Author Description

A young boy awakes to the sound of horns and sprints through the makeshift camp, where he currently lives with his family. Once he arrives at the local marketplace, he sets up his handcrafted items on the curbside to sell to the tourists from the cruise ships. Selling the items is essential, as it is the only income for the boy and his family. Times have been tough for the boy and his family ever since an earthquake destroyed their home and community, but he is hopeful when he sees the tourists rushing towards him. Then the unexpected happens and he is quickly discouraged. Today is not going to go as planned for the boy. What will he tell his family if he comes home empty handed? The fate of this boy suddenly changes when he meets a young, unforgettable tourist – the boy with the red shoes. This story is based on some events that took place at a local marketplace in Haiti while Katherine Mary Kraver was touring with her family. This tale communicates the hardships that a young boy and his family face after being displaced from a natural disaster. It shares the boy’s coping skills through loss, separation, and recovery. Not only will this story take you on an emotional, heartfelt journey, but it reveals how a small act of kindness can inspire others in big ways. Are you ready to walk a day in this young Haitian boy’s shoes?