Two Shoes, Blue Shoes, New Shoes

by Sally Fitz-Gibbon, Farida Zaman (Illustrator)

What can be better than a pair of new shoes? Not just any new pairs of shoes, but new, blue shoes. A brand new pair of shoes can hop and skip to school better than anything. While they are at it, these new shoes can race and swing on a rope and tap out a tune. And if you really let them get going, new shoes can run away with your imagination and take you on a wild and crazy ride. Nobody is as proud of her shiny new footwear as this little girl, who bounces and dances her way through a magical adventure that only two, new, blue shoes can find. Author, Sally Fitz-Gibbon has captured her heart of a child in this roller-coaster ride of a story. Her verse sings off the page in a lilting rhythm that will get little feet tapping away in time. New Jersey artist Farida Zaman uses New York's Central Park as a backdrop for her lively illustrations, an irresistible blend of warmly familiar and ever-so-slightly absurd.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right away I fall in like with the picture of the heroine; there she is, suspense avoided, on the title page. Right away, I can tell that I like her, thanks to that first illustration.

Likewise, I really, really, like that title.

Writing nerds can appreciate the sequence of two, then blue, then new. And thus, this magnificent example of kid-lit gets off to a really promising start (for me, at least).

Such an adventure! And the rhymes swing us readers along so beautifully!

In this adventure tale, imagination takes over soon into the journey. In my experience, this often happens with children. When we well-adjusted adults take care of young children, we're reminded of how to do this. Hooray!

Also, what a relief it is, taking a vacay from our adult reality and all the responsibilities and pressures in adult life. Imagine, we're doing all this without being led by TV.

PERSONAL CONFESSION HERE

I'm one of those fans of "Sex and the City" who watched every episode, every season: watched it at least once. Not that I'm exactly proud of it, just that I enjoyed many things about that series.

To get to the point, I never could understand all the fascination with shoes. Manolo Blahnik stilettos, various other pricey shoes -- and always shoes that looked way uncomfortable to wear.

To me, in those episodes, designer shoes seemed nearly as important as the big-deal actors. Well, I never-ever understood that. But the blue shoes in this story? You bet I understand them.

* Thank you, author Sally Fitz-Gibbon. (And I so appreciate your placing the entire shoe poem on the last page.)

* And thank you, artist Farida Zaman. (Especially I like how you portrayed the school; so much life was packed into that double page spread.)

[feux d'artifice · Rating 2 out of 5]

utterly forgettable

[Audrey Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to read this out loud since some of the rhymes are slightly tongue-twisty.

[Viviane Elbee]

A jovial little girl is super excited about her brand new blue shoes and imagines all the adventures she will have with them

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can be better than a new pair of shoes? Not just any new pair of shoes, but new, blue shoes. A brand new pair of shoes can hop and skip to school better than anything. While they are at it, these new shoes can race and swing on a rope and tap out a tune. And if you really let them get going, new shoes can run away with your imagination and take you on a wild and crazy ride.
Nobody is as proud of her shiny new footwear as this little girl, who bounces and dances her way through a magical adventure that only two, new, blue shoes can find.
Author Sally Fitz-Gibbon has captured the heart of a child in this roller-coaster ride of a story. Her verse sings off the page in a lilting rhythm that will get little feet tapping away in time. New Jersey artist Farida Zaman uses New York's Central Park as a backdrop for her lively illustrations, an irresistible blend of warmly familiar and ever-so-slightly absurd.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun rhyming book with colorful art full of movement. There is a question that must be raised about stereotype because it is a little girl who loves shoes so much, and the illustrator's dedication at the beginning was to "all little girls (and big girls, too) who love shoes!" but not to little (or big) boys. However, the main text did not pander to this - the shoes were an entree into a large diversity of activities. There were all different kinds of people wearing shoes, and animals involved in the activities. Plus, the poem had a catchy cadence and rhyme. So, one star off as a caution for stereotypes, but otherwise a safe book!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful walk through the city on a childs way to school. Teaches excitment for school,counting, colors, and neighborhoods. Ages 3-5

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice little ryhming story about a little girl, her shoes, and going for a walk to school.