The Blue Shoe: A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery, and Shoes
What’s inside...
Hap Barlo is in a cell, reflecting on recent events that led to his capture. He tried to help a girl and ended up ruining a coveted blue shoe, which led to him being branded a thief. He faces banishment to the far side of Mount Xexnax, a place from which no one has returned. However, this banishment presents an opportunity for Hap to possibly rescue his father, who was banished the previous year. Amidst the bleak circumstances, Hap remains hopeful that his unique combination of being a dreamer, a doer, and a thief might help him overcome the challenges of the mountain. The first edition of this story will be printed in blue ink.
Age
8-12
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Hap Barlo
Grendel
Trench
Discussion points
Why do you think Hap's blue shoe was so important to him? What does it represent?
How did the characters' actions affect their village? Can one person's choices impact a whole community?
What role does magic play in the story? Do you think magic changes the way characters behave or make decisions?
Who was your favorite character and why? How would you have acted in their situation?
If you could create a magical shoe, what special powers would it have and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of different characters, discussing how they might feel or react in various situations presented in the book.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and explain why it stood out to them, fostering a deeper connection to the narrative.
Explore the concept of morality presented in the book by discussing the decisions made by characters and their consequences, helping your child differentiate between right and wrong actions.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their interpretation of the magical shoe or writing a short story about an adventure with the shoe, making the themes of the book more tangible.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: In 'The Blue Shoe', characters who practice deceit end up facing consequences, teaching children the value of being honest.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be truthful in their daily interactions and understand that honesty builds trust.
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: The protagonist faces daunting challenges but overcomes them through bravery, illustrating the importance of courage in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to face their own fears, whether it's trying out for a sports team, standing up for a friend, or speaking in front of a class.
Example Lesson: The importance of helping others
Explanation: Characters in the story often succeed by helping each other out of tricky situations, underscoring the value of cooperation and altruism.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to help their peers, support their family members, and contribute to their community, fostering a spirit of generosity and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Consequences of greed
Explanation: Characters driven by greed eventually find themselves in worse situations, which serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand why it is important to be content and not be overly possessive or greedy with their belongings or relationships.