Come and join me as I talk with author Gladys Barbieri on Stories From Unknown Authors about her book Rubber Shoes, A Lesson In Gratitude on http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors @ 1 pm EST today.
Rubber Shoes by Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri
Hardcover: 32 pages
http://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Shoes-Gratitude-lecci%C3%83%C2%B3n-gratitud/dp/1601310781/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337945206&sr=1-2
Summary:
Gladys Elizabeth is very disappointed with the new shoes her mother picks
out for her. After trying unsuccessfully to rid herself of the shoes, she is
taught a lesson in gratitude that changes her feelings about them. This is a
bilingual English-Spanish story.
Bio:
Gladys Elizabeth Barbieri is a first grade teacher at Felton Elementary School in the Lennox School District. She received her B.A. in Communications from the University of San Francisco and her M.A. in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Being that her parents immigrated to the US, her father from Nicaragua and her mother from El Salvador, Gladys understands the balancing act a child learns in becoming bicultural and bilingual, as well as how crucial literacy is in the development of an individual's success. Gladys is passionate about literacy and hopes to one day open literacy clinics for underrepresented students.
Review:
Rubber Shoes is a story about gratitude in younger children. As parents we know very well the wants our children have. But how do we teach them to be thankful for the things they do have? This book is a start in that direction. Gladys is a child who wants a new pair of ballerina shoes. Her mom, being practical, decides on a pair of brown shoes that are on sale. Feeling that the shoes are the ugliest shoes ever, Gladys decides to rid herself of them. The problem is they are indestructible. But one day she grows out of them. Happy that she can finally get a pair of shoes that SHE wants, she is surprised when her mother takes a detour away from the shoe store taking her old shoes and giving them to a girl who absolutely loves and appreciates them way more than she ever did. A girl who cannot afford shoes. Will the act of her mothers kindness towards others change Gladys' attitude?
This story relays a very good message children of all ages will understand. Be thankful for what you have because there are children out there less fortunate who have nothing at all. If a child puts themselves in their shoes for awhile, they might begin to understand how lucky they are, and how thankful they should be about the things they have, not just toys or clothing, but the people that are in their lives that love them everyday. Children take many things for granted because in their little eyes, life revolves around them. They don't think about how their actions affect anyone else. This book is a way to teach children to look at the the bigger picture of things and to think of others needs and not just their own all the time. It also teaches children to be practical in their decision making.
Renee, thanks a million for letting me share and blab about RUBBER SHOES, myself and my dear mother:) She gave me a sideways smirk when she listened to the interview;)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to have you on the show. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteRenee