SHOE WARS is a silly fun middle grade read that is somewhere between a graphic novel and chapter book. The story follows the siblings, Ruby and Bear, whose parents were in the shoe selling business until their mother died and the shoe giant, Wendy Wedge, swept in and bought them out. Their dad took their mother's designs and original shoes with him, but he knows Wendy would do anything to get her hands on them. A common casual shoe in the Pyrenees during the Middle Ages was the espadrille. This is a sandal with braided jute soles and a fabric upper portion, and often includes fabric laces that tie around the ankle. The term is French and comes from the esparto grass. The shoe originated in the Catalonian region of Spain as early as the 13th century, and was commonly worn by peasants in the farming communities in the area. [16] Papson, Stephen; Goldman, Robert (1998). Nike Culture: The Sign of the Swoosh. London: SAGE Publications. p.47. ISBN 978-0-7619-6148-2. Archived from the original on 2016-05-17.

Character shoes are leather shoes with one- to three-inch heels, usually with one or more straps across the instep to secure it to the foot. They may be soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps. Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground. [49] Salt Crystal Shoes, art installation at the Dead Sea by Israeli artist Sigalit Landau Ward, Julie (September 13, 2005). "Next big step in team spirit: Flip-flops". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011 . Retrieved July 19, 2012. Shoes also play an important role in the fairy tales Cinderella and The Red Shoes. In the movie adaption of the children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a pair of red ruby slippers play a key role in the plot. The 1985 comedy The Man with One Red Shoe features an eccentric man wearing one normal business shoe and one red shoe that becomes central to the plot.The upper helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip-flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, trainers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The upper is connected to the sole by a strip of leather, rubber, or plastic that is stitched between it and the sole, known as a welt. [57]

I have never read a Tom Gates book before, so I wasn't very familiar with Liz Pichon's writing style. Lister, Richard (February 19, 2010). "Flip-flop Diplomacy With the Dalai Lama". BBC News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012 . Retrieved July 19, 2012. In another building I was shown his manufactory of shoes, which, like the other, is full of ingenuity, and, in regard to subdivision of labour, brings this fabric on a level with the oft-admired manufactory of pins. Every step in it is affected by the most elegant and precise machinery; while, as each operation is performed by one hand, so each shoe passes through twenty-five hands, who complete from the hide, as supplied by the currier, a hundred pairs of strong and well-finished shoes per day. All the details are performed by the ingenious application of the mechanic powers; and all the parts are characterised by precision, uniformity, and accuracy. As each man performs but one step in the process, which implies no knowledge of what is done by those who go before or follow him, so the persons employed are not shoemakers, but wounded soldiers, who are able to learn their respective duties in a few hours. The contract at which these shoes are delivered to Government is 6s. 6d. per pair, being at least 2s. less than what was paid previously for an unequal and cobbled article. [36] I found this to be a very interesting read. It's a bit wild at times, but in a fun, crazy adventure sort of way. I really liked it. Boots are designed to withstand heavy wear to protect the wearer and provide good traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. They may be used for uniforms of the police or military, as well as for protection in industrial settings such as mining and construction. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards. [84] Dress and casual

Foot thongs are slip-on, partial foot covers that cover the ball of the dancer's foot so as to reduce friction while executing turns, thus making it easier to perform turns and also protecting the foot from skin abrasions. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet. They are known by various names depending on the manufacturer, including dance paws, foot undies, and foot paws. My daughters loved to hate Wendy Wedge, an awful dictator pf Shoe Town and a great villain along with her nasty assistant and spoilt brat of a son. The writing is wonderfully paced, similar to Tom Gates book, making it an easy read for even the most tired of parent. My only complaint and I even feel silly complaining about it, were the names, I found the shoe references in every name more irksome than entertaining, but the girls didn’t seem to feel the same. I liked the illustrations, the several shoe designs throughout the book and how fun and messy the end got!