Because of a Shoe

by Julie Fogliano, Marla Frazee (Illustrator)

Everybody has tantrums—kids, and even moms—in this tender yet funny picture book about an especially impossible-to-put-on pair of shoes.

Even when it’s time to put on our favorite shoes and leave the house, and even when that time turns into a tantrum where someone can’t stop screaming, or flopping on the floor, or throwing a shoe across the room, and someone is making their maddest face and everyone else is waiting . . . Even then, nothing can come between the loving bond of a mother and their child. Not even a shoe.

With expressive text from bestselling author Julie Fogliano and timeless art from three-time Caldecott honor medalist Marla Frazee, here is a story that takes listeners through a downward spiral of a shoe-inspired tantrum and is a reminder that even in moments of frustration, we are always our most loveable selves.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Emotion, Childrens, Love, Fiction, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Julie Fogliano has spent her entire life reading children's books. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and three children.

Reviews

[DaNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

For everyone who has been and who has known a toddler.

I just read this out loud to myself and it is the best time I have had all year.

PERFECTION!

[Evan Cafaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really sure how this ended up in my room…

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollicking and tender in equal parts.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly detest books where children are throwing tantrums and chaos reigns. 😒

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book directed at caregivers as much as their young charges, a mother and daughter (both with light-colored skin and red hair) struggle over the most mundane of matters: putting on a shoe. Although the toddler first appears racing toward the right side of the opening pages—while her mother’s hand, holding the little red sneaker, lingers on the far left—the story’s focus soon turns to their shared struggle, captured in a single, sweeping run-on sentence that stretches across the entire book “because of a shoe / (a too-tight shoe / a too-loose shoe) / you are screaming / and you don’t want to be screaming / but you just can’t stop screaming”. The sunny rooms with pale yellow walls fade as the tantrum drags on, dissolving into a bleak gray backdrop streaked with horizontal lines, mirroring Mom’s growing despair:  “you are never getting up from the floor / you will live on the floor”.  Now gray scribbly vignettes foreshadow every parents’ worst nightmare: that the discord will never resolve and their child will go to school on the floor, work in an office on the floor, go on important business trips on the floor, even scuba dive.. on the floor. Finally the pair crashes into an angry gray ocean, the little cheerful shoe the only spot of color on the page, with the child described as wanting “all the shoes / to go to the bottom of the ocean /and get eaten by a shark”. The conflict overtakes both characters and lands them in an epic standoff, with Mom experiencing and describing her own tantrum. But eventually peace is restored because of their great mutual love: “you are still you / (funny sweet you) / and i am still me (funny sweet me) and we are not a shoe / (not the tightest shoe or the loosest shoe)”. Marla Frazee’s loose and evocative illustrations, created with pencil and vinyl paint on matte film really elevate this story into something special. They look casual but the attention paid to gestural movement (a flop, a reach, a hand clench, a hug) will strike a chord with everyone who’s ever struggled with a recalcitrant toddler. A final twist makes this into a circle story. The pair finally arrives at their destination – a birthday party complete with a bouncy castle and a pile of shoes, foreshadowing another showdown. Because of a Shoe reminds kids and adults alike that small disagreements, even ones that escalate into epic meltdowns, don’t stand a chance against the enduring strength of love. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Melanie Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel known and understand in ways that I have craved. I have now shared it with some friends on their parenting journeys as well. I am a mother of 4 young children. Each day with my children is a blessing but some days and some moments are very overwhelming. I know it is not good to yell at my kids, and when I do I feel bad and I apologize to them. But a cycle of shame does not help. Self-compassion does help. This is a very beautiful, heart-felt and humorous depiction of the reality of meltdowns for both kids and parents. "You are not the flopping" and "I am not the yelling" and "you are still you" and "I am still me". These are poignant and powerful phrases. This book is full of them. The illustrations are full of feelings, just like my home is right now. When I read an article about this book that showed some sample spreads from it, I cried. When we bought it, I read it several times that day to each of my kids. I keep noticing more details of the poetry and the illustrations. Cannot believe the cleverness that in the end, they are going to a bounce house at a birthday party, where you cannot even wear shoes in it. Brilliant. So relatable. We humans make mistakes, but you are not your mistake. You are still you, and this book helps me feel loved and more mentally healthy. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. I hope the author and illustrator see this someday and that they know their art forms have made a difference in someone's life! Thank you!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents who have young children who absolutely do not like to wear shoes will appreciate the humor in this adorable picture book. Sometimes the shoes are too tight. Sometimes the shoes are too loose. The hilarious illustrations of the tantrum that ensues with this little character will be ones that parents will relate to. After refusing to wear the chosen shoes, the toddler decides that he will live on the floor forever. Dinner will be eaten on the floor. He will go to school on the floor. He might even grow up to be a baseball who lives on the floor. The favorite red shoes are not the favorite anymore!
The red shoes finally end up on the feet and it is time to go. The life lesson that this adorable picture book offers is that tantrums with shoes cannot change the love between parents and their sweet toddler.
The colorful ilustrations are charming. The illustrations are engaging as you read to discover who wins the battle of the red shoe.
Because of a Shoe is recommended for ages 3-7. It was published by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House. It has an ISBN of 978-0-593-70740. It has a publication date of February 3, 2026.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems like a good one for me to read with my daughter, even though she is, um, 12 years old.

There's a girl who is bothered by her shoes and doesn't want to put them on. Whatever the real reason or reasons are, this little girl is digging in her heels and refusing to put those shoes on. After all, she doesn't NEED TO, does she? Lol. The best spread in the whole book, imho, shows the girl doing everything on the floor...

She can sleep on the floor. She can travel on the floor. She can work on the floor and even become a scuba diver. Hysterical!

Then comes the Mom part of the book. Mom is angry, so angry that she yells and has a very scary face.

But what happens next?

❤️❤️ Repair ❤️❤️

Mom leans in with a little humor and some calm and understanding. Her daughter calms down and comes I for a hug and then puts on her shoes.

There's a little twist at the end which, to me, is just so-so but overall, I really like this book. It's a super one for parents to read over and over with their kids and a good example of how humans can over-react in a moment and think better about how they behaved and apologize.

Marla Frazee's illustrations are gorgeous as usual.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who has ever been a parent of a toddler, known a toddler or even observed a toddler will adore this book. In just a few pages Julie Fogliano and Marla Frazee provide a visual description of parenting a small person demanding their own bit of control! It is one of the most challenging and exasperating stages of child development for any parent to manage and this story shows the range of emotion parents feel from fury to tender love.

The text is brilliant and Frazee's colored pencil and paint illustrations are at once vividly real and softly sweet. The toddler with the wild red curls and the out of patience mom just trying to get out the door are like every parent's emotions come to life.

There is laugh-out-loud humor here, nods of recognition and a few tears of remembered regrets at our own "maddest faces and angriest eyes." And above all there is the love.

This is a MUST purchase for every children's book collection - and will be the favorite of every exhausted parent of a toddler!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undoubtedly there won't be a parent or child out there who won't be able to relate to this humorous and well told slice of life. The nifty twist shown in the clever artwork, created with Prismacolor pencil and vinyl paint, reveals that it isn't only a child who feels like throwing a tantrum. And what's it all about? Well, for reasons unknown, the little one does not, absolutely does NOT want to put on those red shoes. It doesn't matter that they are favorite shoes or that they're running late. Nope! Those shoes aren't going on anyone's feet. The illustrations show all the extremes the child goes through in order to get the point across, and then, also, the increasingly frustrated mother, pushed to the breaking point. Still, despite all this, they love each other, especially after the storm of emotions has ended and the shoes are donned. Well, at least for a little while. The title fits the book's content perfectly, and the book jacket and cover are also delightful.

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah tantrums. Even if you don't have a toddler in the house, this will resonate. Because everyone throws tantrums.
So much to love about this - the fact that it is written as one long sentence (very tantrumish!) And the colors Frazee uses - especially the shadows when you are at the darkest part of your tantrum. And the acknowledgement of the battle within. You love these shoes! Why would you throw a tantrum? Because. Because of a shoe but not really. Just because. You can just feel the frustration because the little knows they don't want to really throw the tantrum but they just can't stop. Tantrums are hard to figure out. But this too shall pass. But the love? The love is always there.

If you are in a shoe mood - or doing a shoe readaloud - pair this with Loops by Jashar Awan.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two collaborators have created in the past some of my favorite books. Fogliano is the award-winning author of Then It's Spring. Marlee Frazee has three Caldecott Honor books including All the World. Because of a Shoe brings these two talents together. Fogliano tells the story of a struggle between a mother and daughter over putting on one's shoes. You can sense the frustration of the child and the adult, but ultimately even in moments like these, love still needs to prevail. Frazee's illustrations masterfully capture the changes in moods both in depicting the characters and the color palette that surrounds them. A great book to have on hand when families need to diffuse similar situations.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small child refuses to put on their shoes, is determined to do their whole life from the floor and never wear shoes, ever. Their mother is frustrated and angry and threatens to throw the favorite shoes into the dump, but . . .

This is a delightful story about how a child's behavior and a parent's response don't change their loving relationship. Mara Frazee's illustrations are on point - I love how the bright colors change to grays during the worst moments and then back to color again. A delightful bedtime story or a great wind-down after time out or an argument. The characters are white

[Nomi Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself telling my daughter “I’m still me and you’re still you” after she had a grocery store meltdown the other day that tested us both. It’s the kind of book that rattles around in your head long after you read it. Fogliano and Frazee brilliantly capture the intensity of a tantrum over something small—the huge emotional release and then the return to the ordinary rhythms of the day. That’s motherhood!

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read aloud! The rhythm and intensity increases and ebbs just as a toddler's tantrum and a mother's response does. Julie and Marla have portrayed the emotion so vividly in word and picture that they have truly captured the frustration of both mother and child as well as the love. The illustrations are perfection as they transition from color into black and white and back again. It was a pleasure to read. This is sure to become a picture book classic!

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fogliano and Frazee encapsulate the essence of the emotional roller coasters of adult/child relationships. The text is relatable for both children and the adults that care for them; the illustrations are realistic and add depth and richness - Frazee captured every emotion perfectly with her lines, her shades, her colors. This one's going to land on the "Classics" shelf, no doubt.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! The concept is so universal to toddlers and their caregivers, and the illustrations are great! My one little complaint is that the book is a bit too long for the intended audience. The toddlers that will relate to this, I'd say 2-4 years of age, may find it a bit too long and wordy. Nevertheless, it's great storytelling!

[Andrew Dittmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano & Marla Frazee


Reading history:
Normally I keep this in my private notes section, but I'm moving it. Yay!

Reading history was not added on Goodreads, but was instead kept on a small piece of paper with the book.


Started March 8th, 2026.
Finished March 8th, 2026.


March 8th, 2026: read entire book in physical copy.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just because the kid loses his mind over a tree, doesn't mean his mom doesn't love him any less. It showcases the little moments that become the big moments but don't have to be the most memorable. Life happens. Too tight shoes happen. Temper tantrums happen, but love will always exist.

A fantastic job teaching a lesson that love endures-- and shoes are annoying.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and enjoyable single-sentence story, but it is not written for children. This is completely a book written for a mom who needs a tender presentation of her reactions to a frustrating child and who needs a reassurance that self-forgiveness for loosing her temper is acceptable. Relatable for moms, but for kids? I'm not so sure.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gently humorous story about a child who absolutely does not want to wear shoes and a frustrated parent's response to trying to get them out of the house to a party. This book does a great job capturing the parent and child's big emotions while also showing their unconditional love. A truly lovely picture book with a hilarious final twist that parents will recognize and appreciate!

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why was it SO HARD to get out the door? Because of a shoe. Everyone will recognize these dynamics, honestly and also beautifully portrayed.

Fogliano and Frazee are each fabulous and this is a great book just from an artistic standpoint. Enjoy the story--and the carefully chosen words, and the perfectly-pitched-to-the-emotions illustrations!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most instantly relatable book for anyone who has ever parented. Clever, flamboyant, and so well done.

All of us have been that toddler. All of us have been that parent. The epic meltdown (from both toddler and parent). And the recovery, and the love, and the grace of being able to move beyond--this is great.

[Lynn Hardesty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant telling of an event that almost every mother - child relationship will go through at some point. One of my most favorite illustrators brought this one to life. Oh, and it's hillarious to boot!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book where the whole story is in one long (200+ words) story about the trouble getting the shoes on and tied and then they can go to an event. Struggles of the child and the mother to get out the door. Hilarious if you are not the mother.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A toddler and a mom both face BIG emotions when they are at a loggerheads over putting on shoes...and they both learn to step back, take a breath, re-focus, and use humor. This story presents the essential skill of emotion regulation with laughs and love.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through illustrations and text, this book perfectly captures the toddler tantrum stage and the parent's frustration over the tantrums. But it also reminds us that these moments don't define our true feelings about each other and the relationship that the child and parent share.

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry not sorry, but as an elementary school teacher, I am all set with the tantrums and the refusals and the defiance. Put on your goddamn shoes. Get some emotional regulation lessons.

Apologies to Fogliano because I do love her writing. But the plot touched a nerve.

[Patricia J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A one-sentence explosion of frustration, joy, and love between a child and a mom--because of a shoe! Children will recognize themselves and moms will laugh outloud when they see and hear both their tantrums.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovingly paced and beautifully written, illustrated with expected panache by the great Marla Frazee, I could still not quite buy into the story coming from the mother's point of view. I'd love to see a read-aloud to see what kids think.