Not to rush the summer, but when you start thinking about shoe shopping, you must go to The Kids Barn in West Newton. It’s a huge place, kind of like a barn, with all the different shoe brands you like, and maybe a few you haven’t heard about. They carry all the newest styles, too. One drawback is that it’s only slightly cheaper than the mall stores, but the convenience of having everything in one place makes it worth it. We get Stride Rite shoes there, but they also carry Ecco, Ugg, Dansko (yes, they make kids’ clogs), Elephanten, and many other brands. They also carry dance shoes, dress-up shoes, sport shoes, and clothing. And parents can shop across the way at the grown-up Barn.