Chris Isaac P7 Book review 11 – ‘Shoes from Grandpa’ by Mem Fox

[Cisaac]

‘Shoes from Grandpa’ by Mem Fox

‘Shoes from Grandpa’ is a lovingly illustrated poem by Mem Fox about a girl who receives a new pair of new shoes form her grandfather. In turn other members of her family buy or make her new clothes to go with this new pair of shoes as she has out grown her old clothes. The poem has underlying themes of growing up, changing, giving, sharing and love in family units. These are all easily accessible themes that can be explored in and RE or humanities lessons. The story also lends itself nicely as a plenary to teaching students with EAL about clothing and colours. Teachers may also want to use this simple but poetic piece of literature to explore rhythm and rhyme with key stage one students.
What I like about this story are the sentiments that run through the poem and the accompanying illustrations. Teachers may wish check students’ comprehension through sequencing of pictures and events and to invite their students to write they own verse to the poem. I would recommend this poem to reception and year one teachers.