Those Shoes

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Family Financial Difficulties

Author/authors: Maribeth Boelts

Year of Publication: 2007

Book Title: Those Shoes

ISBN #: 0805070796

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 25

Quality of illustrations: Good

Brief summary: A young boy really wants a pair of cool shoes that everyone else in his school seems to have. His grandma tells him that they don't have enough money, and he really needs new snow boots. The school counselor gives him a pair of shoes with a stupid cartoon character that embarasses him. He finally decides to look at thrift stores for the popular shoes and ends up buying a pair that is too small for him with his own money. He wears them for a few days before they hurt his feet too much. When a friend comes over and sees them, he considers giving them to his him since his feet are smaller. It takes him awhile, but he finally decides to do it.

Personal opinion: It is somewhat simplistic, but it encourages a good attitude of giving. It also encourages kids to be satisfied with whatever situation they are in.

Activity: Create some sort of activity with monopoly money and a pretend economy where the child has to buy important things like food, a house, or a car before they can buy fun things like toys or candy. Talk with the child to help them understand that sometimes when we buy really important things, there isn't very much money left over for fun things. Talk about why parents can't buy them fun toys sometimes, then talk about what things we can't buy, but can have anyway (generosity, love, friendship, working hard in school)