RASCHKA, Chris. New Shoes. illus. by Chris Raschka. 32p. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Jun. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062657527.

PreS-Gr 1 –Who doesn’t love getting new shoes? This simple joyous celebration of a trip to the shoe store is narrated by an anonymous young child. Raschka’s signature watercolor-and-gouache illustrations depict only legs, feet, and hands to move the story along. “Mommy is going to put my shoes on me. Hee-hee.” Not only do the shoes in question have holes in two places, but a quick measure at the store reveals that “My feet are bigger than before!” The narrator chooses two pairs to try: the first pair “are a little pinchy right there” but the red sneakers are comfy and perfect for running. The child can’t wait to show the cherished new shoes to a friend. Short sentences, controlled vocabulary, and bold white print against a color-saturated background make this a perfect choice for preschoolers as well as new readers. This is also a great choice for kindergarten units on personal narrative. VERDICT A lovely, original book about a familiar rite of growing up, perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.–Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools

This review was published in the School Library Journal June 2018 issue.