Book Review: Go Go and the Silver Shoes

This picture book explores the idea of being unique and true to oneself, despite the social pressures of the school yard. A gently-told reminder that an unwillingness to blend builds character and can lead to true friendship.

Go Go is the youngest, with three older brothers whose hand-me-down clothes she styles into unique outfits. Annabelle and the other girls at school think Go Go is odd. Go Go doesn’t normally get new things, so when she has the chance to choose her own brand-new shoes, she selects the most beautiful, silver, sparkle-in-the-sun shoes and wears them everywhere. When Go Go loses one of her silver shoes on a picnic adventure, she decides to continue wearing the other one, despite what Annabelle and the girls at school say. Following her teachers request, Go Go befriends the new girl, whose fascination with Go Go’s one silver shoe leads to a surprising discovery.

Through excitement, disappointment and uncertainty, young children will easily relate to Jane Godwin’s gentle story, while Anna Walker’s collage illustrations capture Go Go’s adventurous and independent nature beautifully. Indeed, this is the sixth picture book collaboration by Godwin and Walker, their storytelling styles complement each other so effortlessly; public and school libraries should ensure they have all their previous titles. This book is suitable for children ages three to eight and may be used to support social and emotional learning relevant to risk taking, resilience, friendship, and sharing.

Jane Godwin (text), Anna Walker (illus.), Go Go and the Silver Shoes. Penguin Random House, 2018, 34pp., $20.35 (hbk), ISBN: 9780143785521