The Flying Shoes - Hardcover

Loose line drawings roughed in with watercolors convey Myers's ( The Millionth Egg ) sprightly if somewhat pedestrian tale of pup Dogma Barker's odyssey to the palace of newly betrothed Queen Narr, who is holding a contest for "most original" wedding present. Dogma and her mother, makers of fanciful footwear for all manner of paws, hooves and reptile toes, have crafted a pair of rocket-boosted flying shoes in hope of winning the Grand Prize and drawing business to their faltering shop. Naturally, Dogma's land-and-sea mission to deliver the gift is fraught with trouble. A dastardly feline thief named Cattails, capable of many disguises but always recognizable to the reader by his bandit mask, shadows Dogma's every step and tries to steal the fantastic shoes. Simplicity and a sunny palette characterize this unexceptional story; readers may find that Cattails's constant exclamations of "DRAT!" distract from the illustrations' softness while such elements as a magical parrot seem superfluous. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Dogma and her mother enter a contest to come up with the most original wedding present for Queen Narr of Glick. They make a pair of flying shoes, and Dogma must deliver them. On her journey via bus, boat, taxi, train, and camel, she is followed by Cattails, the thief, and the illustrations show how his efforts are always thwarted at the last moment. While in line to present the shoes, Dogma drops her guard and loses them to the villain, but eventually wins since she alone knows how to activate them. This is a simple fantasy of poor shoemaker making good with honest efforts and creativity while evil forces lose. The simple, colorful cartoons feature animal characters dressed as humans. Text and illustrations blend nicely, creating a mildly amusing story for young readers. --Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.