Noah Z. Jones

This book is fantastic! I initially came across it on a list of picture books that introduce kids to the concepts of poverty and homelessness. I think this is a very important topic for kids to learn that they often don’t until they are older, which causes many misconceptions in their early interactions with others.

Those Shoes tells the story of a boy who needs new shoes and really wants the ones that everyone else is wearing, you know: the high tops with the stripes on the sides. The show more shoes that make you look cool, and supposedly even run faster! But when his grandma can’t afford the shoes he wants, they decide to try and find them at local thrift stores. They go from store to store and finally find a pair that are perfect aside from the fact that they are too small. Still, Jeremy shoves his feet in and tries to wear the shoes. This of course end up working against the point of shoes and is hurting his feet. When Jeremy sees another boy in his class that also doesn’t seem to have enough money to afford new shoes, and whose feet are a little smaller than his, he eventually decides to give him the shoes. They are a perfect fit for his classmate and Jeremy is happy to see it even after he struggled with whether to give them up or not. Jeremy learns to be grateful for the snug, functional boots his grandma got him when it snows at the end of the book.

This book covers so many topics that are important for kids to see in books. First of all is the obvious topic of poverty and how there will be things your family won’t always be able to afford but you can still find ways to get what you need. Another topic is that of wanting the popular fads. We have all wanted something so bad before just because it’s what everyone else had, but it didn’t make that thing any better once we actually got it. The shoes were just shoes, and they weren’t even particularly suited for the season. Yet another great thing shown here is that Jeremy seems to live with just his grandma, so she is providing for them on her own and it shows a different family type other than the “nuclear” one that is more typically shown. I also really appreciate that instead of just giving his shoes over, it showed Jeremy really struggle with it at first. It’s not always easy to give up that idea of something you really wanted even though it would be better for someone else.

I also enjoyed the illustrations and would overall highly recommend this book as being both a great story and having super important topics for kids to learn about! show less

Those Shoes is a wonderful book. The most notable thing about the book for me was how it would be relatable for a child who doesn't normally find relatable books. The protagonist is Black, he lives with his grandma in an urban setting, they only have money for "needs" not "wants," and he desperately wants new, expensive shoes so he can fit in with the other boys. The story is heartwarming as he finally gives his too-small shoes to a boy who needs them, a boy who never laughed at his ugly show more shoes. There are so many benefits to reading this book to a group of young students. show less

This book made me all misty eyed when it was read aloud to us in class. I really felt for the boy when his caregiver couldn’t buy him the latest shoes. And then when all they could find for him in the school box was those baby shoes omg, I bet he would have rather been shoeless. That’s almost worse and don’t adults know that? Like get the kid some plain shoes before you downgrade him to toddler looking lion shoes. No wonder he was going to buy the fad shoes no matter how small they show more were. I really liked how it ended of course I thought that was so sweet he gave his shoes to someone even poorer than him. Again, a great tool as an empathy lesson. show less

Maribeth Boelts, the author of "Those Shoes," uses a relatable and understandable way of explaining poverty to children. Jeremy is dying to get "those shoes" that all his classmates are wearing. When the shoes he already owns break, he is hopeful that his Grandmother will get him the "those shoes." He is disappointed when he has to settle with the kid-like shoes his guidance counselor provides. He is overcome with joy when he finds "those shoes" in a thrift store, but is heartbroken when show more they are too small. He buys them anyway and pretends they fit. After a while, he is unable to stand the pain of his smushed toes. He notices his friend, Brandon, does not have "those shoes" and the shoes he has are falling apart. He debates on wether or not to give him the shoes, but ultimately makes the right decision and gives his friend his shoes.
I can relate to this story because when I was younger, I remember not having things that the "popular" girls would wear. This was not because we could not afford it, but my mom told me that she was not spending extra money on "fancy things" when the important aspect was, "was it functional?" At the time, I was always mortified by my walmart shoes or hand-me-down clothes from my cousin, but looking back I appreciate her for helping me not be so materialistic. Although Jeremy's situation was different, I think a lot of children can relate to not having something that their friends have. The author's purpose is to explain to children that it is okay to not have the latest trend, it matters who you are on the inside. show less