New Shoes for Leo

Gr 1-4–William’s family is packing a box to send to family members in Cuba, and William has a very special job: trying to find some shoes for his cousin Leo. On his quest, William talks to neighbors and family but all their zapatos are too big or too tall, and none are just right. As he learns more about his cousin Leo, he realizes that they have a lot more in common than he thought. There may be someone who can give shoes to Leo after all! Author and illustrator share stories from their childhoods of packing boxes for family living abroad, and that lived experience shines through. The illustrations are dynamic and have a sketched quality that combines with the watercolor medium to add movement to each page. A bright, tropical palette captures the vibrant personality of William’s neighborhood. There is also a glossary in the back with pronunciations and translations for the Spanish words sprinkled throughout the story.