Common Sense Media Review
By Monica Encarnacion
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Immigrant boy's inspiring journey, told in two languages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MY SHOES AND I: CROSSING THREE BORDERS / MIS ZAPATOS Y YO: CRUZANDO TRES FRONTERAS is the inspiring story of René's journey to the United States. When René and his dad must leave their home in El Salvador, they set out on a grueling trek across three borders before they can be reunited with Mamà, who already lives in the United States. His mother has sent René a new pair of shoes for the journey north because it will be a difficult one: They will walk miles, ride buses, and climb mountains through El Salvador, into Guatemala, and then into Mexico, where they will cross a river before arriving at their final destination. René loves his new shoes -- "Uno, dos, tres, my shoes and I are ready to go." His new shoes eventually lose their shine, turning dirty and gray, but they become elephants, pushing against the wind; race cars, fleeing hungry dogs; swim shoes, escaping floods; submarines, navigating through sticky mud. And when holes appear on the soles and René wants to give up, his father doesn't let him: "René, my strong boy, we want to be with Mamá."
Is It Any Good?
René Colato LaÍnez's inspirational story beautifully captures the hard journey that immigrant children and families face as they travel across borders to find a better life in the United States. LaÍnez's use of short sentences, repetition, running metaphors, and sound effects make this timely story engaging to young readers. My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders / Mis Zapatos y Yo: Cruzando Tres Fronteras is an excellent story to read with immigrant children who may have had similar experiences, or to others who may be curious about what it's like to cross the border into the United States.
At the end of the book, you'll find brief bios in Spanish and English for both LaÍnez and illustrator Fabricio Vanden Broeck. There's also an author's note page in Spanish and English in which LaÍnez shares details about his journey to the United States and explains his reason for writing this book. He wants others to know about the hardships immigrant children and families face when they leave home to escape violence and crime and search for a better life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like for immigrant kids crossing the border into the United States. What are some of the challenges René and Papá face in My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders / Mis Zapatos y Yo: Cruzando Tres Fronteras?
How would you feel if you suddenly had to leave your home and face many dangers on your way to a new, unknown place?
Can you relate to René's story? Do you know anyone who has journeyed across the border to find a better life in the United States?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Fabricio Vanden Broeck
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Arte Publico
- Publication date : May 31, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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