King Louie's Shoes

May 22, 2017
Louis XIV of France commands the largest army in Europe, lives in the biggest palace, and gives the biggest parties. But there’s a hiccup, and Steinberg (First Grade, Here I Come!) doesn’t mince words: “King Louie (which is how you say ‘Louis’ in French) was a shrimp.” Neubecker (Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing), clearly having fun drawing his characters’ Baroque get-ups, portrays the monarch at a humbling height disadvantage compared to the rest of his court, which should win the Sun King instant sympathy with the book’s target audience. With every resource at his disposal, the king tries to add inches by constructing skyscraper thrones, donning gigantic wigs, and wearing towering platform shoes that launch a fashion craze, but he learns the hard way that it’s better to be respected as a sovereign than to intimidate by way of stature. Readers will pick up some valuable lessons, too: history is fun, size doesn’t matter, and grownups do the darnedest things. A closing list of facts (14, naturally) adds a bit of historical heft. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt.

May 1, 2017
Steinberg and Neubecker go for baroque in this tale of Louis XIV. King Louis XIV had the biggest palace in the world, the biggest army, and the biggest parties, and he gave the biggest gifts. Unfortunately for someone who cared about size, "King Louie (which is how you say 'Louis' in French) was a shrimp." So, in Steinberg's humorous account, he compensates. His Royal Carpenter builds him a big throne. The Royal Hairdresser makes him the biggest wig ever. The Royal Shoemaker fashions ridiculously big heels for his shoes. And each effort at making the king larger goes hilariously awry. Predictably, the message of the story is that Louie's size did not matter; the people liked him anyway because he had created a "proud and mighty nation," where they were happy and safe. With no sense of real history, this silly, enjoyable story is enlivened with Neubecker's bright palette and lively caricatures, the highlight being the full-bleed illustration of Louie's wig, too big for the page to contain, later seen drooping in the rain. The endpapers, showing Louie's colorful and high-heeled shoes, are a fitting visual footnote. Young readers will understand Louie's desire to be bigger, to impress people with his importance. Unusually, brown-skinned people are among supporting characters pictured, although it is unclear whether they are courtiers, servants, or slaves. Young readers will kick up their heels at such frivolity. (biographical facts) (Picture book/biography. 3-8)

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June 1, 2017

K-Gr 2-Louis XIV is the subject of this high-spirited picture book about the extremely vain French ruler's endeavor to become as great in stature as he was in accomplishments. After trying big hair and a big throne, Louie has the royal shoemaker construct shoes with high heels, unintentionally starting a new fashion trend for men and women alike. Everything works out in the end for the diminutive monarch when he realizes that people still love and respect him, despite his size. The feel-good story told in a conversational tone is accompanied by 14 amusing and informative facts about Louie, altogether painting a rosy picture of the king who "waged war to keep the borders safe." Neubecker's cartoon illustrations are bright and full of whimsy. The details of baroque architecture and clothing are depicted in an accessible manner, and the characters are humorous and expressive, especially the baby-faced Louie. In playing with perspective, Neubecker demonstrates how it feels to be a small king with huge aspirations. VERDICT An amusing look at history; ideal for fans of Mac Barnett's President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath and other titles that show the human side of world leaders. An effective read-aloud or read-alone choice.-Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

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