cover image The Wonder Shoes

The Wonder Shoes

Eva Bernat. Farrar Straus Giroux, $13.95 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-374-38476-0

Newly arrived in a quaint mountain village, Emma longs for friends to play with. When the dazzling Circus Umberto comes to town, the lonely girl is captivated--particularly by ``a beautiful dancer in red shoes.'' Presented with her very own pair of red shoes (which, fortunately, bring greater joy than those of the classic ballet film) and instructed by her adored dancer, Emma is ecstatic--``surely the children would notice her now.'' When she gets the idea to put on a local circus, Emma wins kudos from the townspeople and, best of all, new friends and playmates. This sweetly told tale seems to come from another time and place, so warm and gentle is its style and message. Moodie's quietly expressive, impressionistic grey-and-blue-toned paintings burst into riotous colors to depict the exotic circus milieu, and her beguiling images linger in the mind long after the performers depart. Ages 5-8. (June)