What Can You Do with Only One Shoe?: Reuse, Recycle, Reinvent

Gr 1–4—After looking at the cover art and title, readers may be surprised to open this book and discover a collection of poems, rather than the presumed kid-friendly how-to guide to reinventing and upcycling. Each spread showcases a unique use of discarded materials (such as a metal can guitar, jean purse, or shopping cart chair) with a corresponding poem. The simple, accessible poems often provide a touch of humor to keep readers entertained ("Sometimes it's quite dull/'til you're bombed by a gull/and you find you have bird/doo-doo right on your hull!"). However, there is no mention of necessary supplies or instructions to building one's own version. In addition, enlisting adult assistance or following safety guidelines is never suggested, despite highlighted activities that involve nailing shoes to trees, welding metal bike parts, or repurposing a pitchfork into a garden table. Some of the websites provided in the list of photo credits direct readers to places to purchase the photographed creations rather than providing how-to instructions. This title is first and foremost a book of poetry rather than a recycling activity book, but it could be used to initiate a discussion on reusing materials in nontraditional ways.—Meaghan Darling, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ