Thursday, August 2, 2007

BookSprouting Review: The Radish and the Shoe by Louise Jalbert

The Radish and the Shoe by Louise Jalbert

Reading Level: Ages 5-8

Paperback, 32 pages

Published: January 1991 as The Diverting Tale of the Radish and the Shoe, Re-issued February 2006

Estimated Price: $9.45 USD

The Radish and the Shoe are the best of friends and love living together in their home, a book, which they also share with the elusive letters, who busy themselves all day with making words. The cast of characters of this beautifully illustrated story is as creative as the poetic narrative: after their home is destroyed by a belligerent pair of scissors, the radish and shoe must rebuild their book, little by little, and do so by composing a new story and cooperating with the letters.

I was originally drawn to this story after reading the back flap of the book in which author and illustrator Louise Jalbert describes how she was inspired to pen (and paint) a tale for children. Jalbert had been dissatisfied with the poor selection of literature geared towards kids and believed that authors should be creating stories that give more credit to the power of a child’s imagination. The book’s elegant illustrations reinforce the importance of imagination when reading: artist Jalbert uses abstract watercolor paintings (as well as calligraphy) to tell her story.


5 out of 5 sprouts

2 comments:

Odile S said...

This sounds like the kind of book I would buy for my children. It is wonderful in the early reading years, when children experience reading as almost magical.

Unknown said...

Radish contain high amount of water that hidrate the skin. Also contain potassium, vitamin C, calcium etc. That´s why i prefer to eat radish frequently for all benefits that brings to our body. So if you want to increase your welfare begins to eat it.

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