New Shoes

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2018

Review

With her characteristic pop-eyed animal characters, simple text, and bright, full-page spreads, Varon brings readers into the South American jungle with an assist from George Boorujy and his illustrated guidebook. Francis the donkey makes shoes of the finest ingredients, one of which is strong tiger grass. When his friend Nigel the spider monkey, purveyor of this main ingredient, goes missing, and Francis is commissioned to make a pair of shoes for his favorite calypso singer, Francis must leave his secure, insular world to venture into the jungle to find the wayward monkey. Francis and the reader meet the various animals, ecosystems, and vegetation of the jungle and learn that they are not so scary once you get to know them. You can almost hear the calypso and taste the star apples as you accompany Francis on his journey. The lesson of growth and the acquisition of understanding that comes when we engage with the world and talk with others who look different from us or who live in different environments than we do is appropriate for many ages. By leaving his small world and venturing into the wider one, Francis gains new friends and a greater sense of self and belief in his abilities. Fans of Varon, lovers of graphic novels, and animal enthusiasts will delight in this offering.

Overall Book Score: very good