New Shoes for Leo

Starred review from December 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 3 *Starred Review* William's family lives in an apartment near his aunts' and his grandparents' homes. One day, he watches his mother and T�a Ana, her sister, put together packages of food, medicine, and clothing to send "back home" to relatives in Cuba. When William gets restless, Mama gives him an assignment: find a pair of shoes that will fit Leo, a cousin he has never met. When he learns that Leo has freckles and loves baseball and drawing, just like him, William wants to help. Not one of his nearby relatives has shoes that will fit Leo, much to William's distress. But upon reflection, he realizes that his shoes would be perfect! He suddenly feels happy to help a cousin he's never met. As Gal notes in the back matter, sending needed items to relatives in "the old country" is a familiar tradition in many immigrant families. Created with pencil, ink, and watercolor, the illustrations feature deep, rich colors that reflect the beauty of nature and the sometimes intense emotions of the relatives within this physically divided but still close-knit family. Spanish words within the text appear, along with definitions and pronunciation guides, in an appended section. This moving picture book marks Deedy's debut as a writer.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 15, 2025
A Cuban American boy helps prepare aid for his faraway family. Each month, Mami and T�a Ana gather much-needed items and send them to relatives living in Cuba. William's usually on the sidelines during the packing extravaganza, but one day, Mami gives him an important job: to check whether anyone in the family has extra zapatos (shoes) for his cousin Leo. Armed with the outline of Leo's footprint on a piece of paper, William starts his mission, learning more about Leo with each stop. First, he heads over to T�a Rosa and T�a Olga's downstairs apartment, but T�a Olga's shoes are too big for Leo, and T�a Rosa's high heels aren't suitable, either. William goes to his abuelos' apartment next. Alas, Abuela has only extra pantuflas (slippers), and Abuelo wears special shoes due to his bout with polio at a young age, so no luck there. Where will William find shoes for Cousin Leo, who loves baseball, has freckles, and enjoys drawing, just like William? In her picture-book debut, Deedy draws upon childhood memories to weave a touching testament to family bonds grounded in immigrant experiences. Though more perceptive readers may wonder why it takes William so long to finally hit upon a somewhat obvious solution, his eventual decision closes this tale on a lovely note. Gal's effervescent illustrations boast solid pencil and ink linework and gorgeous blends of watercolors, to rich results. A tender look at family, near and far. (glossary, author's note, artist's note)(Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2025) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.