Ariba: An Old Tale About New Shoes
Ariba: An Old Tale About New Shoes
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Written and illustrated by Masha Manapov
★ A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of 2020
Marcus’ joy over a new pair of shoes reminds his grandfather of an old story about a boy named Ariba and his adventure-loving shoes. Every time Ariba put his shoes on, something crazy would happen. Once they even took him climbing to the peak of the yellow mountain! But one day, Ariba decides he’s going to move from his small village to the city on the other side of the mountains. When he arrives, he buys all new things—including a new pair of shoes. His new life has no room for the old pair. And yet, wouldn’t you know it? No matter what he does, the shoes keep finding their way back to him…
ISBN: 978-1-59270-300-5
8.66" (W) x 8.66" (H) • 40 pages • HCJ
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of 2020
“This story is great fun to share with young listeners, who will giggle each time the shoes make their way back to Ariba and will be delighted to recognize Ariba’s shoes at the end. Older readers will appreciate the gentle thread about staying connected to one’s roots. The vibrant, printlike illustrations—in bold colors, emphasizing red, yellow, and green, on thick, soft paper—perfect the silly yet meaningful story. Marcus and Ariba have brown skin; other characters are fantastical shades of mustard yellow, paper white, rusty red, and charcoal black. Read it, share it, laugh out loud.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Mixed-media illustrations in bright red, blue, green, pink, and black fill the pages with collage-style images…how the shoes came back into his possession and who Ariba is are answered in this quirky retelling of an African folktale.” —School Library Journal