Put Your Shoes On

In Polly Dunbar’s hands, a familiar—and very funny—tale of leaving-the-house stress takes on a singular charm with her young child’s drawings in the mix.

Josh and Mom are heading out to Aunty Nelly’s birthday party, and it's time for Josh to put on his shoes. But Josh is in his own little world, and the more Mom begs him to put his shoes on, the wilder his imagination becomes. Filled with humor and winsome illustrations, Polly Dunbar’s one-of-a-kind story—brilliantly showcasing her young son’s artwork as clues to what’s going on in Josh’s mind—speaks to the universal struggle around getting ready to leave the house, a scenario both children and caregivers can relate to.

Polly Dunbar is an author-illustrator who has created numerous books for young children, including Penguin; Hello Tilly; Pretty Pru; Good Night, Tiptoe; and A Lion Is a Lion. She is also the illustrator of Ready for Spaghetti: Funny Poems for Funny Kids by Michael Rosen and Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus, among other titles. She lives in England.