Sock Story - by Ck Smouha (Hardcover)

About the Book

Written in comic book form with crayon illustrations, this witty, heartwarming story about friendship and identity tells of a sock that's separated from his buddy. Full color.

Book Synopsis

'Smouha and Marton wring genuine suspense and edgy humor out of this clever, colorful tale.'-- NEW YORK TIMES A beautifully illustrated picturebook about a sock that loses his pair and the identity crisis that ensues. It's Phil and Dale's favourite time of the week - the WASH! The two socks impress each other with their acrobatics; flipping, spinning and shrieking, much to the disapproval of the other clothes in the washing machine. But why should they care? They've got each other and that's all that matters... right? When Phil goes missing, Dale is left contemplating life in solitude. After a brief encounter with a red shirt, he finds himself alone in the washing machine, lost and pink. When he is finally reunited with his buddy, Phil fails to recognise him and the socks must decide what being a pair means if one of you has changed.... Written in comic book form, and brought to life in gorgeous crayon illustrations, this a tale of friendship and identity that will delight children and adults alike.

From the Back Cover

SOCK STORY Illustrated by Eleonora Marton Written by C K Smouha British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-1-908714-59-6 First published in the United Kingdom in 2018 and in the USA in 2019 by Cicada Books Ltd 48 Burghley Road London, NW5 1UE www.cicadabooks.co.uk (c) Cicada Books Limited All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. Printed in Poland

Review Quotes

NY TIMES REVIEW - Smouha and Marton wring genuine suspense and edgy humor out of this clever, colorful tale. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: This whimsical but touching story is told entirely through speech bubbles and pattern-laced, mixed-media pop art. The illustrator simulated the look and feel of the clothes and washer by using charcoals to add texture and by placing sound effects around the edges of the machine. Ultimately, this is a story about how two twins (or close siblings) change in different ways and learn to accept that this doesn't affect their bond. VERDICT A fun format for teaching those just entering school that change isn't necessarily a terrible thing. ASSET READING ADVOCATE REVIEW: An encouraging and funny look at friendship from the perspective of a pair of socks! A brilliant message reminding us to celebrate the differences of our friends! READING ZONE REVIEW: The text mostly takes the form of speech bubbles, making this a great book for reluctant readers who don't enjoy large banks of text. The story has themes of friendship and acceptance, and ends with the message, 'who cares if we're a little odd'. The story has some unkind characters who aren't helpful to Dale as he searches for Phil, and would be a good tool for in the classroom to discuss the importance of the language that we use towards each other. This is a lovely story to share with children, perhaps to inspire them to personify another item of clothing in the wash! IBBY UK REVIEW DR. LINA IORDANAKI: This brilliant picture book can spark thought-provoking conversations on the nature of human relationships, belonging and identity in a comic way. Reading it from a different perspective, it can even raise questions about homosexuality and diversity. The story is supported fantastically by Eleonora Marton's crayon illustrations and vibrant colours. Artistic highlight: the front cover with its round hole creatively resembles a washing machine. KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW: A big round hole in the front cover invites readers to join the tumbling twosome in their exhilarating romp. In the simply drawn, brightly hued illustrations, Marton dabs simple faces onto the tumbling, rumpled laundry, presenting the all-dialogue narrative and the clunks and gurgles of the washing cycles in block letters and adding hands and a flash of elbow, both pink, as the only signs of human agency. A well-knit tale of textile togetherness. SCHOOL READING LIST REVIEW: This surreal tale explores the friendship, loyalty and joy which, for most of us, fades away after the age of 10 and is ideal for showing children how to cope with challenges. BOOK ACTIVIST REVIEW: You'll never look at your odds socks in the same way after reading this story! Sock Story brings laundry to life in a lively, humourous tale which is sure to delight young readers (and parents and carers too). Colourful, lively crayon illustrations capture the fun throughout, as Dale finally finds Phil - who no longer looks like he did before (as grown-ups will know, clothes can turn a different colour if left in the machine on the wrong wash..!). But Dale must remember all the wonderful things that really make them a pair as he and Phil enjoy the wash together again! Sock Story is a really great way to spark a conversation on things we have in common, outside of the way we look and will provide lots of laughter at story time. HORN BOOK: Everything about this British import works--from the humorous, original story; to the relatable, endearing main characters; to the valuable and organically delivered message. The comics-style presentation--all dialogue and sound effects--makes everything feel fresh and dynamic; and the ink, charcoal, and mixed-media illustrations, in a riot of bright colors on saturated pages, are as exuberant as our forever-matched pair. LCN REVIEW: Not only is the book a great visual and storytelling experience, it is guaranteed to appeal to textile care people, whichever the sector - and whatever their ages. Sock Story tells the tale of a pair of socks, Phil and Dale, who become separated in the wash and follows the trials and tribulations they have to endure before they are reunited. Since reading this book I have been much more careful about pairing socks at home. This book will appeal to adults and children alike and really is a tour de force in endearing story telling as well as being a steal at just £9.95. READ IT DADDY: The first thing we loved about this book was the bright and colourful illustrations, full of character and fun. The second thing is the fact that the story is told largely through dialogue, like a comic strip - which actually makes it really fun to read aloud (particularly if I read Phil's bits and C reads Dale's parts). The book is gorgeously presented, fabulous for younger readers (and a good sturdy book at that, important when you're reading it to littlies who love dribbling on and chewing books!) THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW - A wonderfully charming and original picture book story with a valued underlying message concerning differences brought about by change, 'Sock Story' is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 3- 8. THE AOI REVIEW: The text is bold, bright, and the crayon style illustrations seize the attention immediately. The comic book format makes it quick paced and the plot works in elements of identity, belonging and friendship. Marton's illustrations are almost overwhelming in palette and composition, but are engaging in their sheer friendliness, and half of the fun of the book will be in the excitement generated through the personification of the set of clothing that Marton has created. The stylistic naïveté that has been harnessed is also instantly accessible to children, and easily replicated, making Sock Story a sure favourite and an influence on their own early creative output. KIDLY REVIEW: This story solves all the mystery over the sock that always goes missing in the wash. We love how it's fun for both kids and adults. This is a great book that will last for years to come.

About the Author

Eleonora Marton is an Italian illustrator living and working in London. She is the author of DIY ABC (Cicada, 2016) and Bigger (Cicada, 2017). CK Smouha is a television writer and author living and working in London. She is the author of Born Bad (Cicada, 2017) and Iced Out (Cicada, 2019).