Northern Lights Book Awards
My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders / Mis zapatos y yo: Cruzando tres fronteras
Winner of the Picture Book Non-Fiction Category
Author: René Colato Lainez
Illustrator: Fabricio Vanden Broeck
Piñata Books
My Shoes and I starts with René receiving a brand-new pair of shoes from his mother, who lives in the United States. Soon, René and his father set out on a dangerous journey to join her.
Escaping the ravages of civil war, they leave El Salvador and travel through three countries as undocumented immigrants. René and his shoes endure a sharp nail, muddy roads, bad weather, long bus rides … the list goes on and on. You can imagine it isn’t long before the shoes lose their shine. And their travels are far from over! Before reaching Mama, they must climb mountains and cross rivers. Now René s shoes have so many holes they are full of pebbles. But with Papa’s encouragement René and his shoes persevere. No obstacle, climate, or situation can stop him from reaching the arms of his mother.
René Colato Lainez has done a compelling job of bringing his personal journey to life, showing us how he had to learn the wisdom of Lao Tzu’s quote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” at a tender age. The reader also gains a glimpse of what it’s like to travel through foreign territories, mostly by foot, hoping and praying for a better life.
My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders / Mis zapatos y yo: Cruzando tres fronteras teaches us that everyone’s walk in life is different. So it’s time to lace up your shoes, slip on your flip-flops, or buckle your boots and walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
You can view the full list of Northern Lights Book Award winners here:http://northerndawnawards.com/2019-northern-lights-book-awards-winners/
Disclosure of Material Connection: This page includes “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we might receive an affiliate commission.