Sock Monkey Boogie-Woogie: A Friend is Made - Hardcover

Bell, Cece

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 076362392X ISBN 13: 9780763623920

Publisher: Candlewick, 2004

Synopsis

In desperate need of a dancing partner, Sock Monkey concocts a creative solution — and reveals a few trade secrets — in this sock-hopping sequel to the "Quirkiest Picture Book" of last year (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY).

The Big Celebrity Dance is just days away, and — gasp! — Sock Monkey does not have a dancing partner. His friends are all out of town, and a famous toy actor like Sock Monkey can't go by himself! Is Sock Monkey doomed to stay home alone and sing the blues? Cece Bell's famous Sock Monkey is back — with a polyester suit, some fancy moves, and a new argyle buddy who may turn out to be the perfect dancing partner. Get ready for a boogie-woogie good time!

About this title

About the Author

Cece Bell is the author-illustrator of SOCK MONKEY GOES TO HOLLYWOOD: A STAR IS BATHED. Of SOCK MONKEY BOOGIE-WOOGIE, she says, "I had so much fun drawing Sock Monkey's fancy dance moves — picturing him shimmying the night away really made me laugh my head off. Sock Monkey is vain enough to think that he is the World's Greatest Dancer, and I agree!" Cece Bell lives with the real-life Sock Monkey and his friends, along with two dogs, one son, and her husband. She likes any dance that involves shouting the words "CHA CHA CHA!"

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 2 - Sock Monkey, "the famous toy actor," has a problem: he needs a dance partner for the Big Celebrity Dance, and all of his friends are going out of town. He advertises for a good dancer, but none of the toys that audition seem to be the right fit. Then he's inspired by gifts that his traveling friends send to him. Out of a hat and sweater, a big pair of socks, and some cotton, he makes his own sidekick - another sock monkey named Sock Buddy - and teaches him to groove. Together, they have a great time at the event. This bouncy tales skips along on the strength of Bell's colorful, cartoon digital illustrations. Readers will giggle at Sock Monkey's array of failed partners - from a troll doll who's "Too funky" to a pair of chattering teeth with bad breath - and the illustrations of Sock Monkey and Sock Buddy breakdancing, doing the hula, and disco dancing take the story right over the top. All in all, this offering is as light as cotton candy. - Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PreS-Gr. 2. These days, children are more likely to find sock monkeys in picture books than in their toy boxes. Bell's character, first introduced in Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood (2003), is an ironic fusion of modern and old-fashioned, a digital assemblage of smooth curves, bold shapes, and swatches of scanned-in knit fabric. Here, Sock Monkey discovers that his friends will be out of town for the upcoming Celebrity Dance. After auditioning dance partners to no avail (robot is "too clunky," plastic troll "too funky"), he sews the companion of his dreams from a pair of argyle socks. The notion of two male sock monkeys twistin' the night away may seem cheekily progressive to some adults, and, much like sisters Kara and Jenna Lareau's Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party (2004), the book's most passionate fans are likely to be adults for whom sock monkeys evoke strong nostalgic emotions. Still, the silly, cheerful artwork and story will attract kids' attention, and the enthusiasm beaming from their elders will seal the deal. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 076362392X
• ISBN 13: 9780763623920
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Bell Cece