From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3-Littermates and fellow adoptees, two small pups share a mutual existence, eating from the same bowl, sleeping on same blue cushion, and tinkling on the same tree. However, they diverge in their daytime activities: Boot occupies the back porch while Shoe prefers the front porch. When a mischievous squirrel shakes up their routines, both dogs give chase, eventually collapsing, exhausted, into two separate heaps. After recovering, they search for one another, each taking up the other's post to wait for his sibling's return. Their vigils last through rainy afternoon, hungry evening, and shivery night, with morning bringing only more loneliness. Fortunately, "even in the worst of times, a dog still needs to pee," and the two finally meet up at their favorite tree for a joyful reunion. There is genius in this tale's simplicity and Frazee's understated text, repetitive language, sentence structure, and perfect comic timing play the heartwarming humor to the hilt. The pencil-and-gouache artwork, set against creamy French vanilla backdrops, blends precise lines with fluid motion, and the muted colors subtly mirror the narrative's restraint and changing moods. The snow-white pooches, with their black button noses and eyes hidden by furry fringe, are true charmers, and their emotions are masterfully conveyed through eloquent body language. A dog-lover's delight and tender ode to friendship.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journalα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
* “There is genius in this tale’s simplicity and Frazee’s understated text, repetitive language, sentence structure, and perfect comic timing play the heartwarming humor to the hilt. The pencil-and-gouache artwork, set against creamy French vanilla backdrops, blends precise lines with fluid motion, and the muted colors subtly mirror the narrative’s restraint and changing moods. The snow-white pooches, with their black button noses and eyes hidden by furry fringe, are true charmers, and their emotions are masterfully conveyed through eloquent body language. A dog-lover’s delight and tender ode to friendship.”
—School Library Journal, August 2012, *STAR
* “Boot and Shoe, Shoe and Boot—they’re a perfect pair…. Two-time Caldecott Honor winner Frazee creates the dogs’ world in a series of cozy, expressive vignettes (nestled in plenty of white space), which capture the devoted friends’ joy and angst in shades of muted green and yellow. Full-page spreads offer up views of their tidy house, both porches visible, and a particularly amusing image depicts (seemingly) hundreds of squirrels and shaggy pups chasing one another around, up, and over the structure. Rarely have dogs—or footwear—been so charming.”
—Booklist, August 1, 2012, *STAR
* “This gem about canine siblings goes from peaceful routine to funny mayhem to erroneous bereavement—and relief…. Gouache and black pencil create warm vignettes and sturdy spreads with a vibe both lively and mellow. Creamy, speckled paper matches organic, hand-lettered text…. Frazee conveys painful and soothing depth with ease, which is especially impressive given that Boot and Shoe’s eyes can't be seen. Read unhurried, in a lap, again and again.”
—Kirkus Reviews, July 25, 2012, *STAR
“The sprightly lines of Frazee’s black-pencil and gouache illustrations add to the humor of this nimble tale of misplaced assumptions, which is reminiscent of the physical comedy of a Buster Keaton movie and just as entertaining.”
—Horn Book Magazine, September/October 2012
“A genius at capturing human expression and antics, Frazee (“The Seven Silly Eaters,” “The Boss Baby,” “Clementine”) seems equally unrivaled at depicting canine behavior and emotion. Boot and Shoe are brothers who live peacefully in the same home, sharing food bowl and bed, but then each retreating to his own porch for rest and contemplation. One day, a scampering squirrel mixes things up; chaos ensues. Expertly drawn, full of humor and affection and beautifully arranged, “Boot & Shoe” is a jubilant romp from beginning to end.” ― The New York Times, September 16, 2012
* “With restrained humor and an eye for homey detail, Frazee (The Boss Baby) introduces near-identical terriers who lead a life that is “exactly perfect for both of them.”…. Like Elisha Cooper’s recent Homer, this is an everyday dog story elevated to a thing of beauty by understated artwork and prose. Frazee’s hand-lettered type and the subtle differences between the well-groomed dogs add to the homespun, local vibe.”
—Publishers Weekly, October 1, 2012, *STAR
About the Author
Marla Frazee is the recipient of a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Picture Book and a three-time Caldecott Honor winner. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, and Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers, as well as her own Farmer Books trilogy, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, and The Boss Baby, which inspired the DreamWorks Animation film. She is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Clementine chapter books by Sara Pennypacker. The mother of three grown sons, she lives in Pasadena, California. Visit her at MarlaFrazee.com.
