Poetry Review 1 - Shoe Magic

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki. 2000. SHOE MAGIC. Ill. By Terry Widener. New York:

Orchard Books. ISBN 0531302865.


PLOT SUMMARY
Grimes has put together a diverse sample of shoes in which the characters in the different poems use as the promise of different careers, sports and recreational activities. The imagination supplied in this work is magnified by the acrylic paintings provided by Terry Widener. The bright happy full page illustrations give a foot-perspective of each person with the different shoes. The voice changes with different poems from first to third person, giving a more personal feeling to the text. The evidence of strong persona can be distinguished as in RUNNING SHOES where a red-headed boy dreams of running in the Olymics. The poem tells us that the boy believes the first step would be owning a pair of fancy running shoes. But, alas, “But my poor pockets/Are only lined with lint./ I could take the hint,/up my dreaming./But words from Daddy/Once whispered in secret/Send my doubts/Into hasty retreat::/”It’s not the shoes/That do the runnin’./It’s the feet.”/

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book would have appeal to an elementary audience, K-4th grade. The universality of this collection of shoe linked to dream poems shines through as the dreams of becoming are usually on the minds of children. This gives meaning to the text based on a young child’s experiences. The illustrations are divided between full single pages of painting with the poem on the opposite page set against a stark white background and double spread full color pages wit hthe poem typed directly onto the painting. This latter presentation makes a stronger statement and appeal to the audience.

The sense imagery invoke sight through delightful illustrations, depicting slightly enlarged shoes with prominent placement in the picture as well as through the text, as in BRANDI’S BABY SHOES “Why Mom keeps/My bronze baby shoes/Buffed and brilliant/On the mantel/Is a mystery.” The sense of touch is summoned in SOFT SOLES “You bathe fevered foreheads/Give needles with care” and WHEN DEVIN AND DINA GO HIKING “We’ll dine on berries,/Sip morning dew.” Provides the sense of taste.
The language is fairly straightforward with very little figurative examples, which, would also appeal to audiences of children.



REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Review (September 15, 2000)
“The sunny tone is matched in Widener's acrylics with round-headed, rubber-limbed children of all ethnicities wearing oversized footgear, exuberantly dancing, skiing, skating, swimming, or (it's not all about choosing a career) playing. Dreamers and doers both will find inspiration here. “

School Library Journal (October 2000)
“Using their footwear as points of departure, Grimes presents a cycle of poems about kids' everyday lives and dreams for the future. …"Slippers" offers a fitting benediction at the end of a child's busy day: "Rest your soles./Spread your toes./Curl, breathe deep./There now, Dreamer,/Hush-/Sleep."
“Widener's exuberant acrylic paintings capture the joys and hopes expressed in each of the poems. A multicultural cast of boys and girls engage in sports activities, perform onstage, and enjoy the outdoors. This collection clearly celebrates its child readers.”


CONNECTIONS
Could serve as a great springboard for boosting self-esteem, discussing dreams and aspirations.
Appeal would reach a very young audience, yet possibly disinterest from 5th grade and up because their understanding “what I want to be when I grow up” is much more realistic.
Great diversity tool with boys and girls and different ethnic backgrounds represented in many different roles.