Elizabeth Winthrop

William Joyce

Here are ‘shoes to skate in, shoes to skip in, shoes to turn a double flip in ’ . . . all worn by four tousle-headed active young children. ‘Illustrations keep all the action with the skippers, divers, and doers. Story hour groups will be checking out each other’s footwear after hearing this rollicking rhyming paean to shoes.’ —SLJ. A Reading Rainbow Selection Children’s Books of 1986 (Library of Congress)

Shoes Board Book

Sharon Skinner

Ward Jenkins

Jose dreams of flying. So he buys some rocket shoes and jets into the atmosphere. But all those spins, kicks, and airborne tricks cause such a ruckus that the mayor bans the shoes. Then, during a terrible snowstorm, Jose hears a cry: his neighbor’s in danger–and he can only help her if he flies. Will Jose dare to break the rules and save the day?

Rocket Shoes

Jane Godwin

Anna Walker

When shoes are the only thing you get to pick out yourself, what happens when you lose one of them? A tale of self-expression and friendship, told with humor and charm. With three older brothers to pass along hand-me-downs, Sadie doesn’t have much say in choosing her clothes. Her outfits always look interesting, though (even if some kids at school might not think so). But Sadie is allowed to pick her shoes, so one day she buys the most beautiful shoes ever – shoes that sparkle in the sun, shoes she wears everywhere. That is, until Sadie and her brothers hop down a creek on an adventure, and one shoe falls off and is swept away. Whatever will Sadie do with one silver shoe? From a winning picture-book team comes a story of creativity, resilience, and like-minded souls that is sure to appeal to independent thinkers everywhere.

Sadie and the Silver Shoes

Eva Chen

Derek Desierto

self-discovery

shoes

girl power

Juno Valentine’s favorite shoes don’t light up. They don’t have wheels. They are, to be perfectly honest, the tiniest bit boring. But they’re still her favorite muddy-puddle-jumping, everyday-is-an-adventure shoes. One day, when they go missing, Juno discovers something amazing: a magical room filled with every kind of shoe she could possibly imagine! Juno embarks on an epic journey through time and space, stepping into the shoes of female icons from Frida Kahlo and Cleopatra to Lady Gaga and Serena Williams. Each pair of shoes Juno tries brings a brand new adventure—and a step towards understanding that her very own shoes might be the best shoes of all. Parents and children alike will adore Instagram superstar Eva Chen’s precocious debut picture book—a story that’s equal parts fashion fairy-tale and guide to girl power—and fall in love with the brilliantly spirited Juno Valentine.

Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes

Joan Holub

Leslie Patricelli

After Athena ties Arachne’s shoes for her, Arachne takes the credit for Athena’s hard work. But when their friends ask Arachne to teach them how to tie their shoes, Arachne must admit the truth. So Athena comes to the rescue and teaches everybody this important skill. All is forgiven, and the girls are friends again. Conceived and crafted by Greek-mythology expert Joan Holub and illustrated by the bestselling Leslie Patricelli, this book also includes a summary of the original Arachne myth.

Good Job, Athena!

Olivier Dunrea

Meet Gossie, a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots—every day. One morning Gossie can’t find her beloved boots. She looks everywhere for them: under the bed, over the wall, even in the barn. Preschoolers will enjoy helping Gossie find her red boots and delight in where Gossie finally finds them.

Gossie

Leilani Sparrow

Dan Taylor

Get ready to buy some new shoes in this fun follow-up to My First Day, now available as a board book! My feet are growing. What great news! It’s time to buy a pair of shoes. In this simple introduction to buying a new pair of shoes, a little bear shops for shoes with his dad. He gets his feet measured and imagines all the different sorts of shoes people buy, such as sneakers, high heels, rain boots, sandals, light-up shoes, even shoes that look like sharks! This follow-up to the well-received My First Day is filled with short, fun, and rhyming text with lots of rhythm and adorable animal characters to share in the experience.

My New Shoes

Jennifer Wojtowicz

Steve Adams

being yourself

being different

friendship

Rink is a very unusual boy who grows beautiful flowers all over his body whenever the moon is full. In town and at school, Rink and his family are treated as outcasts although no-one knows his strange botanical secret. But one day a new girl arrives at sc

The Boy Who Grew Flowers

Eric Litwin

James Dean

Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes! But no matter what color his shoes are, Pete keeps movin’ and groovin’ and singing his song . . . because it’s all good.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Socks

Keith Calabrese

Juana Medina

Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts kindergarten. She is very excited. But there’s just one problem… Lena’s shoes are nervous. Lena doesn’t want to miss out on her first day of school, but she can’t go without her favorite shoes! How can she convince them to be brave?

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous

Audrey Wood

When Matthew trades his shoelaces for magic ones that never come untied, he soon discovers that this has some disadvantages.

Magic Shoelaces

Caron Levis

Vanessa Brantley-Newton

All about the adjustment a toddler makes when her mother returns to work, this humorous picture book takes on a big emotional milestone with a light hand. Perry knows all of Mama’s shoes. She knows that the zip-zup shoes are for skipping and swinging in the park. She knows that the pat-put shoes are for splishing and splashing in the rain. And she knows that no-shoes are for bath time and bedtime. But, one morning Mama puts on click-clack shoes, and Perry wonders what these new shoes are for. When Mama drops Perry at Nan’s house, and the click-clack shoes take Mama away for the whole day, Perry decides she hates these shoes! Perry later hides the click-clack shoes . . . and all of Mama’s shoes, just in case. Mama then explains that the click-clack shoes bring her to work in the morning, and they will also bring her home to Perry every single evening–clickety-clack fast!

Mama's Work Shoes

Maribeth Boelts

Noah Z. Jones

Jeremy, who longs to have the black high tops that everyone at school seems to have but his grandmother cannot afford, is excited when he sees them for sale in a thrift shop and decides to buy them even though they are the wrong size.

Those Shoes

Caryl Hart

Edward Underwood

With bright, bold illustrations, this stylish picture book features lots of shoes, ten white mice, and one adorable dog. One shoe, two shoes. Red shoes, blue shoes. Two shoes make a pair. Who’s that hiding there? Shoes, shoes, and more shoes . . . this book is bursting shoes of all different colors, sizes, and shapes. There’s a pair here to suit everyone–even a family of mice! Jolly, rhythmic text carries you playfully along in this delightfully stylish book that introduces colors and numbers in a gentle and fun way.

One Shoe Two Shoes

Dashka Slater

Hiroe Nakata

Rediscover acclaimed author Dashka Slater’s joyful picture book about a baby on the go–now in a padded book form! Baby loves his brand-new white shoes, taking them all over the neighborhood while his frantic mom chases behind him. But he just can’t resist stomping through puddles, squishing fallen plums, and dancing in fresh paint. It isn’t long before those white, high-jumping, fast-running shoes are speckled and spotted with every color of the rainbow. Dashka Slater’s delightful, rhythmic text and Hiroe Nakata’s sweet, jaunty illustrations are the perfect match for this playful tale of fun, sun, and fabulous shoes!

Baby Shoes (padded board book)

Sue Fliess

Mike Laughead

Feet got bigger, heel to toe. Time for new shoes. Off we go! Hippo needs new shoes. Maybe she’ll choose shoes with glitter and jewels or shoes that roll on wheels or shoes with bows. There are so many choices! Will Hippo find the perfect pair? Endearing graphite-and-ink illustrations by Mike Laughead show that choosing a new pair of shoes has never been more fun!

Shoes for Me!

Monica Wellington

A dream comes true for a girl who loves tutus, pointe shoes, and dancing on tiptoe! The girl in this story loves to stretch, to pose, to point her toes, to swirl and twirl and leap! She practices new steps every day. All her efforts are rewarded when one special day, she gets to dance in a performance with her favorite ballerina. “Dear Ballerina,” the girl writes, “I dream of being a dancer just like you.” The pictures in the book take the reader behind the scenes of the ballet to a practice room, a costume room, and the wings of the stage. At last, the curtain goes up, and the girl and her idol dance. Their tutus swirl together! “Dancing makes me happy!” the little ballerina says. A touching story about dance, passion, effort, and intergenerational mentorship. The five ballet positions are illustrated, and behind-the-scene secrets are revealed. Back matter provides interesting information about point shoes, tutus, and the contents of a ballet bag. The author-illustrator is the mother of a little girl who has grown up to be a professional ballerina with New York City Ballet. This book was inspired by letters Lydia Wellington wrote to dancers she admired, as well as letters she has received from young fans. Every detail in this book is filled with joy and love and is authentic and accurate. A glittery cover makes Dear Ballerina a perfect gift for ballet recitals. A great choice for fans of Angelina Ballerina.

Dear Ballerina

Sarah S. Brannen

A lumbering little polar bear has one shoe untied, and he needs some help! Sadly for him, though, the other animals are all too scared of him- the lemmings, rabbits, and seals all run away as he approaches them for assistance. What’s Bear going to do? Luckily, two plucky birds are more than happy to help out and offer advice – though probably not quite in the way that readers anticipate. In this sweet and funny book about asking for help (and receiving it), expectations are flipped in a simple but clever way.

Bear Needs Help

Hans Christian Andersen

Have you ever wished for something so hard that you could think of nothing else? When Karen becomes entranced by a pair of beautiful red dancing shoes in a shop window, they fill her every thought and dream. One fateful day, she is able to buy the shoes for herself, only to learn later, as the shopkeeper tells her, to “be careful what you wish for, because it may come true.”

The enthralling presentation of this Hans Christian Andersen classic will win readers over with its luminous illustrations and engaging text, and will remind them of the lessons of life and love.

The Red Shoes

Mo Willems

Bryan Collier

This lyrical beginning-reader by multi award-winning artist Bryan Collier turns the closet on its heel and redefines what it means to be a pair. Beautifully rendered art paired with rich, rhyming dialog creates a powerful reading experience.

It's Shoe Time!

Jacqueline Jules

Miguel Benitez

Freddie Ramos loves his new Zapato Power—super hearing! He can listen in on conversations and find hero jobs. But soon Freddie realizes the temptation to eavesdrop on everyone is too great. Can Freddie find a way to use his super hearing without snooping?

Freddie Ramos Hears It All

Freddie finds a mysterious package outside his apartment containing sneakers that allow him to run faster than a train, and inspire him to perform heroic deeds.

Freddie Ramos Takes Off

A very unusual squirrel is spotted in and around Starwood Elementary School, and when Freddie uses his Zapato Power to chase it, he finds more than one opportunity to be a hero.

Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue

Freddie has shoes that give him super speed. It’s hard to be a superhero and a regular kid at the same time, especially when your shoes give you even more power! Freddie needs an on/off switch for his super speed, so Mr. Vaslov, who created the shoes, decides to invent a remote control, but he gets more than he planned. When his young neighbor’s ball goes missing, Freddie uses his new powers to find it…and Mr. Vaslov!

Freddie Ramos Springs Into Action

Freddie Ramos uses his super powers to give himself the courage to learn how to swim and to deal with a new neighbor who is a bully.

Freddie Ramos Makes a Splash

When a freak spring blizzard buries Starwood Park, Freddie works with Mr. Vaslov to clear the sidewalks using a new invention—Zapato Power snowshoes! But not even the snow can stop a thief from causing trouble in the neighborhood. Can Freddie solve the case, even if it means helping Erika, the Starwood Park bully?

Freddie Ramos Stomps the Snow

Freddie and his mom are visiting Uncle Jorge in New York City! Just before they leave, Mr. Vaslov gives Freddie a new pair of zapatos to replace the ones that were getting too small. But Freddie worries if his new zapatos will work as well as his old ones. Will Freddie be able to save the day when Uncle Jorge misplaces an engagement ring in the middle of a New York City traffic jam?

Freddie Ramos Rules New York

When Amy, the new girl at school, is being bullied, Freddie Ramos uses his Zapato Power to help her. But then she disappears! Super hearing, super speed, and super bounce doesn’t help Freddie find her. And his superpowers aren’t helping Freddie with his own school problem either–he’s failing math. Can Freddie find a way to help Amy and his math grade?

Freddie Ramos Adds It All Up

Scott Emerson

Howard Post

William Wilkins owns a magic pair of boots that can take him anywhere. With the aid of his boots, he canoes down the Amazon, visits the Wild West, and even walks on the moon. Sadly, William realizes one day that his feet are too big for the boots. After falling asleep, he eventually discovers that he had the magic with him all along and continues to discover new adventures around every corner using the power of imagination.

The Magic Boots

Ron Roy

It’s a mystery every month from popular A to Z Mysteries author Ron Roy! With the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries kids! September is for Sneakers… In the ninth book of the Calendar Mysteries- an early chapter-book mystery series- Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy have taken care of the first-grade class hamster, Goldi, for the summer. But on the first day of school, when they plan to bring her back, Goldi is missing! In place of her cage is a green-and-orange sneaker key chain. Soon, the kids spot green-and-orange sneakers all over Green Lawn. And they find out other things have been disappearing around town, too. Can the four friends track down the sneaker sneak and get Goldi back?

Calendar Mysteries: September Sneakers

Beverly Cleary

Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan

Four-year-old twins Jimmy and Janet can’t wait to grow up. So when they go off to get new shoes, they buy bright red boots that will s-t-r-e-t-c-h and grow along with them. “Catches the nuances of preschool concerns with extraordinary precision.”–Kirkus Reviews.

The Growing-Up Feet

Kimberly Dean

Time to head back to school with this bestselling groovy Pete the Cat book!Pete the Cat is rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunch room, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school.And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song…because it’s all good.The fun never stops–download the free groovin’ song.Don’t miss Pete’s other adventures, including Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues, Pete the Cat and the New Guy, Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie, Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes, Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party, and Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!

Rocking in My School Shoes

Macky Pamintuan

Magic, friendship, and adventure are the perfect ingredients for a new twisted fairy tales Branches series from Anna Staniszewski!Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Kara and Zed are ready for a new adventure! When Prince Charming loses the girl and the glass slipper, Kara knows this is her chance to find the shoe, foil an evil plot, and save the day. But will Kara and Zed fix the prince’s happily ever after, or wind up thrown in a dungeon? Macky Pamintuan’s illustrations are on every page, welcoming readers into the adorably silly world of the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series.

The Stolen Slipper

Karen Beaumont

LeUyen Pham

SHOE-LA-LA! The story of four girls who love shoes is now a glittery board book!Shoes with zippers, Shoes with straps, Shoes with buckles, Shoes with taps. Prance from page to page in search of the perfect pair of party shoes. Girls of all ages will love to go on a shoe shopping expedition with these four friends, from fuzzy boots for when it snows to ballerinas on our toes. The girls try on every shoe in the store, but eeny, meeny, my, oh, my [they] just don’t know which shoes to buy. With some feathers and glitter, a little bit of glue, and a LOT of imagination, the girls come up with the best shoes of all!

Shoe-la-la!

The experiences of young migrant children traveling to the United States are poignantly portrayed in this bilingual picture book.

My Shoes and I/MIS Zapatos Y Yo: Crossing Three Borders/Cruzando Tres Fronteras

Masha Manapov

Marcus’ joy over a new pair of shoes reminds his grandfather of an old story about a boy named Ariba and his adventure-loving shoes. Every time Ariba put his shoes on, something crazy would happen. Once they even took him climbing to the peak of the yellow mountain! But one day, Ariba decides he’s going to move from his small village to the city on the other side of the mountains. When he arrives, he buys all new things–including a new pair of shoes. His new life has no room for the old pair. And yet, wouldn’t you know it? No matter what he does, the shoes keep finding their way back to him…

Ariba

Susan Verde

Katie Kath

Boys love sneakers. But when a child finds that his toes have outgrown his favorite shoes, and they ve gotten too dirty and smelly, his mom says it s time for a new pair. Resistant to let go, the boy reminisces about all the good times he s had with his favorite kicks on the city streets. There s the paint splatter from his masterpiece and the drip from a Popsicle. There s the scuff from when he fell off his skateboard. And there are those frayed laces that he learned to tie in bows and doubles. A new pair just won t be the same. But, with bigger shoes to fill, the boy realizes new adventures await him. Maybe he could paint a little better? Or skate a little faster? This new picture book from the bestselling author of “I Am Yoga” explores the love and pride that kids have for their sneakers and the joy that can be found in growing up, growing out, and moving on. “

My Kicks

Jacky Davis

Ladybug Girl has outgrown her favorite pair of boots! So her mom takes her to the shoe store to buy another pair. Children will learn their colors with Ladybug Girl as she tries on new boots–until she finds the perfect pair!

Do You Like These Boots?

Leo Tolstoy

Bernadette Watts

This beautiful story about sharing is a joy to read at Christmas or anytime throughout the year! Re-designed in celebration of 50 years of working with Bernadette Watts—one of Europe’s most recognized and beloved fairy-tale artists, this story is sure to win new fans as well as pleasing existing ones! Martin, a Russian shoemaker, wishes to meet Jesus. Instead he finds three strangers in need. After showing kindness towards each one, Martin learns that it was Jesus who visited him three times. Written by Leo Tolstoy and illustrated by one of Europe’s most beloved illustrators, Bernadette Watts, this story of compassion is as relevant today as when it was first conceived. Praise for Bernadette Watts Little Red Riding Hood, “My what big talent she has!” — Kirkus Reviews The Three Little Pigs, “A marvelous offering that begs to be added to everyone’s storytelling repertoire.” — School Library Journal

Shoemaker Martin

Fran Manushkin

Tammy Lyon

Katie’s toes are feeling very squished in her old shoes. It’s time to shop for some new ones! She’s looking for just the right pair. They must have lots of pizzazz to be perfect for Katie.

Katie's New Shoes

Kim Smith

Sofia has brand new white shoes for family friend Liliana’s quinceañera, but when she gets grape juice on them her mother makes her wear them anyway, even though they no longer match her white dress.

Sofia's Party Shoes

Kathy Knight

Heather Brown

Learn to tie, buckle, and zip-up tight as you search for the shoes that will fit you just right! So many shoes, it’s hard to choose! What kind of shoes do you like? Perhaps a pair of snazzy sneakers? Maybe fluffy slippers are your kind of shoe? The Right Shoes For Me explores all kinds of shoes and lets kids practice different ways of fastening them. Highly interactive and tactile, this book is great for kids getting ready to go to kindergarten or preschool.

The Right Shoes for Me

D.J. Steinberg

Robert Neubecker

Get to know the hilarious true story of King Louis XIV of France and his famous high-heeled shoes!

King Louie was a very BIG king in all ways but one: He was five-feet-four-inches short. So Louie and his royal cobbler cooked up the perfect high-heeled solution to help Louie appear taller. But after an embarrassing tumble (on the dance floor, no less!) Louie learned that his subjects were loyal no matter how big—or how shrimpy—their beloved Louie might have been. Readers young and old will relate to this silly and sweet story of King Louie XIV—a man who had it all, but still felt small.

Top 10 Shoes Books