Shoes off, please

Mina and her friends love playing tag in their apartment building's grassy courtyard. But when Mina's mother calls, "Snacks are ready," they run to her door. Mina blocks the entryway, saying, "Don't forget the shoes-off rule." Her family follows the Korean practice of removing their shoes when entering their home, a custom common in many cultures. When Mina's friends persuade her to ignore the rule, she acquiesces but later asks her mother about changing the rule. Mama explains that their tradition honors generations of beloved family members, including Mina's papa. Seeing the rule differently, Mina places a Remove Your Shoes sign on their door and starts a discussion of family traditions with her friends, who start taking off their shoes before entering her home. Rhee's story reflects the experiences of many immigrants' children, whose household customs may be unfamiliar to their friends and neighbors. Mina's solution is smart and imaginative but entirely believable. Created using pastels and color pencils, the illustrations portray the characters in an endearing way. An appealing picture book that could lead to worthwhile discussions.

A child finds a way to make her friends understand the importance of a family rule. While Mina's pals enjoy coming over to her apartment for snacks, they don't love her family's shoes-off rule. Mina decides to avoid confrontation and opts to say nothing when everyone wears their shoes inside. Later, as Mina and her seamstress mother clean the shoe prints off the floor, she asks, "Mama, can we just wear shoes inside? None of my friends have a shoes-off rule at home." Her mother responds with empathy but urges Mina to think about the practice as a way of expressing respect for their ancestors, their home, and each other. After some reflection and a little collaboration, Mina comes up with a creative way to help her friends follow the rule while also learning about their customs. With sweetness, this story conveys how difficult it can be to maintain cultural traditions, especially when the pressure to assimilate comes from well-meaning friends. Still, these customs connect us to our past, and, as Mina finds, they can also be a way to honor those we love. Yim's pastel and pencil artwork captures Mina's compact apartment and vibrant community with coziness and warmth. Mina and her mother have tan skin and black hair; other characters are diverse. A gentle exploration of cultural traditions.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.