I do not know about the English lady and her hedgehog, but my English niece and nephew once had one in their garden! Success in finding your book has spurred me on to find another for myself. If I don't find it, I will let you book sleuths know!

Glad to hear it's not Charles Taylor All Stars that are so hot. I'd have to wonder if the Parisians were buying those.

But do they have shoes for Scarlette's "Pup"? What are all the fashion forward poodles in Paris wearing?

dln, there were alot of this topper(many books and films of this character)
I ordered hardbound edition to read on the plane and then can pass it on to a french friend who can practice her english. Miss Jaster is so delightful!

Capo-how formal you are....they are Chuck Taylors.
My kids left closets full of assorted colors/sizes when they left home.

And angela will be on my mind.

Capo, No Liberian shoes for me!!!!

Pup favors berets and red, white and blue bandanas these days ((&amp)

And I'll bet Pup is quite the show-stopper on the streets of NYC!

Update on my long-lost childhood book: I believe it is called "Shoes for Angela" by Ellen Bartow Snavely. Jogged my memory (not my feet ) with all variations on a theme, and this might be it. I sent in an inquiry to the bookshop that has one copy (via www.alibris.com, again) copy, and asked that they look at the illustrations to verify! Sticker shock: my book now costs nearly $40!!!

Damn damn damn! Didn't hang onto my Converses, didn't hang onto my picture books...

Are all Converse All Star high tops of the Chuck Taylor variety? I really hate to ask who Chuck Taylor is because I'm sure someone will make me feel stupid, but I am curious...

I was just at Colette in Paris and they did have a great variety of Converse high tops in wonderful patterns -- leopard print, florals, etc. But, at about 70 euros, I figured they'd be better to buy in the states.

Such news explains why I ignore fashion reports.

Things purchased because they are fashionable don't last, they're fads. Personal style endures.

babette, not being a sports fan, neither do I who he is/was. Mine are plain old fashioned sneakers as they have always been made by converse and worn when young because they were cheap, now, they like everything elso have to spoil the simplicity and jazz them up. Here it's only (converse) colors that have been added in our shops.

Chuck Taylor-born in Indiana 1908 (the hotbed of American basketball), played high school basketball wearing Converse shoes. He approached the Converse Company with suggestions and innovative ideas for improving their shoe. They incorporate these ideas and become the shoe of choice for players. In 1936 they made first appearance in the Olympics and were "the official shoe" til 1984. They are the #1 selling shoe of this type in the US.

My mother says,
"If you're old enough to remember it,
Your too old to wear it!"

Auntgrapes, *LOL*, you thought I was just being formal?

But they're not Italian!

Yes, Mr. Taylor does deserve respect.

Thanks for the lesson on Chuck. And to think I was born a Hoosier and somehow missed this knowledge! I'm gonna have to get me some of dem shoes!

My daughter bought a pair of black high top converse type shoes at American Eagle. They were slightly more feminine and had a raised bottom, so they were not so flat.

From previous poster: "She's only 7 ft. tall and weighs about 80 pounds...what doesn't she look good in?"

Ummm...the nude?

And yes, I know you were using hyperbole to make a point, but if she's actually 5'10" and 105 lbs, my response is the same. Blech!

Ah, Robdaddy, it's nothing a fine French meal or two wouldn't cure.