A Pair of Red Clogs

by Masako Matsuno

A child's delight in a new pair of shoes is the same all over the world, whether the shoes are patent-leather sandals, straw alpargatas, deerskin moccasins, or wooden clogs. For Mako, a little Japanese girl, the new shoes were clogs painted with red lacquer that shone beautifully. This is the story of what happened after she cracked the new clogs playing the weather-telling game and so longed for a bright, shiny new pair to replace them that she almost did a dishonest thing.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Japan, Asia, Geography, Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The story starts with a grandmother looking for a box to send a new pair of clogs to her granddaughter and she comes across a pair she had when she was small. She then retells the story of how she went with her mother to buy these clogs, and of the events afterwards. I thought this was a simple and perfect story, the game the girls play with their shoes was interesting, I can't wait to have a go myself (although I have learnt a lesson from Mako's experience) We loved the look into Japanese life and the illustrations are perfect. Although first published in 1960 this book hasn't aged at all. Highly recommended!

[Betsy Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very ‘real’ story. It rings true.

If I could interview the mother…

Interviewer: So Mother, how long did you know that your daughter how broken her shoe?

Mother: As soon as the sound of her footsteps changed.

Interviewer: How did you know that she did it playing the weather telling game on the stony road?

Mother: Because, I did the same thing when I was a little girl.

Interviewer: Were you mad at your daughter?

Mother: No, this is one of the lessons of life. I know she feels the pain of her choice, just as I felt mine.

Interviewer: How soon will you buy her new clogs?

Mother: When the time is right. No so soon that she forgets the lesson, but not to long to drive me crazy with that new sound.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I remember choosing for myself at the library. It was on the flat shelves by the fireplace, and I was at the library with my dad. We read it over and over and over. It's a delightful book about the consequences of folly. The illustrations have staying power, too.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book about responsibility and being honest. Every time we read a book about a different culture the boys love to grab our glob and have me show them where the country is. Then we research what animals live there and what food they eat. This was a beautiful introduction to Japan.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story that shows the plight of a carefree (and slightly spoiled) young girl when she damages her new shoes.

I love that her attempts to fool her mother are in vain and that her mother is kind to her anyway. I also appreciate that the story shows us how similar children can be all around the world.

The illustrations appear to be drawn primarily in pencil and I loved the scenes of everyday life in Japan and the very expressive faces on the characters, especially the little girl, Mako.

Overall, it's an entertaining and timeless tale and I really enjoyed reading it.

[bren wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so cute oh my gosh

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An #Own Voices story that is older than I am, and absolutely delightful. I am so glad it was reissued. If you have trouble finding it, it's worth ordering from ILL imo. Mothers are amazing mind readers, and children are mischievous, all over the world.

How interesting to learn about some minor Japanese customs from about a century ago. I wonder if children there still play the weather-telling game... it wouldn't work quite so well with western shoes but it would still be fun, I think.

"Kara koro, kara koro..." when the clogs are new, but
"Gara gara, goro goro..." when they've been cracked....

[☆Meredith (メルたん)♪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pair of Red Clogs is a culture rich story with beautiful illustrations and a quality moral that will touch the heart of children young and old. The thing I loved most about the book was the gentle understanding with which Mako's parents treat her, and the true-to-life depiction of a child's natural thought process when they have broken something new and dear to them.
I'm sure that I'm biased, being dearly in love with all things Japanese, but this book speaks to the heart. I highly recommend getting it for your child, grandchild, or the child of a friend as a gift. :)

[Brittany Cullen]

a great book for teaching if you break something or dont like something that you were given, not to do something that you will regret just to get a new thing. She was going to do anything she could to get a new paiir of clogs becuase she broke her pair but she talks with her grandmother and realizes. a good lesson book that children can relate to

[Theo kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great picture book. This one tells the story of a little girl who devises a plan to get some new shoes, but who realizes that the price of dishonesty is just too high. A cute story with a message for bedtime.

[Readerella · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! A great read-aloud with a wonderfully subtle message about how lying affects our relationships. Children will easily identify with getting a new pair of shoes (or clogs, in this case) muddy and the temptation to lie to a parent to cover it up.

[Cindi P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story centering on a pair of red clogs and the story of life, family, Japanese culture, and character. The illustrations work well with the story. I appreciated the illustrator's use of the color yellow.

[Sydney Hall]

"A Pair of Red Clogs" is about a young chinese girl getting a new pair of shoes. It explains the chinese culture, dress and lifestyle for children. I thought this would be a great multicultural piece to add to a classroom to bring in more diversity.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars I realized this book was published in the 60's. I liked the writing and the story and the message. All nicely Done!!! I do wonder who on earth those clogs with the weird double heels could be comfortable! Honestly is always the best policy!

[Zzzzz Zzzzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book that I picked up from the used bookstore, I don't know if the moral of the story was not to lie or just a woman's reflection of her youth and the love she had for her mother and for her granddaughter.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little Japanese girl, the new shoes were clogs painted with red lacquer that shone beautifully. This is the story of what happened after she cracked the new clogs playing the weather-telling game and so longed for a bright, shiny new pair to replace them.
This story is beautiful written!!

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl learns the value of being honest when she finds kindness from her parents when she does not try and deceive them over her new red shoes. Beautiful illustrations.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter Carrie reminded me of this delightful, beautifully illustrated children's book that we read over and over when Carrie was little. It was one of Carrie's favorites.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd buy this for a classroom if I had one.

[Tacurtin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is better suited to older children.

[Garrett Lammey · Rating 5 out of 5]

why do you need to kick your shoes?

[Christy Kellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, a classic child's novel. Part of the 5 in a row curriculum and worth every read word!!!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old loved this book so much we had a birthday party with this book as the theme.

[Camille Tesch]

Ages 6-8

[Owen & Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story offers a lesson in caring for your possessions as well as respecting family members.

[Ellen Keyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is timeless. A must for READ-ALOUD times with family. Children are the same through all of time.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Companion reviewer enjoyed this one and thought it was fun.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, but she didn’t really fess up and it was kind of blown off that she was being shady, so not a good moral to the story.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child’s thoughts are captured brilliantly by Matsuno. My children could identify with her thinking as she carefully selected just the right clogs, enjoyed the sound they made when she walked or ran, and basked in the admiration of others who noticed her new clogs. They were sobered when a careless act resulted in a cracked clog, and the girl plotted how to get her mother to buy her a new pair sooner than she would have otherwise. They breathed a sigh of relief when the girl regrets her plan. I could sense them committing right along with this storybook character to do better moving forward with the lesson learned. It is a rare book that is able to combine moral lessons AND a delightful story. Additionally, the glimpse of Japanese life is charming.

[Jaden]

Multicultural

A grandmother got a pair of red clogs for her granddaughter, but first tells about her cracked pair from when she was little. She was a little Japanese girl named Mako, and her mother bought her a brand new pair of red clogs. She loved them and everyone complimented them. She played the weather game with them on a stone road so they cracked. She so badly wanted a new pair so she went and got them all dirty hoping her mother would get her a new pair. They washed out fine and she felt bad for lying to her mother. She thinks her granddaughter will play the same weather game she did.