uplifting. These people are leaving a terrible country to find shelter and work in our country.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely and touching immigrant story told through the POV of a child. Was a good conversation starter with my child on the dangers and issues facing immigrants today.

[Gus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember much about this book but I was glad when the boy saw his mom.

[Matias]

EL PRIMER LIBRO QUE LEÍ SIN AYUDA DE LAS TRADUCCIONES

[Bibliobibuli-Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read children's book. I loved it!

[Denicemarcell]

for Godly Play yes

[Lupe Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to use to help explain immigration to a child.

[Roselyn Mathis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book can provide a glimpse of the importance of a pair of shoes for a long journey. It expanded my point of view of a pair of shoes. Story of courage and determination. I recommend this story for everyone.

[Hugo Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rene Colato Lainez did an excellent job telling his own story about coming to the United States. In the book he tells the reader how he got new shoes and he begins this journey through three countries to make it to the United States. He tells all the hardship this people go through as they make their way for a better life in the United States. Its a powerful story and makes you think, what would you do if you were placed in the same situation as he was. I read it to my third graders and they loved it!

[Carolina Combetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is based on the author Colato Laínez’ own migration journey, traveling with his father from El Salvador through Guatemala and Mexico to the US. Together, the boy and his father walk across valleys, climb up mountains, take a two day bus ride to Mexico City, sleep in an old, dark trailer for a few days. Finally, they are able to swim across the Rio Grande to reunite with the boy's mother, who is waiting for them on the other side. A new pair of shoes that his mother sent him, help the little boy go through this very difficult and long journey. It gave him the strength to get to the finish line, even when his shoes started to get holes, rip, and get full of mud. His story sheds light on the journey that many migrant children have to go through in order to get to the United States for a better life and reunite with family. It is not an easy journey, but with determination and an end goal, anything is possible.

[Vamos a Leer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Shoes and I by René Colato Laínez brings to light the tragic reality that many first- and second-generation immigrant children must deal with: family separation.

This book, reminiscent of an adventure story, depicts the journey that Mario undergoes with his father across Central America to reunite with his mother in the U.S. The book delicately includes a glimpse of the dangerous aspects of this migration that Mario endures, such as being chased by dogs, escaping out of a flooded trailer, and crossing a raging river. As Mario’s shoes deteriorate, he does not give up on them, but rather sings them a lullaby and reassures them that they will make it.

The book provides a happy ending in which Mario and his father reunite with his mother just as he crosses the border into U.S. territory. His story reveals to the reader how difficult and tiring it truly is to cross the border, an experience that many children across American classrooms today have actually gone through. Though the story depicts a controversial act of ‘unauthorized’ migration, the author avoids any politically tinged details or comments; instead, he makes the story all about reuniting family, something that every reader can agree upon and understand.
To read our full review including links to classroom resources, visit the Vamos a Leer blog at http://tiny.cc/vamosaleer

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 3 out of 5]

SUMMARY: Mario's mama lives in the United States. He lives in El Salvador. She sends him a new pair of shoes for the journey he and his father will make to the U.S. They cross 3 countries by bus and by foot. All the while his shoes hold strong until they can cross the finish line together.

ILLUSTRATIONS: The painting style of the artist makes each page look like a mural on a wall with a slightly washed out look. They are nicely detailed.

THE GOOD: The author uses lyrical and descriptive prose that gives you a feel for the long journey. The wear on the shoes also shows you how hard the journey was.
THE NOT AS GOOD: First, I was quite uncomfortable that this picture book for children was detailing an illegal border crossing into the U.S. Yes, father and son took a long hard journey to reunite with the mother, but what they did was wrong and I would have a very hard time explaining to a child why it is okay in a picture book, but not in real life. Also, there was quite an emphasis on the shoes. This type of metaphor may go over the heads of many children.

AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertized for ages 7-9

[Maria Ambrosini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favorite books! A young boy and his father start their journey to travel to the United States from El Salvador in order to meet the mother. The mother had sent the boy some shoes which he used to travel with. It was very easy to follow what struggles they had to go through on their journey because he would use the shoes to explain the obstacles he was going through. For example, if he walked through mud, he would explain what had happened to the shoes. I believe the author did a great job by using the shoes to explain the journey because it made it easier to understand. The book had beautiful illustrations that help students visualize what is happening. A lot of times, there's a stereotype that only Mexicans are the ones that cross the border walking like the characters in the book. I really liked the fact that he used people from another country to show this real life situation that many people go through.

[Xicana · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting this author I am just enamored with his brilliant methods of expression. This book is a treasure to all communities. We can celebrate the immigrant voice and learn from the hardships of what it really means to come to a country with many anti-immigrant laws and barriers. Colato Lainez is truly a motivating force to our children and communities. This book tells of the journeys that many loved ones have taken to get to another country. Through the eyes of young Colato Lainez we witness his journey to the United States. With his father, he makes it all while alluding metaphors through his shoes. My Shoes and I, is a read that awakens the human spirit through the realities of human existence as we live or read of it today.

[The Book Maven · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can overlook the fact that this is, at heart, a story of undocumented people crossing into the United States illegally (and this is a statement of fact, not an opinion), you’ll see a richly-illustrated story of a boy and his father trekking from El Salvador to America and enduring all sorts of dangers in order to make a better life. The author (and the boy) focus on the boy’s new shoes, gradually becoming more dirty and worn, as a metaphor for the endurance of the boy and his father.

If you’re not a person who gets passionate about illegal immigration, this would be a good book to share with your child to illustrate the hardships that people endure to come to America.

[Sara L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Shoes and I/MIS Zapatos Y Yo: Crossing Three Borders/Cruzando Tres Fronteras is a great bilingual picture book that tells a true and sad story of many boys who took a dangerous journey from El Salvador (Central America) to the U.S. (during the civil war). Although nowadays boys from Central America are not escaping from wars, many young people are escaping from other issues. This book can be read to children to teach about immigration issues in our society that have been happening for centuries and has accelerated in the last few years. This book also can be used to build empathy.