Boo's Shoes by Sabrina Durant
When’s the last time you learned a new skill? As adults we typically know how to complete the actions of our everyday lives. When we do choose to learn a new hobby, it’s often for the sake of trying something new — whether it’s taking Spanish lessons or learning a new instrument, we’ve signed up with the intention of enjoying a new activity.
For kids, however, things aren’t so simple. There’s so much of the world that they have yet to experience and so much preparation to do before they’re ready for new adventures. With so much to learn, facing yet another challenging new task can be daunting. The art of tying shoelaces is just one of these tasks, and one that children oftentimes have trouble with. But if you’re a parent struggling to teach your child to tie their shoes, have no fear. Author Sybrina Durant has set out to do just that in her new book Boo’s Shoes – A Rabbit and Fox Story: Learn to Tie Shoelaces.
NOT SO SCARY ANYMORE
The aficionado of countless shoes, Boo the rabbit is thrilled with his collection. He has cowboy boots, rollerblades and even a pair of light-up sneakers! Best of all, none of these shoes have laces, and that’s just the way he likes it.
So it’s understandable that Boo’s not particularly thrilled when his friend Farah Fox brings over a new pair of laced sneakers. While Farah can see that he’s skeptical, she assures him that once they practice together, Boo will be a pro in no time. She reminds him that learning to tie knots isn’t just for shoelaces: “you can use ropes or strings to rig a sail, fly a kite … make bracelets to share with friends.”
Encouraged by her words, Boo agrees to learn. As the two sit down and take their shoelaces in hand, the book’s illustrations shift to include diagrams of each stage in tying a pair of shoelaces. As Farah guides Boo through each step, these clear visual instructions will help young readers to learn alongside the book’s protagonist. With Farah Fox’s patient teaching, your little one will soon have the classic “bunny-loop” knot mastered!
A FUN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE
When it comes to teaching young children new skills, making it feel like a chore is a recipe for disaster. By spinning the lesson of tying shoelaces into something fun, Boo’s Shoes helps young readers look forward to learning new abilities, rather than feeling forced to try something out of their comfort zone. It helps that the story itself is an enjoyable read: Pumudi Gardiyawasam’s colorful illustrations will catch your child’s eye, while Durant’s lyrical rhymes will make the read-aloud experience fun for both parties.
And speaking of lyrics — even after the end of the story, this book isn’t done with the fun. The book includes a song called “No Laces,” as well as a celebratory badge that parents can use as a reward. Even the adults receive a guide on how to properly teach the lesson, encouraging them to make the experience both formative and fun for kids. Ultimately, Boo’s Shoes is both a wealth of information for teaching your child how to tie their shoes, and a bonding moment between parent and child.
