Sneakers: A Graphic History

Description

Sneakers grew out of efforts to make more durable, more comfortable shoes--and became a major link between sports and fashion. Their sales rose with the popularity of tennis and exploded along with basketball, leading to celebrity endorsements, big-name brands, and continued technological breakthroughs. In the twenty-first century, sneakers are still evolving, along with sneaker influencer social media, smart tech, and other hot new trends.

Blake Hoena has written more than one hundred books for children, including an original graphic novel series, Eek & Ack, and graphic novel retellings of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Peter Pan. Blake lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and hundreds of comics. Ceej Rowland is a freelance illustrator with over ten years of experience. He loves new challenges and lives in England.

Titles focus on objects familiar to readers and trace their invention and updates over the years. Current students have never lived in a world without these items and may be amazed at the various iterations that led to the current forms. Images show bulky mobile phones from the 1980s, the simplistic graphics of early video games, and other historical details. Innovations such as the waffle tread on Nike shoes for improved traction reinforce the continuous nature of the design process. Discussion of celebrity endorsements introduces famous faces and ties the inventions to popular culture. Source notes as well as suggestions for other books and websites will lead readers to additional information on each topic. VERDICT The graphic novel format and choice of high interest topics will keep these books in constant circulation.--School Library Journal -- "Journal" (11/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)