 Loading...  | New shoes for Leo Author: Deedy, Lauren Agra | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Every year William's family sends a package of food, clothing, and medicine to their family in Cuba, but this year they realize they have forgotten to include new shoes for Leo.
| Illustrator: | Gal, Susan |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (01/15/25)
School Library Journal (05/30/25)
Booklist (+) (00/12/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 03/17/2025 In this jubilant, dialogue-driven story with a "Cinderella"-like arc, a child seeks to help family by searching for a much-needed item. Every month, William watches as Mami and T?a Ana bring home goods to mail from the U.S. to relatives in Cuba. Eager to help, William is tasked to find "zapatos, shoes, for your cousin Leo. He has outgrown his, and there is no money left to buy more." Given a tracing of Leo’s foot, William visits the apartments of his relatives to see if their feet match the outline of Leo’s, and learns that Leo has freckles, likes to draw, and loves baseball-just like William. The bold strokes, scribbles, and textures of Gal’s exuberant pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations amplify Deedy’s energetic prose as William, family member by family member, devotedly works toward a moment of personal generosity. Creators’ notes and a glossary of Spanish words conclude. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) - Copyright 2025
School Library Journal - 05/30/2025 Gr 1–4—William's family is packing a box to send to family members in Cuba, and William has a very special job: trying to find some shoes for his cousin Leo. On his quest, William talks to neighbors and family but all their zapatos are too big or too tall, and none are just right. As he learns more about his cousin Leo, he realizes that they have a lot more in common than he thought. There may be someone who can give shoes to Leo after all! Author and illustrator share stories from their childhoods of packing boxes for family living abroad, and that lived experience shines through. The illustrations are dynamic and have a sketched quality that combines with the watercolor medium to add movement to each page. A bright, tropical palette captures the vibrant personality of William's neighborhood. There is also a glossary in the back with pronunciations and translations for the Spanish words sprinkled throughout the story. VERDICT Recommended for all collections: the playful illustrations bring this story of family transcending borders to life. In a window and mirrors moment, the themes of the book encourage empathy and understanding.—Shelby Hogle - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
