If You Could Wear My Sneakers! by Sheree Fitch

 

Title: If You Could Wear My Sneakers

Author: Sheree Fitch

Illustrator: Darcia Labrosse

Publish Date: September 1998

Publisher: Firefly Books, Limited

Pages: 32pp

ISBN: 1552092593

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Children’s Rights/Poerty

Annotation: A collection of poems aimed at children (for children’s rights) in support of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Told through humorous verses and using animals to present each intricate and significant idea. 

Plot Summary: A collection of poems that interpret fifteen articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Each poem (article) uses a variety of animals and plenty of humor to help present each important idea. Additionally, in the back of the book is a guide, showcasing each poem and matching it with the article it represents.  

Personal Response: I am starting to see this Canadian theme of children’s rights as Fitch creatively constructs a poem for each right (fifteen of them to be precise) in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in a language that is fitting for a child. In addition, the colorful images by Darcia Labrosse not only compliment Fitch’s verses but add to the playfulness and humor. From freedom of speech to having the right to health care, Ms. Fitch get’s her important message across.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Children’s rights, based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Age Range: 4 to 8

Subjects:  Children’s Rights, Humorous, Poetry, Animals,

Similar Titles:

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choli

Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles

There Were Monkeys In My Kitchen by Shree Fitch

The Name of the Tree: A Bantu Folktale by Celia Barker Lottridge

Title: The Name of the Tree: A Bantu Folktale

Author: Celia Barker Lottridge

Illustrator: Ian Wallace

Publish Date: February 2002

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 36pp

ISBN: 0888990979

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Folklore

Annotation: A great drought settles somewhere on an African plan, forcing all the animals to search for food. When their search fails, it is the turtles search who succeeds.

Plot Summary: On an African plan, a great drought has settled, causing all the animals to search for food. In their search for food, the animals find a magic tree that holds all the fruits imaginable, but as the animals soon learn, they must learn the name of the tree in order to receive the unreachable fruit. With failed attempts, and almost a lackluster hopes, it is the turtle who succeeds with finding the name and saving the day.

Personal Response: This Bantu folktale is told in traditional format by displaying roles of a hero, as heroes are not always the biggest and strongest—yet sometimes the heroes are the least likely. All in all, a very sweet tale with masterful illustrations by that compliment the story, or rather let the story be the main attraction.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Persistence does not always mean the biggest and strongest. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Age Range: 4-8yrs

Subjects: Africa, Folklore, Bantu, Multicultural, Wisdom, Hero, Persistence, Animals, Children’s, Picture Book

Similar Titles:

What the Animals Were Waiting For by Jonathan London

A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry