By Eleanor Emlen Healthy Roar reporters 

Those Shoes 
Written by Maribeth Boelts
Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones 

This is a book about how a little boy, Jeremy, wanted some shoes. In school, many students had the cool shoes Jeremy wanted. Jeremy asked his grandma for the shoes, and his grandma said, “There’s no room for want around here, just ‘need.’ ” 

Jeremy’s shoes broke, and he got a pair of hand-me-downs from the counselor. Grandma then allowed him to get shoes, but the shoes were too expensive and they had to go thrifting. Jeremy went to three thrift stores to find the shoes he wanted but they ended up being too small. Later, Jeremy ended up giving his shoes to his friend Antonio. 

Core reporters for Healthy Roar enjoyed reading the book. One reporter commented that the best part of the story was when Antonio tried on the cool shoes at Jeremy’s home. Another student enjoyed when the grandmother gave wisdom about having things that you need, not always want. A heartwarming part of the story the reporters enjoyed was “when Jeremy was being kind and gave Antonio the shoes.” 

The reporters recommend this book to children in kindergarten to fourth grades, because of the fun and colorful illustrations. The story tells a lesson that all children can learn. Sometimes we can get caught up in wanting the things our peers have. Needing and wanting something are very different things.