By: Maribeth Boelts Publisher: Candlewick Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Candlewick Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 40 Publication Date: September 11, 2007 Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Release Date: September 11, 2007
Product Description: But all the kids are wearing them! Any child who has ever craved something out of reach will relate to this warm, refreshingly realistic story.
"I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes."
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.
A great lesson for kids and a wonderful reminder for parents I have 4 kids. The oldest three boys are 9, 6, and 4. I read this to them last night and I was really moved. We discussed the book and they really heard the message that you can't always get everything you want and that there is a very big difference between a want and a need. Being so close to Christmas it was a great conversation opener about what they want for Christmas and what they can reasonably expect. We also discussed and shared times when other people had what we wanted, times when we were envious, and also how much better it feels to be generous and kind! I struggle all the time as a parent to impress upon my children these very ideas and this book brought it home so easily! READ THIS BOOK! Also, I love how the boy lives with his grandmother but it not overemphasized and there is no discussion on why his family consists of just him and her. That is just how real life is sometimes and I appreciate that realistic fact being inserted!
Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children Just about every boy at school seemed to be wearing those black high-tops with two white stripes, and Jeremy wanted a pair also. Unfortunately Grandma remained firm about only paying for needs, not wants, and Jeremy needed a new pair of winter boots. To add insult to injury, when one of Jeremy's shoes fell apart at school, the only replacement available from the guidance counselor's supply box was a pair of children's Velcro sneakers with a cartoon animal on the side. Even Jeremy's idea of buying his dream high-tops at a local thrift shop backfired when the one pair in stock fit so poorly that they hurt his feet. Little did Jeremy realize that those thrift-store high-tops held the key to a deeper understanding of generosity and friendship.
This clever book contains a powerful lesson about differentiating between wants and needs in the face of tight budget constraints. At the same time, the subtle text and expressive illustrations communicate clearly a child's desire to conform. At a time when expensive shoes have become a high-status consumption good, Those Shoes comes out a winner for telling an appealing story to which readers across age groups can relate.
A Lesson in Needs and Wants This book is a great addition to any teacher's library. It teaches about needs and wants and helping others.
A Sensitive, Beautifully told story. A great story,presented in a simple, easy to embrace style. I don't think there are many children or adults who won't be able to identify with Jeremy, the main character. I literally well up with tears EACH time I read it to my class.
The perfect friendship/compassion book. This is a magical book that always works for school-aged kids, even the ones that think they are too cool to have someone read to them.
When I read it to a group, I ask, "Have you ever not gotten what you wanted, even if you thought you really needed it? How did that make you feel?" Even the "privileged" kids can relate.
Without being syrupy, this is the story of a kid who is just getting by; he wants the cool shoes the other kids have and knows he can never have them. He finds them--sort of, they are too small--in a consignment shop and manages to buy them, desperate to fit in. Meanwhile, the only kid who didn't laugh at him a few days ago doesn't have any shoes, either. Without giving too much away, I'll say the story ends with compassion and dignity. It's also miraculously brief; every word is important.
Since I am a librarian, I often have parents or teachers asking me for books on friendship. I've never seen one as well-written as this, and the illustrations round out the story perfectly.
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