Those Shoes: (An Uplifting Tale of Friendship, Generosity, Facing Peer Pressure, and Making Thoughtful Choices - For Kids Ages 4-8)

"In this witty, wise picture book, Boelts presents a kid’s-eye view of a consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he 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 soon sees 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.

Maribeth Boelts is the author of many books for young readers, including Happy Like Soccer, illustrated by Lauren Castillo, A Bike Like Sergio’s, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, and Kaia and the Bees, illustrated by Angela Dominguez. Maribeth Boelts lives in Iowa.

Noah Z. Jones is the illustrator of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett, as well as Those Shoes and A Bike Like Sergio’s, both written by Maribeth Boelts. He is also the creator of the animated television series Fish Hooks, Almost Naked Animals, and Pickle and Peanut. Noah Z. Jones lives in Southern California.