– Retelling Of A Favorite Fairy Tale –
Publisher’s Synopsis
Ever wonder what might have happened if a certain glass slipper had been placed on the wrong maiden’s foot . . . and fit?! In this comic twist on a classic fairy tale, Murray, a humble shoemaker, creates a pair of glass slippers for a frantic fairy godmother when her wand runs out of power, setting off a rollicking chain of events that may force him to disappoint a prince, risk the fairy’s wrath, and sacrifice the secret love of his life. Deborah Guarino, author of the bestselling Is Your Mama a Llama?, has created a magical story that will delight readers of all ages. Vivid illustrations bring the characters brilliantly to life in this tale of true love, royal mayhem, and big feet.
Details
- Title: If The Shoe Fits
- Author: Deborah Guarino
- Illustrator: Seth Hippen
- Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (November 28, 2019)
- Genre: Humor/Fantasy/Fairy Tale
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Ages: 5 – 8
My Thoughts
So who made those snazzy glass slippers, anyway? When Cinderella’s oh-so-famous fairy godmother’s magic runs out before she produces slippers, she knows right where to turn. Why Murray, the shoemaker, of course.
Though Murray offers satin, silk and lace shoes, none of those will do. The fairy needs a rare pair . . . slippers light and transparent. Not a problem. This request is easily made possible by fetching a pair of size five glass slippers from the back of the store. The fairy godmother is off with the promise of paying Murray with a magic spell. She just needs her magic to recharge.
Enters Mona, the clerk at the shoe store. Oh, did I mention that Murray the owner is totally smitten by his clerk, Mona? There’s only one problem. He’s a tad too shy to let his feelings be known.
Well, on with the story. Mona, the clerk, has always been convinced that she is destined to marry a prince. And when she tells Murray that the prince was left holding one glass slipper as he was about to propose marriage, she ends by asking him to do a favor for her.
Can you guess what she might ask of the dear shoemaker? Will Murray be able to grant his secret love her wish?
My thanks to Schiffer Publishing for a copy of #IfTheShoeFits This #bookreview is my opinion.
What Concerned Me
- When I read this silently I had trouble with the rhyming element of the text. But when I read it aloud a second time, I had no trouble.
- Because I usually don’t slow down long enough to really take in the illustrations, I missed something the first time through. I also missed it in the text. Without having to issue a spoiler alert, this story has nothing to do with beauty vs. the not-so-beautiful.
So in summary, #1 and #2 were concerns, but if you read through them, they turned out to be non-concerns!
3. Due to the vocabulary, I’m not sure who the target group is, though the publisher has this book listed as an Early Reader. I can imagine a teacher reading this to an older group, but I feel some of the words will need explaining: beguiling, demented, preened. And even with this concern, it can be an opportunity to learn.
What I Liked Best
The rhyming text and illustrations work together to easily sell the book. I have to admit, the more I read it the more I loved it. There can be lots of discussion points or a story just for enjoyment.
It’s a fun book that I’m sure you’ll want to add to your library!
About the Author
Deborah Guarino is the author of the popular children’s classic Is Your Mama a Llama?, which has been entertaining readers for three generations in several editions and languages worldwide. An accomplished playwright, artist, editor, copywriter, and professional actor, her admiration for the hilarious Mel Brooks and her friendship with the late, great author Isaac Asimov inspired her to create Murray, the story’s narrator. A Jersey girl who still resides in the Garden State, Deborah has also lived in Manhattan and London and is the single mom of two handsome, talented sons, Josh and Daniel. Currently the human in residence in a home she shares with her dog, two cats, and a parrot, Deborah is also a popular speaker at schools nationwide.
