Red Shoes
By Karen English
The Story
A little girl named Malika treasures a beautiful new pair of red shoes until they pinch her growing feet, so she and Nana take them to a resale shop to begin a new life with someone else.
Why It's Special
For the kid who loves a favorite pair of shoes so much they'd never want to let them go, this story shows that giving them up can turn into its own kind of gift.
- Big idea: Things we outgrow don't just disappear — they carry our joy forward to someone new.
- Vibes: Tender, warm, and quietly hopeful, with a sense of wonder about connections across distance.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on letting go of things they've outgrown
- enjoy stories about special relationships with grandparents
- like to imagine where an object's journey might lead
- respond well to gentle stories with a satisfying sense of connection
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Malika felt when she found out her red shoes didn't fit anymore?
- Story & problem-solving: Why did Malika and Nana decide to take the shoes to the resale shop instead of keeping them?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever given away a toy or piece of clothing you loved? What happened to it?
- Imagination: What do you think Malika would want to say to Amina if she could meet her?
- Story & problem-solving: How do you think the red shoes traveled all the way from Malika to Amina in Ghana?
