Six and seven year olds would like this story -- eight year olds might be able to read it to themselves. There's folksy quality in the tale and the pictures which appeal more to grown-ups than to children, I think, but the main theme, of the little girl who was so bored with workaday shoes and longed for the pretty red slippers is based on a perennial appeal to all ages. Belinda gets her wish -- and then manages to convince herself that the shoes should be worn every day, with sad results. Whether she learns her lesson or not is outside the scope of the story. Attractive looking book, paper and board binding rather perishable.