[.ca] Two pairs of shoes (ISBN 0921827156)

We often wear many pairs of shoes!:
This is a wonderful young children's picture book about a young "First Nations" girl who receives two special gifts for her birthday. Maggie receives a pair of black, paten leather shoes from her mother. It is exactly what she wanted for her birthday. In her excitement, she runs to her Kokom's (a Cree word for grandma) to show off her special birthday present. Her Kokom agrees that the black lather shoes are beautiful. Under her grandmother's bed is another special gift for her. It is a lovely pair of beaded moccasins. This is a very precious gift because Kokom is blind and the moccasins are hand made by her. Maggie was torn by receiving two pairs of shoes for her birthday. Which pair should she wear? She loves both the black leather shoes and the beaded moccasins. Her Kokom's advice is "today is a special day for you, for you have been given two pairs of shoes. From now on you must remember when and how to wear each pair." I feel sometimes for bicultural children, they too have two very distinctive pairs of shoes to wear. This is a great book for anyone who experiences two cultures - especially with two different ethnic backgrounds. The glossary at the back of the book is very useful. Very young children will enjoy the colourful illustrations by Native artist David Beyer. His drawings capture the delight and tenderness of the relationship between Kokom and Maggie.