Synopses & Reviews
andlt;b andgt;Two adorably floppy dogs confront unexpected change in this endearing picture book from two-time Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee.andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Boot and Shoe were born into the same litter, and now they live in the same house. They eat out of the same bowl, pee on the same tree, and sleep in the same bed. But they spend their days apartand#8212;Boot on the back porch because heand#8217;s a back porch kind of dog, and Shoe on the front porch because heand#8217;s a front porch kind of dog. This is exactly perfect for them. But then a crazy neighborhood squirrel arrives . . . and andlt;iandgt;everythingandlt;/iandgt; goes topsy-turvy!andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee brings her signature wit, tenderness, and hilarious illustrations to this tale of an irresistible puppy pair.
Review
andlt;bandgt;* andlt;/bandgt;and#8220;There is genius in this taleand#8217;s simplicity and Frazeeand#8217;s understated text, repetitive language, sentence structure, and perfect comic timing play the heartwarming humor to the hilt. The pencil-and-gouache artwork, set against creamy French vanilla backdrops, blends precise lines with fluid motion, and the muted colors subtly mirror the narrativeand#8217;s restraint and changing moods. The snow-white pooches, with their black button noses and eyes hidden by furry fringe, are true charmers, and their emotions are masterfully conveyed through eloquent body language. A dog-loverand#8217;s delight and tender ode to friendship.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; and#8212;andlt;iandgt;School Library Journal, andlt;/iandgt;August 2012, andlt;bandgt;*STARandlt;/bandgt;
Review
andlt;bandgt;* andlt;/bandgt;and#8220;Boot and Shoe, Shoe and Bootand#8212;theyand#8217;re a perfect pairand#8230;. Two-time Caldecott Honor winner Frazee creates the dogsand#8217; world in a series of cozy, expressive vignettes (nestled in plenty of white space), which capture the devoted friendsand#8217; joy and angst in shades of muted green and yellow. Full-page spreads offer up views of their tidy house, both porches visible, and a particularly amusing image depicts (seemingly) hundreds of squirrels and shaggy pups chasing one another around, up, and over the structure. Rarely have dogsand#8212;or footwearand#8212;been so charming.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; and#8212;andlt;iandgt;Booklist, andlt;/iandgt;August 1, 2012, andlt;bandgt;*STARandlt;/bandgt;
Review
andlt;b andgt;*andlt;/bandgt; and#8220;This gem about canine siblings goes from peaceful routine to funny mayhem to erroneous bereavementand#8212;and reliefand#8230;. Gouache and black pencil create warm vignettes and sturdy spreads with a vibe both lively and mellow. Creamy, speckled paper matches organic, hand-lettered textand#8230;. Frazee conveys painful and soothing depth with ease, which is especially impressive given that Boot and Shoeand#8217;s eyes can't be seen. Read unhurried, in a lap, again and again.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;and#8212;andlt;i andgt;Kirkus Reviews, andlt;/iandgt;July 25, 2012, andlt;b andgt;*STARandlt;/bandgt;
Review
and#8220;The sprightly lines of Frazeeand#8217;s black-pencil and gouache illustrations add to the humor of this nimble tale of misplaced assumptions, which is reminiscent of the physical comedy of a Buster Keaton movie and just as entertaining.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;and#8212;andlt;i andgt;Horn Book Magazine, andlt;/iandgt;September/October 2012
Review
and#8220;A genius at capturing human expression and antics, Frazee (and#8220;The Seven Silly Eaters,and#8221; and#8220;The Boss Baby,and#8221; and#8220;Clementineand#8221;) seems equally unrivaled at depicting canine behavior and emotion. Boot and Shoe are brothers who live peacefully in the same home, sharing food bowl and bed, but then each retreating to his own porch for rest and contemplation. One day, a scampering squirrel mixes things up; chaos ensues. Expertly drawn, full of humor and affection and beautifully arranged, and#8220;Boot andamp; Shoeand#8221; is a jubilant romp from beginning to end.and#8221;
Review
andlt;bandgt;*andlt;/bandgt; and#8220;With restrained humor and an eye for homey detail, Frazee (andlt;iandgt;The Boss Babyandlt;/iandgt;) introduces near-identical terriers who lead a life that is and#8220;exactly perfect for both of them.and#8221;and#8230;. Like Elisha Cooperand#8217;s recent Homer, this is an everyday dog story elevated to a thing of beauty by understated artwork and prose. Frazeeand#8217;s hand-lettered type and the subtle differences between the well-groomed dogs add to the homespun, local vibe.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; and#8212;andlt;iandgt;Publishers Weekly, andlt;/iandgt;October 1, 2012, andlt;bandgt;*STARandlt;/bandgt;
Synopsis
Two adorably floppy dogs confront unexpected change in this endearing picture book from two-time Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee.
Boot and Shoe were born into the same litter, and now they live in the same house. They eat out of the same bowl, pee on the same tree, and sleep in the same bed. But they spend their days apart--Boot on the back porch because he's a back porch kind of dog, and Shoe on the front porch because he's a front porch kind of dog. This is exactly perfect for them. But then a crazy neighborhood squirrel arrives . . . and everything goes topsy-turvy
Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee brings her signature wit, tenderness, and hilarious illustrations to this tale of an irresistible puppy pair.
About the Author
Marla Frazee has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including andlt;iandgt;God Got a Dogandlt;/iandgt; by Cynthia Rylant; andlt;iandgt;Stars andlt;/iandgt;by Mary Lyn Ray; andlt;iandgt;All the Worldandlt;/iandgt; by Liz Garton Scanlon, which received aandnbsp;2010 Caldecott Honor; andlt;iandgt;Everywhere Babiesandlt;/iandgt; by Susan Meyers; and andlt;iandgt;Harriet, Youandrsquo;ll Drive Me Wild!andlt;/iandgt; by Mem Fox; as well as her own andlt;iandgt;Farmer and the Clownandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Boot andamp; Shoeandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;The Boss Babyandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Walk On!andlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Roller Coasterandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Santa Claus the Worldandrsquo;s Number One Toy Expertandlt;/iandgt;; and andlt;iandgt;A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Everandlt;/iandgt;, which received a 2009 Caldecott Honor. She is also the illustrator of the bestselling Clementine chapter book series by Sara Pennypacker. She lives with her family in Pasadena, California. Visit her at MarlaFrazee.com.Marla Frazee has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including andlt;iandgt;God Got a Dogandlt;/iandgt; by Cynthia Rylant; andlt;iandgt;Stars andlt;/iandgt;by Mary Lyn Ray; andlt;iandgt;All the Worldandlt;/iandgt; by Liz Garton Scanlon, which received aandnbsp;2010 Caldecott Honor; andlt;iandgt;Everywhere Babiesandlt;/iandgt; by Susan Meyers; and andlt;iandgt;Harriet, Youandrsquo;ll Drive Me Wild!andlt;/iandgt; by Mem Fox; as well as her own andlt;iandgt;Farmer and the Clownandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Boot andamp; Shoeandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;The Boss Babyandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Walk On!andlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Roller Coasterandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Santa Claus the Worldandrsquo;s Number One Toy Expertandlt;/iandgt;; and andlt;iandgt;A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Everandlt;/iandgt;, which received a 2009 Caldecott Honor. She is also the illustrator of the bestselling Clementine chapter book series by Sara Pennypacker. She lives with her family in Pasadena, California. Visit her at MarlaFrazee.com.