"Kassim loved his old, patched-up, nailed-together shoes. They kept his feet dry when the streets were wet from rain. They kept his feet cool when the streets were hot from the noonday sun. They had been everywhere with Kassim, and he could not imagine owning a finer pair of shoes." Unfortunately, Kassim's neighbors and fellow merchants did not feel the same, convinced that his run-down shoes were a disgrace. When they band together to buy him a new pair, Kassim accepts the inevitable, and rids himself of his comfortable favorites. Or does he...?

This humorous Moroccan tale, in which some much-treasured shoes continuously find their way back to their owner, despite his numerous attempts to be rid of them, is delightfully retold by Harold Berson, whose other adaptations of north African folklore include the Tunisian Larbi and Leila: A Tale of Two Mice, and Why the Jackal Won't Speak To the Hedgehog. Any reader who has held onto some decrepit, but beloved article of clothing, in the face of all opposition, will enjoy Kassim's Shoes! The illustrations, done in pen, ink and pencil, add to the sense of excitement and fun. I particularly liked the decorative borders, which suggest the folk motifs of the region. All in all, an engaging picture-book, recommended to young folktale lovers - particularly those with an interest in Morocco. ( )