The Bootmaker and the Elves

by Susan Lowell

A retelling, set in the Old West, of the traditional story about two elves who help a poor shoemaker, or in this case a bootmaker, and his wife

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Westerns

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Susan Lowell often writes about the Southwest border country in both fiction and nonfiction. Her forthcoming adult short-story collection, "Two Desperados,” returns to the genre of her first book, “Ganado Red.” Her family has lived in the American West since Gold Rush days, and family stories have inspired many children’s books as well as an adult novel in progress called “The Wild West Waltz” (see the story “Two Desperados” for a preview!)
She and her husband divide their time between Tucson, Arizona and a ranch near the Mexican border.

Reviews

[Jennifer Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A western-style retelling of "The Shoemaker and the Elves," 3/4 of this book consists of loving descriptions of cowboy boots written by someone who has serious respect for a well-tooled piece of leather. The art is colorful and weird; the prose is chock-full of wacky cowboy-isms. My child is obsesssed.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

That classic fairy-tale from the Brothers Grimm, The Elves and the Shoemaker, is transplanted to the American southwest in this entertaining picture book from author Susan Lowell and illustrator Tom Curry. A poor cowboy boot maker with negligible skills at his craft finds himself the beneficiary of magical help when the leather he cuts and lays out for the next day is made into a beautiful pair of boots in the night. So it goes, as the boot maker's fortunes slowly improve thanks to the help of his nighttime visitors. Deciding to keep watch one night, he and his wife discover that they are being aided by two elves, and set out to show their gratitude...

The Bootmaker and the Elves is the second picture book I have read from Lowell, following upon her Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella , which also featured a classic fairy-tale transplanted to a western setting. According to the note that is included in the rear dust-jacket blurb, the author is a fourth-generation Arizonan, perhaps explaining why this region seems to feature so regularly in her work. In any case, I enjoyed this one, appreciating the fun western lingo, the cowboy cultural details, and the overall sense of humor to be found in her telling of the tale. The accompanying illustrations, created using an acrylic drybrush technique on hardboard, were likewise appealing, with a stylized aesthetic and sometimes surreal feeling—I particularly loved the scene in which all kinds of fantastical boots are flying around in the boot maker's dream!—that was well-matched to the tale. Recommended to picture book readers looking for fun fairy-tales with a western flavor.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! Being a Texan, I was able to fully appreciate the western-themed storyline and all the hilarious, southern phrases throughout. The illustrations were a little dull, but the story more than made up for it. I laughed the whole way through and my kids (ages 2 & 4) listened from start to finish. An enjoyable read all around.🤠

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker. When a struggling bootmaker needs help he gets it from a most unexpected group - elves who make the most beautiful boots for him at night after he and his wife go to sleep! This classic tale is colorfully illustrated - sure to be a favorite bedtime book for small children!

[ConnieLettow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a Western version of the shoemaker and the Elves. It's so much fun to read it in a thick Western Cowgirl accent!

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Western version of classic fairy-tale.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story to use as a mentor text to show students how to use descriptive details in their writing. The story was about a bootmaker and his wife and they had their own boot shop. Nobody would buy the bootmakers boots because they were so uncomfortable, but two little elves came along and made boots for the bootmakers shop in the middle of the night. Thanks to the elves, the bootmaker and his wife became rich because everyone wanted the beautiful boots the elves made. The author did a great job describing how the elves boots looked and it was easy to picture what the boots looked like. One example of these descriptions was, "her new boots had chocolate cow-leather tops inlaid with bucking broncos, and the toes were made of lizard skin that glittered like fresh-baked pecan pie." These descriptions serve as a great example for students to learn how to be descriptive in their writing.
The illustrations in this story were cute, but not my favorite. I liked how there was a picture of the boots the elves made so the reader could see if the image they painted in their head matched the actual picture.
I thought this book had a cute story line and had a good underlying message. The message is to help others that are in need and expect nothing in return. I would recommend having this story in your class because it has a good message and can help students learn how to be descriptive in their writing.

[Kimberly Parrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you couldn't guess from the title, this book is a play off of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A bootmaker who really can't make quality boots gets a little help from some mysterious elves in the middle of the night. They turn his leather cut outs into the best boots the world had ever seen. He and his wife are well off with money now, but they are curious. One night they stay up to see who is helping them and that's when they discover the elves. Seeing as the elves are in rags and torn clothing, the husband and wife make them miniature clothes and boots and the elves are extremely elated to find them. They elves set off, but the bootmaker and his wife are set for life on money and they are glad to see the elves so happy. This book is very funny and it includes a lot of country/wild west humor. Children would enjoy this and even for a read-a-loud I could see teachers or parents using fun country accents to bring the many characters to life.

[Sue Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, I need me some night time, slave'n elves. Ones that know how to knit, preferably. Imagine the projects I could have finished with a wee bit of help!

Such a great story. Rags to riches and being thankful for a bit of help to get you on the right road. Best illustrations ever! I need me some of them boots!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cowboy version of the shoemaker and the elves. Fun to read. Great for a read aloud and for making predictions. Also great to draw along with while being read to and then to be shown the pictures afterward for greater comprehension.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great fractured fairy tale--Shoemaker and the Elves western style. I think this will certainly keep the children's attention. Even if they aren't familiar with that story.

[Saralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too funny! I loved the Western dialect to go along with the story. This book cracked me up! And the boots were fantastic.

[N · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might like this more if I lived in Texas.

[Janine Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bootmaker and the Elves by Susan Lowell (K/1) If you like this book, try Dusty Locks and the Three Bears by the same author(K/1) Fall Booklegger Program.

[Jason McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colorful (literally and figuratively), word-wonderful, mouthful of a romp!

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud picture book. Elementary age.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story with very descriptive concepts. Loved the pictures in the book as well. Kept my children's attention span throughout.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nice retelling of the classic fairy tale with a western twist.

Excellent illustrations.