Review: Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes

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Title: Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes
Author: Larry Peterson
Genre: Children’s picture book
Publisher: Tribute Books
Physical Description: 24-page hardcover
List Price: $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-9822565-7-2
For More Info: http://www.slipperywillie.com
Book Preview:  http://www.freado.com/read/9129/slippery-willies-stupid-ugly-shoes
To Buy:  http://tribute-books.com/shop.html#children8


Synopsis:

Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."

Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.

About the Author:

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Esme’s Comment:


If the other kids were making fun of somebody, I would hug him and make him feel better.


What Mom Liked:

Having had my own share of required “paraphernalia” when I was a kid, I loved this fun look at a serious topic.  Waaay back in college, I wrote a story for a marketing class project about a girl who had to wear a back brace.  While the story had a similar message to this one, I love the author’s idea here of using a “silly” difference – slippery feet – to make it 1) applicable to just about any difference and 2) nonthreatening to those who do have specific differences.

The illustrations fit the the comical exaggerated storyline perfectly.

This book would serve as a great resource for kids who have differences (isn’t that most of us?), as well as for kids who need a little assistance empathizing with others.  The suggested activities and discussion questions at the end drive the lesson home.

Esmé had no problem following the story.  While the story is a great fit for lower-grade students, the illustrations on every other page keep the attention of smaller ones like her.  Little touches like Mom catching Willie with a butterfly net were perfect for Esmé to relate to.

What Mom Didn't Like: 

Got nothing for you…

Thanks to Tribute Books for the review e-copy of this book.