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Thursday, March 24, 2011

BLOG TOUR: Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson

Happy Thursday everyone!
Today Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers is proud to play host to a book tour thanks to Tribute Books featuring a rather unique Children’s Storybook.  Unique how you say?  The length, the drawings, the content, the title…take your pick!  There’s really something that stands out about it in all aspects so let’s jump right into it shall we?  Today’s featured book title and blog tour guest is…

by

This is a book about shoes…and who doesn’t LOVE shoes right?  Well, Willie for one, or at the very least his newest pair.  You see, young Willie needs special shoes to stay on his special feet.  Shoes that he won’t just slip out of because when he’s barefoot and fancy free, the sky’s the limit on where he might slide off to next.  Special shoes seem like the best solution to the problem at hand, but will Willie be able to get past his fear of what others might think of them?

Though certainly not words you usually hear in a children’s book (let alone the title…though they do grab your attention), “stupid” and “ugly” aren’t that far off track when describing his new footwear.  Think of a pair of shoes you’ve had that you less-than-loved (me…at the time, black & white saddle shoes….oye….but oh how fun it was when they started coming in PINK and white!)…got the image?  Now add on a lock or two attaching them to your feet….yep, I’d say they probably didn’t get much better now did they?  Didn’t think so, but here’s the real “key”.  It’s not really about the shoes in life or in this book; it’s about something much bigger and closer to home. 

The author gave Willie something so silly, so out there, so hard to accept to illustrate his point in full color literary fun (and the pictures are just that…full color, and wonderfully fun).  People ARE different.  It’s those differences that make us unique.  Without them, well we probably wouldn’t know any better because there would be nothing to compare the vast amount of sameness to, but I can only imagine it’d be fairly humdrum. The rainbow of personalities, personal styles, hair lengths, face shapes, eye colors, talents and so on all add up to a world of beauty that I would much rather live in….wouldn’t you?  So I say, HOORAY for Willie and his slippery feet.  Welcome to the club we call life and prepare for all the adventures that await you.

Author Larry Peterson
As for the story itself, you’ll smile and “aww” your way through this one as Willie and his Mom deal with his special needs.  There was one point where I was in shock at the way an adult at school was interacting with Willie, but it turns out to be something else entirely than how it’s first perceived, lending this reader a sigh of relief when all was revealed (because otherwise, I was going to throttle this adult character… *-*).  After the story comes to an end, the author included a great add on to the learning/reading experience in the form of an Interactive Guide.  In it, there are a few suggested activities and questions for discussion that can be easily utilized by friends, family, and educators to expand the moral of the story into real life experience; something to take advantage of for certain. 

Continuing through the book, you can’t help but take notice of the artwork.  Each one is a work of art and has that distinct quality of a pencil sketch with colored shading bringing them to life straight off the 2D page.  The illustrations are fun, funny, and colorful; always depicting in detail the scenes being described along with the emotions flitting from page to page.  When Willie is “trapped” in his shoes for the first time, his expression is so sad!  It brings a tear to your eye, but no worries readers…it ends on a happy note.

Interested in finding out more about this title or the mind behind it?  I thought you might be.  Make a stop over at the book’s website, read through the book excerpt for a quick introduction, or take a chance and share your thoughts about accepting differences on the book tour blog.  Perhaps you’re a Facebook fan, in which case the author’s page might be of interest.  Still need more?  No worries.  Check out this adorable book trailer featuring Willie….


 


Recommended reading for all ages.  It’s a tad wordier than some storybooks but the wonderful illustrations and powerful message are well worth the read.  So make some time to meet Willie, trust me…you’ll be glad you did.  Ebook copy for review received courtesy of Nicole at Tribute Books.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this amazing publisher, feel free to check out their site, Facebook page, or follow along on Twitter.  Book is available for purchase on the Tribute Books website.  Be sure to check out all the other stops that have been and will be on the tour for more bookish fun.


Until next time…happy reading!


13 comments:

Misha said...

A book about shoes!! How cute! I don't read children's books, but I know my younger cousins would love something like this.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

My friend has just learnt her son needs 'magic' shoes to help with his mobility problems, I'll be sure to let her know about this book as I think it may be a great way to encourage him to think more positively about having to wear the shoes, perhaps it may even give him someone he can at least partly identify with.

Tribute Books said...

Thanks so much Gina for bringing Slippery Willie to life for your blog readers. Your post is filled with fun and enthusiasm. It is a joy to read your thoughts on the book.

And yes - I remember my own days in saddle shoes - great reference! :)

Gina said...

Misha: Good deal!

Petty Witter: Sounds like a very good match Tracy and I think you're right, it could be just that little nudge for him to understand and accept it a little easier.

Gina said...

Tribute Books: Thanks Nicole! It was a pleasure to read and share this title...and hopefully it will encourage others with its wonderful message of acceptance.

(*high five* for being a fellow saddle shoe survivor... ^_^)

Tales of Whimsy said...

Great review! Sounds sweet :)

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

LOL.. I had the same reaction to the teachers

Teresa said...

Great review. I had many similar thoughts when I read it. How could those teachers act that way. While I think that the message of accepting the differences in others is a good one, I didn't care for the execution. Stupid and ugly are both words that I am trying to avoid with my precocious toddler. I would have preferred a more positive spin. Just my two cents.

Gina said...

Juju: Agreed!

Liz: Yes, it was a trying page or two to read....

Teresa: All good points....title threw me when I saw it at first too but I figured there was a point to it (which of course there was). Same deal with the teachers it seems was felt by many a reader (as Liz mentioned it above herself). Commendable steps in keeping your toddler free of "negative" words....so long as you remember (and remind them) that in the outside world that "balance" isn't as easy to control. Thanks for sharing your two cents...always welcome. ^_^

Teresa said...

Good point about the balance and the outside world. I tell you, this parenting stuff is hard and he's growing up much too fast. :)

Gina said...

Teresa: Words echoed by most caring parents. Hats off to you on the great job you're doing! ^_^

The1stdaughter said...

Ahhh...so sweet! Being young is so much harder than I think I really remember. But it is truly hard to accept those differences about ourselves and embrace them instead. Definitely need more books like these! Fabulous review! Love the shoes too! :o)

Anonymous said...

Great review, an adorable children's book.

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