The Queen's New Shoes

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Queen Esmeralda, the seven-foot tall monarch of Karakatoo, is not a
happy shopper. She has already bought out every shoe store in her
domain. In desperation, the queen promises to grant a wish to anyone who
can bring her a pair of shoes that she does not yet own. Many try and
fail, which only makes her more angry. Finally, a poor peasant girl
named Rada offers her own homemade shoes to Esmeralda. To everyone’s
surprise, the queen is delighted. When Esmeralda asks to hear Rada’s
wish, the child replies, “I want your shoes, all of them.”
Instantly, the queen’s delight turns to rage. Esmeralda not only
refuses to grant Rada’s wish; she walks off with Rada’s shoes,
leaving the girl barefoot in the market. Everyone expects Rada to give
up and go home, but suddenly, there is mutiny afoot. When Queen
Esmeralda opens her closet, she is confronted by an army of shoes who
demand that she honor her word.

This clever book combines a traditional fairly-tale theme with an
entertaining, nonviolent resolution (Queen Esmeralda is taught a lesson
and ultimately is much happier for it). Illustrations by Belinda Ageda
are fun and very colorful. Highly recommended.