The Bootmaker and the Elves

Book Review:

This book is a delightful southwestern retelling of the original fairy tale, "The Shoemaker and the Elves." In this version, no one wants to buy the bootmaker's ugly, uncomfortable boots. Down to the very last piece of leather, the bootmaker cuts out the pattern and leaves it on the workbench before going to bed. The next morning he and his wife awaken to find a beautiful pair of boots on the workbench. A customer buys them immediately, giving the bootmaker enough money to buy leather for more boots. Again he cuts out the leather and leaves it on the workbench and the next morning there are two beautiful pairs of boots. The cycle continues until finally, the bootmaker and his wife discover the source of this magic. To thank the two elves who have been helping them, they decide to make them new cowboy outfits complete with itty-bitty boots. From this time on, the bootmaker, who has been studying the boots made by the elves, is able to make wonderful boots of his own. This imaginative story, accompanied by Tom Curry's detailed illustrations, provides a wonderful example of adapting well-known children's literature to the Southwest.

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