The Cobbler's Holiday; or Why Ants Don't Wear Shoes

ANY FAN OF FASHION WILL DELIGHT IN THIS GORGEOUSLY ILLUSTRATED CHIC FABLE. Long ago ants only cared about two things—fashion and dancing—and stylish shoes, the link between the two, became their biggest obsession. When the ants’ only cobbler leaves town, the ants find themselves in trouble. How are stylish ants supposed to keep in vogue without new shoes' When one ant finally does the shocking thing: shows up to a dance BAREFOOT, she creates a scandal…and eventually a new fashion trend. A witty tale of change, gracefully matched with chic art depicting high-fashion in ant-sized form.

In his first children's book, Farooqi (translator of the Indo-Persian epic The Adventures of Amir Hamza ) spins a dainty, droll fable about fashionable insects. A deadpan narrator explains, "The closets in ants' houses were once full of shoes," then launches into an equation that will make readers giddy: one ant having six feet to needing three pairs per occasion to having at least five occasions means "in short, thirty shoes. All this for one ant alone." From this math-rich premise, Farooqi builds scenarios ripe with comedy, including quarrel-filled "after-party shoe searches." Then the cobbler, made rich by the ants' fondness for footwear, abruptly retires, and how are his clients to fill the breach' Yelchin (Who Ate All the Cookie Dough' ) contributes decorative initial caps and a modish Jazz Age aesthetic; his spiky-looking ant flappers and dandies sport ritzy top hats and beaded caps, tailored and fur-collared coats, monocles and, of course, elaborate footwear. White negative space, framed in a pencil-thin line, leaves the glamorous setting for readers to visualize and lets them focus instead on the fruits of Yelchin's abundant imagination. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

[Page 66]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

---

K-Gr 3— This droll fable tells how stylish ants once needed many pairs of beautiful shoes for their busy lives and favorite dance. Because the Tick-Toe-Hip-Clog-Tock-Hop requires a pair of ants to make 36 hundred steps, the cobbler ant works around the clock and becomes very rich. When he accidentally bites his foot, he decides he is working too hard and leaves town. Unable to buy new shoes or have their old ones repaired, the fashionable ants despair. One evening, Red Ant arrives at the party without shoes—or clothes—and dances gracefully. Soon all of the ants discard their shoes. Since then, all of these tiny creatures walk barefoot. Smartly dressed ants with large heads and expressive eyes are set against stark white backgrounds. Their elegant clothes are reminiscent of Russian fashion at the turn of the last century. Rich colors and interesting details are lavished on both shoes and clothes. No comment is made about the ants giving up their clothes as well as their shoes; however, smiling faces indicate they are pleased to be rid of both. Pair this book with Tony Ross's Centipede's One Hundred Shoes (Holt, 2003) to spark a discussion about wants and needs.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

[Page 145]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.