Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Book Review - Birdie's Big Girl Shoes


Author: Sujean Rim
Illustrator: Libby Koponen
Publisher: Little, Brown for Young Readers (February 1, 2010)
Reading Level:4 to 8 year olds
Source: Library
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:

Birdie carefully slipped her little toes into one shoe,
then slid into the other.

She looked at herself in the mirror...
and gasped.


Birdie can't wait to be just like her mom. She loves wearing jewelry, spritzing perfume bottles, and dressing up in front of the mirror. But more than anything, Birdie fantasizes about her mother's fancy high-heels. She can't wait to try them on and do all the things she likes to do wearing beautiful "big-girl shoes."

Little girls will love walking with Birdie as she spends a day in her mother's shoes, but in the end they may find that, like Birdie, they like their "barefoot shoes" best of all.

With playful watercolors and clever textured cut-paper designs, this precious picture book will speak to every little girl who longs to be a "big-girl".


I know...this is a "girl book". I have been trying to find some more books for boys but happened upon this one and wanted to share it. Most girls remember a time when they put on their mothers' jewelry, clothes, lipstick, perfume, and of course, her high heels. This book does a great job in capturing exactly what it felt like being little and wanting to wear your mom's stuff.

The text to this book is actually very simple and straight forward. Catchy in some ways. However, it was the illustrations that really caught my attention. Bright and colorful against the white backdrop. Birdie's smaller, rounder shape is in contrast with her mother's more angular almost Hepburn-esque style. Birdie's bare feet with painted toenails offer another contrast to the angular stylized shoes. Additionally, the pictures display Birdie's struggle to play and romp in her mother's stilettos in contrast with her enthusiasm when she kicks off her heels and discovers that bare feet are just perfect for dancing, twirling, and jumping all around.

Though this may not be a book I add to my personal collection, it is one that would make a great gift to that special little girl in your life.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~