The Last Pair of Shoes

Friedman's moving story gently illustrates the proverbial lesson thateven those who have little, still have lots to give. Framed as a story within a story, Shalva, the old shoemaker relates an anecdote to the narrator. Years ago, when Shalva's cobbler father disappeared during WW II, the boy was left to carry on in his father's place. Shalva taught himself to make shoes and became a solid craftsman. As the months passed, he began to run out of materials and used the last of his leather to make a much-needed pair of shoes for himself. But when a poor man desperate for shoes offered to buy that last pair, Shalva faced one of the biggest dilemmas of his life. He came up with an inventive if not wholly realistic solution, but one that was heartfelt nonetheless. The text has a nice yarn-spinning feel, and it's peppered with historical and intergenerational references that could be jumping-off points for other family discussions. Seva's often dramatic illustrations, largely steeped in shadow and sepia tones, set an Old World mood that proves a perfect fit. Ages 5-up. (Oct.)