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One Shoe Blues
One Shoe Blues is a thoroughly captivating story and a dazzling music video. And what an unexpected yet oddly perfect Sandra Boynton and—wait for it—B.B. King! Boynton writes, designs, and directs (her first film ever), B.B. stars (singing, playing, and turning in a wry and brilliant comic acting performance), and exuberant Boynton sock puppets chime in.
The song that first appeared—to widespread acclaim—in the celebrated Blue 17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never now becomes a true star turn. The DVD showcases B.B. King's legendary musical talent and sublime good-natured performance. Boynton writes the companion storybook with her unmistakable cadence and humor, and illustrates the book with lively and fanciful photographs from the video and beyond. Sock puppets lend pizzazz and gravitas throughout.
The subject is pure fun that every child (and parent) can relate to, the story of a missing shoe. Sporting a lone green sneaker, B.B. King sings the "One Shoe Blues" while his faithful guitar, Lucille, comments here and there with those famous soulful blues notes. A supporting cast of sock puppets make brief surprise appearances—and, in the case of that saxophone-playing, rhinestone-sunglasses-wearing Momsock, grills B.B. on where he might have left his shoe.
The answer, so plain to see, will tickle kids again and again.
Read it. Watch it. Sing it. It’s fun from every direction.
The song that first appeared—to widespread acclaim—in the celebrated Blue 17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never now becomes a true star turn. The DVD showcases B.B. King's legendary musical talent and sublime good-natured performance. Boynton writes the companion storybook with her unmistakable cadence and humor, and illustrates the book with lively and fanciful photographs from the video and beyond. Sock puppets lend pizzazz and gravitas throughout.
The subject is pure fun that every child (and parent) can relate to, the story of a missing shoe. Sporting a lone green sneaker, B.B. King sings the "One Shoe Blues" while his faithful guitar, Lucille, comments here and there with those famous soulful blues notes. A supporting cast of sock puppets make brief surprise appearances—and, in the case of that saxophone-playing, rhinestone-sunglasses-wearing Momsock, grills B.B. on where he might have left his shoe.
The answer, so plain to see, will tickle kids again and again.
Read it. Watch it. Sing it. It’s fun from every direction.
59 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2009
About the author
Sandra Boynton
152 books1,028 followersSandra Keith Boynton is a popular American humorist, songwriter, children's author and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated more than forty books for both children and adults, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and four music albums. Although she does not license her characters to be redrawn or adapted, she has herself designed—for various companies—calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys. —Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 24, 2009
This is Sandra Boynton's collaboration with B.B. King. You knew it had to happen. One beloved icon meets another. Let's just say - there are Converse high-tops involved, and that can't be bad.
So - I snatched this off the shelf today, and read it to myself while waiting to pick up the kids from school. Then I read it out loud to some 3rd graders while waiting for the 1st graders to arrive at dismissal (the 1st graders are always last). There is a song in this book: there is One Shoe Blues. I sang the song to the 3rd graders. Did I know the melody? Well, no. There's sheet music in the back, but I figured - it's blues. I can sing blues. The kids enjoyed me reading and singing aloud, even though they rolled their eyes. The other parents were more charitable.
When we got home, we played the DVD. Adorable. Sock puppets and B.B. King singing about how he can't find his left shoe. (The shoe is on his foot.) B.B. King's mama hollers for him to look under the bed and in the closet. He says he did. She says did he look THOROUGHLY under the bed and in the closet. (B.B. King's mama has found herself dragged into the search for a missing item before, one surmises.) Set in a lovely little red shack, with curtains blowing and trees out the window, I loved the DVD.
Oddly, the DVD was not that well received by the 1st graders and 3rd graders in attendance. I'm guessing they weren't particularly impressed by B.B. King. They don't know a blues legend when they see one. Why would they? But I was very enthusiastic, and played the thing twice, and was happy to answer the question, "What ARE blues, anyway?"
And, like the celebrity appearances on Sesame Street, I believe that such was Sandra Boynton's sneaky little plan. B.B. King is the bait to get the parents into the room, and after watching together, maybe there's more conversation. Or maybe not. Maybe Sandra Boynton just wanted to hear B.B. King sit in a chair and play her song. Nothing wrong with that, either.
So - I snatched this off the shelf today, and read it to myself while waiting to pick up the kids from school. Then I read it out loud to some 3rd graders while waiting for the 1st graders to arrive at dismissal (the 1st graders are always last). There is a song in this book: there is One Shoe Blues. I sang the song to the 3rd graders. Did I know the melody? Well, no. There's sheet music in the back, but I figured - it's blues. I can sing blues. The kids enjoyed me reading and singing aloud, even though they rolled their eyes. The other parents were more charitable.
When we got home, we played the DVD. Adorable. Sock puppets and B.B. King singing about how he can't find his left shoe. (The shoe is on his foot.) B.B. King's mama hollers for him to look under the bed and in the closet. He says he did. She says did he look THOROUGHLY under the bed and in the closet. (B.B. King's mama has found herself dragged into the search for a missing item before, one surmises.) Set in a lovely little red shack, with curtains blowing and trees out the window, I loved the DVD.
Oddly, the DVD was not that well received by the 1st graders and 3rd graders in attendance. I'm guessing they weren't particularly impressed by B.B. King. They don't know a blues legend when they see one. Why would they? But I was very enthusiastic, and played the thing twice, and was happy to answer the question, "What ARE blues, anyway?"
And, like the celebrity appearances on Sesame Street, I believe that such was Sandra Boynton's sneaky little plan. B.B. King is the bait to get the parents into the room, and after watching together, maybe there's more conversation. Or maybe not. Maybe Sandra Boynton just wanted to hear B.B. King sit in a chair and play her song. Nothing wrong with that, either.
February 5, 2018
This is just as enjoyable for grown-ups as it is for kids. And it doesn't get any better than B.B. King accompanying with vocals and guitar, although the sock puppets give him a run for his money, in the eyes of my 3-year-old. Kids will enjoy the music, and they will enjoy finding the second shoe before B.B. does.
May 16, 2023
Our absolute favorite to listen to. My six year old sings along and loves all the songs! What a fun collection with hilarious songs and wonderful artists.
Want to read
February 2, 2012It's a highly original new book and a Boynton filmmaking debut. "One Shoe Blues" is a thoroughly captivating story and a dazzling music video. And what an unexpected yet oddly perfect team: Sandra Boynton and-wait for it-B.B. King Boynton writes, designs, and directs (her first film ever), B.B. stars (singing, playing, and turning in a wry and brilliant comic acting performance), and exuberant Boynton sock puppets chime in.
The song that first appeared-to widespread acclaim-in the celebrated "Blue Moo: 17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never" now becomes a true star turn. The DVD showcases B.B. King's legendary musical talent and sublime good-natured performance. Boynton writes the companion storybook with her unmistakable cadence and humor, and illustrates the book with lively and fanciful photographs from the video and beyond. Sock puppets lend pizzazz and gravitas throughout.
The subject is pure fun that every child (and parent) can relate to, the story of a missing shoe. Sporting a lone green sneaker, B.B. King sings the "One Shoe Blues" while his faithful guitar, Lucille, comments here and there with those famous soulful blues notes. A supporting cast of sock puppets make brief surprise appearances-and, in the case of that saxophone-playing, rhinestone-sunglasses-wearing Momsock, grills B.B. on where he might have left his shoe.
The answer, so plain to see, will tickle kids again and again.
Read it. Watch it. Sing it. It's fun from every direction.
84 yr old BB King and his faithful guitar "Lucille"
The song that first appeared-to widespread acclaim-in the celebrated "Blue Moo: 17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never" now becomes a true star turn. The DVD showcases B.B. King's legendary musical talent and sublime good-natured performance. Boynton writes the companion storybook with her unmistakable cadence and humor, and illustrates the book with lively and fanciful photographs from the video and beyond. Sock puppets lend pizzazz and gravitas throughout.
The subject is pure fun that every child (and parent) can relate to, the story of a missing shoe. Sporting a lone green sneaker, B.B. King sings the "One Shoe Blues" while his faithful guitar, Lucille, comments here and there with those famous soulful blues notes. A supporting cast of sock puppets make brief surprise appearances-and, in the case of that saxophone-playing, rhinestone-sunglasses-wearing Momsock, grills B.B. on where he might have left his shoe.
The answer, so plain to see, will tickle kids again and again.
Read it. Watch it. Sing it. It's fun from every direction.
84 yr old BB King and his faithful guitar "Lucille"
August 11, 2015
In reviewing books, I tend to stick with what I read, but, as my reviews show, if there is a particular children's book of note, it ends up getting a review from me as well. This is the kind of children's book that falls into that category. The book itself is cute, sock puppets singing along with B.B. King who is lamenting to his mother the fact he cannot find a missing shoe. It is a common enough occurrence in our home to merit a book, so it works and is at least a 3.5 star work based on a realistic and humorous send up on a lost necessity. The 5 star aspect is the included DVD which features the music video featuring B.B. King playing the song as strongly as he does any other blues song. I read the book to my children and then let them watch the video and they enjoyed all of it - laughing first at the character of Momsock but then being amazed when she plays the saxophone in the video.
I am a big fan of B.B. King and was fortunate to see him in concert before his recent passing. My kids may never have that opportunity, but I am so glad this work exist to introduce young kids to basic blues and a true icon of the genre. For parents and musically skilled children, it also includes the sheet music for the song.
I was unaware of this book, but am glad I found it - just make sure you also find a copy with the DVD as it makes a good book into a great, immersive experience.
I am a big fan of B.B. King and was fortunate to see him in concert before his recent passing. My kids may never have that opportunity, but I am so glad this work exist to introduce young kids to basic blues and a true icon of the genre. For parents and musically skilled children, it also includes the sheet music for the song.
I was unaware of this book, but am glad I found it - just make sure you also find a copy with the DVD as it makes a good book into a great, immersive experience.
December 10, 2016
Not only was this a fun way to study the genre of the blues with my fifth grade students, it was plain old fun for me! And how can you go wrong with master guitarist and singer BB King :-)? The video on the enclosed DVD is fun to watch and goes right with the book. I enjoyed the sock puppet screen test.
Read
November 5, 2009The library had her musical CD, Blue Moo, which includes the BB King song "one shoe blues". We've been listening to it in the car and loving it. I sometimes play it when I'm alone too, it's that good.
May 28, 2011
I thought this would just have the words to the song in it. And the pictures from the video I've already seen on youtube. But there is more, and it is worth it. We learn the names of the talented sock puppets and other fun tidbits.
October 5, 2009
Boynton is just too clever for words. And B B King is equally cool. And Momsock--well, what can you say. Read, watch, giggle, repeat.
February 17, 2010
The book is cute but the little dvd movie that comes with it is fantastic! So much fun to watch! And a great intro to B.B.King for your preschooler!
Read
June 12, 2010This book was a little wacky. My eldest daughter gave me the hardest time for making her sit through it. The younger kids enjoyed it, and it even made me want to pull out my guitar and jam along.
March 10, 2012
This book is about hand puppets made with socks singing along with BB King. The book is meant to go along with the video and bring music into reading in a fun silly way
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews