Mary Janes

Franca Cavagnoli & Mara Cerri

Chiara and Giovanna are best friends and play together all the time because they live in the same building. But whenever Giovanna comes over, Chiara always hides her dolls. Giovanna comes from a wealthy family, while Chiara’s mother is just a humble seamstress. One day, when Giovanna’s mother notices how much Chiara admires a pair of her daughter’s shoes, she decides to buy a pair for her. But Chiara’s mother, hurt and proud, returns the gift. Chiara is devastated, and so is Giovanna. Their friendship seems to crack.
Until Chiara, thinking back on her mother’s moment of pride, realizes something important: learning to share, her dolls as well as her feelings, might be the wisest way to show love.

Sharing or owning? An emotionally powerful, thought-provoking story about a mother’s overwhelming pride when her daughter is given a pair of shoes she herself cannot afford and a little girl’s reluctance to share her precious toys.

Other books by Mara Cerri