MIA'S BLUE SHOES

Garda’s picture book explores childhood identity through a pair of blue shoes.

When Mia’s friends notice that her favorite blue shoes clash with their pink ones, she’s quickly left out of a game of Pink Princesses. And although Mia is disappointed, she isn’t ready to trade her beloved shoes, or herself, for a place in the jungle gym, which they pretend is a castle. Her friend Kate is the strictest when it comes to the rules. She insists that there’s “no such thing as a Blue Princess,” suggesting that Mia should be a monster if she wants to join in. Mia instead plays by herself, sad to miss the fun, but determined to be herself. Thankfully, Mia’s grandmother steps in with reassurance and a pack of sparkly stickers, which Mia uses to transform her blue shoes into something dazzling. Soon, the friends who excluded her are captivated. Rosie invites Mia back to play with them, crowning her the “Queen of Sparkles.” Instead of holding a grudge, Mia shares her stickers with everyone so they can play together. Garda, whose background is in the beauty industry, delivers a clear and heartfelt message about belonging and being yourself. The story is an excellent tool for showing young readers the importance of doing your own thing, even when it doesn’t match others’ expectations. After all, as the book’s message goes, fitting in through conformity never feels as good as being accepted for who you’ve been all along.

A heartwarming tale about the confidence that comes from staying true to yourself.