This book was informational and inspirational. I absolutely loved it! I learned so much and the ending was PERFECT. I was lucky enough to meet Dave Eggers at ALA Midwinter and get this book signed. He was so kind and genuine. Also, he had the people waiting in line sign a copy with a message for a family of immigrants that he was going to meet after the signing. We all wrote messages that we wanted that family to know. How cool is that? It was a fantastic experience not only to meet him, but also hear his conversation at the event beforehand.

There are many good books about the Statue of Liberty for children and adults. David Egger’s book The Right Foot is distinctive for its vibrancy, its idiosyncratic voice and gorgeous illustrations just right for a young audience. Egger takes us through a fun-filled, amusing ride of the facts, known and unknown, about the Statute of Liberty. What makes The Right Foot distinctive is when Egger’s excitement builds as he notices something new, something he did not notice before. The Statue of Liberty’s right foot is lifted, it’s moving and it’s walking! It is walking towards the “huddled masses” yearning to be free. It is not just a passive statue but an open, moving, reaching out statue that welcomes immigrant’s to the shores of the Unites States. Eggers believes that “"Liberty and freedom from oppression are not things you get or grant by standing around like some kind of statue. No! These are things that require action." And so here we see the Statue of Liberty taking the required action and it requires us to take action too. It is especially poignant and persuasive to hear this message in these difficult days of division about immigrants and refugees and who can come/not come to our borders for a better life.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Statue of Liberty. One of the world's most recognizable landmarks. Most children know the story of the Statue of Liberty and how she greets immigrants as they arrive in New York. In Her Right Foot, Dave Eggers addresses a lesser known aspect of the story: Lady Liberty's right foot. The state's right foot is raised slightly, indicating that she is walking toward arriving immigrants. This is a lovely sentiment and Her Right Foot does an excellent job illustrating it.
The being said, the target audience for Her Right Foot is ages five to eight and I felt the the book might be a bit over their heads. The tone of the writing and the asides don't seem to be on their level. It is a bit on the long side for a picture book as well. I would be more likely to hand this to a somewhat older audience.
The 'further racing's page at the end of the book is perfect for readers who finish Her Right Foot and want to explore the Statue of Liberty further. The illustrations are delightful and I enjoyed exploring the fun details on each page.

As a middle school English teacher I always found value in using picture books in the classroom. Middle school students aren’t too old to be read to, and mine always enjoyed gathering around as I read and shared the stories and illustrations in many picture books.

Both the subject matter and the fact that Her Right Foot was written by acclaimed author Dave Eggers drew me to this book. The story shares lots of facts about one of our most famous American icons that inform readers who know little of the statue’s history and provides others with lesser-known details.

I found the tone and illustrations quirky - in a way that I know middle school students love. The eventual focus on the right foot of the title is something I never noticed or thought about. The symbolism there is the focus of the final pages of this book. I wanted a stronger closing for this book, though; I turned the last page expecting to read more.

It’s hard to ignore the current political maelstrom concerning immigration while reading this book. It reminds an older reader of, or shares with a young reader, the hope and welcome that the Statue of Liberty extends to immigrants arriving on our eastern shores. This timeliness makes Her Right Foot an excellent book to share with readers of all ages.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shoe size 879? Really? Dave Eggers, writer, and Shawn Harris, illustrator, set an amusing tone to the facts they weave into their words and pictures in Her Right Foot. The book scheduled by Chronicle Books for spring 2018 moved up in the schedule to September 19, 2017 because of the timeliness of this look at the Statue of Liberty, particularly her right foot.

The book, which I read in an advance reading copy from Net Galley, takes turns being inspirational, informational, and humorous. In addition to her shoe size, an example of the humor that laces the book together shows up in the drawing of the men who first assembled the statue in France. They sprawl out on the spikes of her crown as they ponder the absurdity of taking it apart again.

Eggers and Harris give scientific information on the process of oxidation in words and pictures as the statue changes from its original brown to the blue-green patina of today. In a historical tidbit, they tell that Thomas Edison suggested a giant record player inside the statue so it could speak. That was too strange to pursue.

Inspiration comes in pictures and text as they show the welcome given to visitors and immigrants to the United States as the statue waits in the harbor. Even more striking were her broken chains symbolizing freedom from bondage.

Now you may be asking why the emphasis on the right foot. Since I learned a lesson the hard way long ago about giving away the spoiler, I’ll let you find that out for yourself. Eggers and Harris have taken an unusual look at the statue and turned out a book that will make you rush right out and buy one to read to a child. If you don’t have a child in your life, go ahead. You have my permission to buy it for yourself. You won’t be sorry.

Her Right Foot is a timely title that is needed to remind us of what our American symbols actually mean. The book is beautifully illustrated using mixed media techniques telling the history of the creation and construction of one of America's most iconic symbols the Statue of Liberty. However, the authors brings the focus into the right foot of the statue; that she is captured mid-stride. The book reminds the reader that she is walking out of chains symbolizing freedom from oppression. The book implies she is meeting those who seek to do the same after-all she is an immigrant herself. In these troubling times as we debate who can and cannot be an American this title allows for a conversation to be sparked with younger readers. I would offer this book to all Americans as a reminder for what we stand for. Beautiful title, Beautiful message.

Dave Eggers knows a lot about the Statue of Liberty and you might think you do too but there is one thing he notices during a visit with his family that will change how you look at this most defining symbol of America forever.

This was so much better than I anticipated. Yes the book is heavy on the history of Lady Liberty but it does so with cheek and sass. But the story changes halfway to focus specifically on her right foot, and how she is preparing to walk away. But where is she walking? To welcome new people to this land. The story focuses on her symbolism a friend to immigrants. As a lighthouse for those seeking a new future. A fantastic book that is the perfect lesson on who this country was and what our forefathers believed.

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers is a must read. The in depth information and attention to detail about the statue was amazing, but the most important part of the book comes in the last few pages when he explains and discusses the statue's for being in motion and the importance of that then and now. This book has such power and voice and will be important for children to hear.. I plan to use this as a #classroombookaday early in the year to help foster discussions about our current climate. Thank you Dave for this incredible book.

Fantastic picture book about the creation of the Statue of Liberty. Look at her right foot. She's on the move. "Could she be going to Trenton?" Her Right Foot reminds us to have courage to end oppression and welcome those who need us. Brilliant illustrations exuding diversity and humor. Further Reading selections included. I can't wait to recommend this book at the library!

I thought this was a super thought-provoking book about the Statue of Liberty. As an elementary school librarian, we often teach the kids about the different symbols of America, but we rarely take the time to look at all the symbols in in them. Thanks Mr. Eggers for making me stop and look at the those symbols and think about what they still mean today.

Ages 6-9. A charming picture book about one of the United States’ most recognizable landmarks. The Statue of Liberty has many symbolic features, but it’s her right foot that captures author Dave Egger’s imagination. She’s perpetually in motion! Where is she going? Where has she been?

This book made my heart swell! The conversational style makes it fun to read aloud. The first half is filled with fun facts about the Statue of Liberty, many that were new to me. I loved the paper collage style on many of the pages. It reminded me of how people from different backgrounds came together to create something new. You can see examples of the playful and colorful illustrations on illustrator Shawn Harris’s web page.

Her Right Foot tells the story of the Statue of Liberty’s long journey from Paris, France to New York Harbor. She’s a gift of friendship that came to represent hope and freedom for the millions of people seeking refuge and opportunity within America’s shores. The author theorizes on why Lady Liberty’s work will never be done and why she’ll never be content to stand still. It’s a timely reminder that our freedoms and ideals must never be taken for granted. Like the famed statue, we must always remain vigilant and keep moving to protect the values we hold most dear.

Take a look at the Statue of Liberty's right foot - she is going somewhere! After learning the history and facts about this famous landmark, Dave Eggers sparks interest in the possibilities of where that might be and what it means. Although I had been to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, there were many new things for me to learn. I loved the bright colorful illustrations. Although it reads young, it can be a fun book for any age.

This is definitely THE book to read to young visitors who become enthralled with Lady Liberty.

At first I was unsure about the voice of the story. But after a few pages, I began to enjoy the tongue in cheek narration. The author offers many opportunties for discussion about immigration then and now, which is why I suggested this for middle grade readers.

I find this book a bit clunky to read. Although the concept is good, the author's use of narrator makes it hard to follow as a story but the tone doesn't come across as a NF book either.

Playful and Upbeat

This book is the kind of project that could easily have drifted into the precious or heavy-handed. The effusive blurbs certainly made me a bit wary. Well, not to worry.

Eggers takes an interesting approach. The book starts off playful and lighthearted. We have a bit of fun with the general, you know, Frenchness of the statue. There are a few little jokes that remind us that the statue was after all basically a cool present. We follow its design, construction and transport to the U.S., with neat factoids scattered through the brief, snappy captions to the spare but colorful and expressive drawings.

As the book progresses, though, we gently and obliquely touch on the grander importance of Lady Liberty and what she represents. This is a timely reminder of what it means to have been, and to still be, and to continue to be, a nation of immigrants, but without any explicit soapboxing. The statue is a modern wonder of the world and is the most American of symbols. This book gently and open-heartedly reminds us of that, and reminds us of what it all means, while still being very kid friendly. A nice find.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)