Title: I Can Tie My Shoes!
Author: Umm Jannah
Publisher: Litfire Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1682568781
Genre: Children’s Books
Pages: 28
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
With patience and practice, all can be achieved; is the moral of the children’s story titled I Can Tie My Shoes! by author Umm Jannah. This short story is about Noah, a five year old boy experiencing anxiety about going to kindergarten because he has not yet learned how to tie his own shoes. How embarrassed he would be if the other kids see him not able to tie his shoes. Although he has been shown by his mother, it hasn’t “sunk in” and Noah is frustrated.
Well, the first day of school comes around and after playing in the schoolyard the student line up. Noah has the unthinkable happen – his shoe is untied. The teacher gladly kneels down to tie it, but the bully of the class pokes fun at Noah and the other kids begin to chuckle. That evening he again practices tying his shoes. After repeated attempts, “I got it,” he exclaims. The next day another boy, Timmy, has a problem tying his shoes. Noah is more than eager to help Timmy and show him the secret of how to do it. Sharing his knowledge makes Noah happy, while Timmy is glad to have learned from a peer.
A simple story, indeed, yet one in which honest emotions are brought up; fear of being embarrassed, frustration on learning simple tasks, and the pleasure of sharing knowledge. Adults cannot imagine what occupies children’s minds sometimes, although seemingly small things to us become huge issues for kids. Umm Jannah has immortalized this childhood story for posterity. By bringing it up into a “bedtime story” vernacular, youngsters will learn the satisfaction of being able to overcome obstacles in life, however large or small they may be.
The printed format of this book has illustrations to further enhance the theme. I Can Tie My Shoes! is a perfect gift item for youngsters and will become a cherished addition to any family library.
