THE COBBLER'S HOLIDAY:
or Why Ants Don't Wear Shoes
By Musharraf Ali Farooqi
Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
ISBN: 978-1596432345
32p, A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press
Publication date: September 2, 2008.

INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered why ants don't wear shoes? Once, they did.

REVIEWS
In his first children's book, Farooqi spins a dainty, droll fable about fashionable insects. A deadpan narrator explains, "The closets in ants' houses were once full of shoes," then launches into an equation that will make readers giddy: one ant having six feet to needing three pairs per occasion to having at least five occasions means "in short, thirty shoes. All this for one ant alone." From this math-rich premise, Farooqi builds scenarios ripe with comedy, including quarrel-filled "after-party shoe searches." – Publishers Weekly

Stylish, sophisticated illustrations appropriately accompany this faux-folktale...The droll images feature expressive faces above haute-couture–clad thoraxes; Yelchin’s ants pose against clean white space, shifting perspectives and placement adding to the fun.– Kirkus Reviews

[A] droll fable...Smartly dressed ants with large heads and expressive eyes are set against stark white backgrounds. Rich colors and interesting details are lavished on both shoes and clothes. No comment is made about the ants giving up their clothes as well as their shoes; however, smiling faces indicate they are pleased to be rid of both.– School Library Journal

AVAILABLE FROM:
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Ecampus.com
Target.com

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FORTHCOMING TITLES

The Amazing Mustaches of Mocchhander the Iron Man
and Other Stories
By Musharraf Ali Farooqi
Illustrated by Michelle Farooqi
Publisher: Puffin
80pp

A giant sets up shop in a perfect little town and immediately runs into problems with the townspeople. An ambitious porker learns the truth about Madame Snotbog who loves fat little piglets a little too much.
A monkey successfully conducts his business in town until he runs into someone who is not good at monkey-math. The Iron Man learns that his moustaches love him as much as he loves them.