It was the last day of summer vacation. Tomorrow Ben was going to start first grade. His new red shirt, new blue jeans, news socks with no seams, and new brown Velcro shoes were already stacked neatly on a chair in Ben’s room. However, there was a problem.

The new brown Velcro shoes did not want to go to school, so they slipped off of the chair down to the floor, across the carpet, past Ben’s bed, and into the closet where they hoped nobody would find them.

That evening when Ben was getting ready for bed he saw his new red shirt, new blue jeans and new socks with no seams all stacked neatly on his chair, but his new brown Velcro shoes were gone!

Ben walked across the carpet, past his bed and looked into the closet and there they were.

He took the new brown Velcro shoes out of the closet and put them back on the chair with his new red shirt, new blue jeans and new socks with no seams in the toes.

Ben went to brush his teeth. But the new brown Velcro shoes did not want to go to school, so they slipped off the chair down to the floor, across the carpet, past Ben’s bed and into the closet where once again they hoped nobody would find them.

Mom came in to turn back Ben’s bed and noticed his new red shirt, new blue jeans, and new socks with no seams in the toes all stacked neatly on the chair, but the new brown Velcro shoes were gone!

She walked across the carpet, past Ben’s bed and looked in the closet and there they were!

Ben’s mom took the new brown Velcro brown shoes out of the closet and put them back on the chair with the new red shirt, new blue jeans, and new socks with no seams in the toes.

Mom went to comb her hair. But the new brown Velcro shoes did not want to go to school so they slipped off the chair, down to the floor, across the carpet, past Ben’s bed and into the closet where once again they hoped nobody would find them.
When Ben finished brushing his teeth and his mom finished combing her hair they had quiet reading and prayer time. They did not notice the new brown velcro shoes were gone again!

Later, Dad came in to kiss Ben good-night and he saw the new red shirt, new blue jeans and new socks with no seams in the toes all stacked neatly on the chair, but the new brown Velcro shoes were gone!

He walked across the carpet, past Ben’s bed and looked in the closet and guess what? There they were. Ben’s dad took the new brown velcro shoes out of the closet and put them back on the chair with the new red shirt, new blue jeans and new socks with no seams in the toes.

Dad kissed Ben and went to bed. But I bet you know what happened as soon as Dad left Ben’s room, don’t you?

Yes indeed, the new brown velcro shoes did not want to go to school so they slipped off the chair, down to the floor, across the carpet, past Ben’s bed and back into the closet where once again they hoped nobody would find them.

The next morning Ben was up early. He went straight to his closet and there were his new brown velcro shoes. He picked them up and decided to keep a very close eye on them.
                                                 
He put on his new red shirt.

He put on his new blue jeans.

He put on his new socks with no seams in the toes.

He put on his new brown velcro shoes and then went to the kitchen for breakfast.

Ben went to school and had a great day! His new brown Velcro shoes also had a great day.

They ran around, met other new shoes, and got to kick balls. It was wonderful!

Ben’s new brown Velcro shoes had a new feeling. They felt warm inside and happy all over.

Ben’s velcro shoes became worn, and happy, never hiding in the closet again, because there were two new things they enjoyed doing more than anything and that was being worn by Ben, and going to school everyday! Except on holidays and weekend of course.
This book is dedicated to my Mom, Mary who always tells me I can always do anything I put my mind to. To my loving Husband, George who let’s me be me, my friend Sharon who insisted on printing this and my two Sons Dominic and Vincent who are my inspiration for this book.