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Shoebox Sam
The pink slippers on the wall catch her eye. 'Those are the most beautiful shoes I've seen in all my life.'Down at the corner of Magnolia and Vine, you'll find the shop of Shoebox Sam--where old shoes become like new again and anyone in need finds a friend. Delia and Jessie spend Saturdays with Shoebox Sam, helping him with customers, rich and poor. They learn about giving and caring, loving and sharing. Then one day, when a customer notices a prized pair of shoes, they uncover their greatest lesson of all.
Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2011
1 person is currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 7, 2022
Totally heartwarming. I loved the illustrations, so alive and vibrant (I wanted to give Sam a huge hug!) and I so appreciate the gentle message of helping those in need. It's also great for showing that we shouldn't just buy new-new-new but take care and repair what can be mended. New shoes aren't as comfy as worn-in shoes that feel like you're steppin' on grandma's feather bed, says Sam. So true! :-) Available online at OpenLibrary
December 13, 2012
What a wonderful book for children! It shows how to teach true compassion. Children do not always see the whole picture as in this story. As adults our job isn't to give them the story, but just to help them to see that everyone deserves fair and proper treatment even if they are different in some way.
June 29, 2018
I liked the message of this book, and I loved the illustrations, but somehow the overall story seemed a bit contrived. Still, it is a nice starting point for discussing social justice and our ability to make a difference in the community.
September 4, 2013
Picture Book Project
Picture Book Soak- One I didn't care for
This book will entice readers based on the artwork alone. The artwork is very beautiful. It will also entice readers because of the message it brings about charity and helping those in need.
The book doesn't state what medium is used, but it looks like paint because of the brush strokes. The colors are very dark. The front cover has Sam on it in his shoe store with his arms wide open. It makes you feel like he's welcoming you to his store. On the back cover are drawings of shoes and when you open the book, there are more drawings of shoes. The feel of the story tells you that it was set back in the older days possibly in an urban city.
I didn't really care for the book much. The artwork is very beautiful, but the colors are so dark. It does give a positive message--help those in need if you can--but it was boring to read. Nothing really caught my attention to want to keep reading.
If I had to use this for school, it would be independent reading book. If I had to incorporate it in a lesson, I could use the book to teach students about helping those out in need, but I think there are other books that are more interesting that would convey the same message.
Picture Book Soak- One I didn't care for
This book will entice readers based on the artwork alone. The artwork is very beautiful. It will also entice readers because of the message it brings about charity and helping those in need.
The book doesn't state what medium is used, but it looks like paint because of the brush strokes. The colors are very dark. The front cover has Sam on it in his shoe store with his arms wide open. It makes you feel like he's welcoming you to his store. On the back cover are drawings of shoes and when you open the book, there are more drawings of shoes. The feel of the story tells you that it was set back in the older days possibly in an urban city.
I didn't really care for the book much. The artwork is very beautiful, but the colors are so dark. It does give a positive message--help those in need if you can--but it was boring to read. Nothing really caught my attention to want to keep reading.
If I had to use this for school, it would be independent reading book. If I had to incorporate it in a lesson, I could use the book to teach students about helping those out in need, but I think there are other books that are more interesting that would convey the same message.
November 20, 2017
Shoebox Sam is a story about a shoe store that sells used shoes and in the process, teaches about sharing and caring through a prized pair of shoes. This fiction book tells an important story that can teach young children about the importance of giving, loving, caring, and sharing. It would be great for grades K-3 and could be used in a reading classroom to teach fluency as well as new vocabulary.
December 31, 2011
nice story of a an African American shoe salesman who has local kids helping him as he sells and repairs shoes, but also generously gives away free food and shoes to the homeless and those who need them.
December 3, 2013
Very cute story! Teaches children about giving to others. I love seeing books that show our children the importance of charity!
March 5, 2015
Nicely written.
October 22, 2015
There is so much elegance, style, and grace in this little picture book. I may not have loved the story, but I definitely loved the artwork.
November 17, 2015
Get out your tissues. This beautiful picture book will warm you up and bring on the tears.
June 20, 2017
3.5 Stars. Gorgeous artwork as always from Frank Morrison! While I appreciated the theme of kindness, though, the writing was a bit lackluster.
September 20, 2017
Lovely illustrations and important message, but the abrupt ending disappointed me.
July 6, 2023
According to the blurb here on Goodreads, Delia and Jessie learn about giving and caring, loving and sharing. Now that strikes me as a book worth reading!
Also, I just love the cover picture by Frank Morrison. This has to be one of the most graceful pairs of children I've seen. As for that man in the center, Shoebox Sam, the first impression of him impresses me as both wise and powerful. I want to get to know him, too.
Soon we learn about Sam's generosity. When a customer is scarfing down one donut after another:
Delia tugs at Sam's sleeve. "That man has eaten near a half dozen doughnuts," she whispers.
"When you're hungry, you eat," says he.
Oh, and what Shoebox Sam winds up doing with the ballerina's pink dancing shoes?
Oh and ooh and ah! I am now officially in love with this book. It's not just cracking good story, vividly told by Mary Brigid Barrett, a FIVE STAR book for sure.
To me, this is the rare story for children that whispers spiritual beauty and also, if you do have a religion with meaning for you, this story may bring you along to the front of your sanctuary.
Also, I just love the cover picture by Frank Morrison. This has to be one of the most graceful pairs of children I've seen. As for that man in the center, Shoebox Sam, the first impression of him impresses me as both wise and powerful. I want to get to know him, too.
Soon we learn about Sam's generosity. When a customer is scarfing down one donut after another:
Delia tugs at Sam's sleeve. "That man has eaten near a half dozen doughnuts," she whispers.
"When you're hungry, you eat," says he.
Oh, and what Shoebox Sam winds up doing with the ballerina's pink dancing shoes?
Oh and ooh and ah! I am now officially in love with this book. It's not just cracking good story, vividly told by Mary Brigid Barrett, a FIVE STAR book for sure.
To me, this is the rare story for children that whispers spiritual beauty and also, if you do have a religion with meaning for you, this story may bring you along to the front of your sanctuary.
October 22, 2020
I love that Shoebox Sam is a Black business owner and an important, public figure in his community. In this story, he models kindness and respect for homeless people to the two children that help him in his shoe store. Sam also models not being attached to things as he gives away a special pair of ballet slippers to a woman in need. In my future classroom, I would use this book as a read aloud to teach about nonattachment and to give all my students the positive imagery of Black men that has historically been lacking.
theme- homelessness, nonattachment, community
copyright-2011
theme- homelessness, nonattachment, community
copyright-2011
September 8, 2022
Be sure to read it aloud, to catch the dancing rhythm. (Note endpapers.) *Actionable* inspiration for social justice. Not to mention the other 'Green' theme of the Rs, this time, obviously, Repair.
I read it on openlibrary.org, but some libraries do have it.
I read it on openlibrary.org, but some libraries do have it.
May 18, 2023
Very interesting and old-fashioned.
December 19, 2016
Two kids help out a cobbler who repairs shoes and sells repaired shoes.
They learn by watching as he treats those with no money with even greater respect than those who have plenty.
They learn by watching as he treats those with no money with even greater respect than those who have plenty.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews