Little Sock

by Kia Heise, Christopher D. Park (Illustrator)

Little Sock is tired of his routine. Day after day, it's the same old thing. He gets worn, he gets dirty, and he gets washed. Nothing ever changes. The other socks in the drawer don't seem to mind but Little Sock wants something different. He has heard of a place, Sock City, where everything is new and exciting, so one night he makes his escape from his drawer. Will Little Sock reach his destination? And what will he find there?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fantasy, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2019

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I KNEW IT! There is a secret tunnel in the back of the dryer where socks go to escape.

Let’s face it…being a sock can be monotonous. Socks get worn, get dirty, and get washed. Over and over again. Socks need something new every once in awhile. Little Sock finds that something and all sorts of socks and fun in Sock City. Yes, Sock City! :) Come check it out!

A cute read about change and having the courage to make those changes.

[Miss Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot is a little thin, even though this is a very cute sock.

[Lillian Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aha! So that’s where all the socks go!

[Franci · Rating 4 out of 5]

#20 of 2021

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if a washing machine were capable of doing more than just cleaning clothing?

This was one of the most creative children’s stories I’ve read so far this year. The thought of missing socks ending up in Sock City made me smile. I don’t want to give away too many details about later plot twists, but the author clearly spent a lot of time developing a reason why socks sometimes go missing when they’re washed or dried. Her reasoning for what happens to them was as it was logical according to the rules of this universe as it was imaginative.

What was missing in this tale was conflict. The characters were fascinating and the world-building made me wish for a sequel, but I didn’t feel the same way about the storyline itself. While I definitely wouldn’t expect to read anything too in-depth or potentially scary for this age group, it would have been helpful if Little Sock had dealt with more obstacles on his journey to Sock City and back home again.

The main character was such a brave little dude. His self-confidence was strong, and he always kept his head held high. I admired that about him and thought it made him a good role model for young readers. He was the sort of character who could teach more timid or frighten children a thing or two about going on an adventure and looking for the bright side of life.

Little Sock is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered what might have happened to a favorite sock that disappeared on laundry day.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this amusing picture book, I now know where my missing socks have gone. You know the ones, the socks that you throw into the dryer with the other clothing but then can never find when you empty the machine. In Little Sock's case, he longs for more than the somewhat humdrum days he spends with his sock family and friends when they aren't in the drawer. Growing tired of the mundaneness of his life, he sets off on an adventure through a secret route in the dryer. He makes his way to Sock City where there is so much fun to be had and a wide variety of socks. Although he returns home, he is certain that he'll return someday. The illustrations somehow manage to conjure up personalities for all those socks he meets. This picture book will appeal to imaginative youngsters who will wonder what their own socks get into late at night or when they're not around.

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut picture book by Kia Heise and Chrispher D. Park, is one that children (and their parents or caregivers) will enjoy reading.

Little Sock is bored. Every day it's the same old thing. He gets worn, gets dirty, and gets washed. "All the other Socks seem happy, but Little Sock dreams of something different." He's heard of a place called Sock City where every day is a new adventure and he is determined to find it--even though it means going through a scary, dark tunnel in the back of the dryer.

On the other end of the tunnel Little Sock finds Sock City and lots of different Socks and determines to go back again.

Only next time, he'll bring a friend.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Little Sock gets tired of doing normal sock things like living in a drawer, getting dirty, and getting washed. He decides to take an adventure to a magical city and the only way to get there was through the tunnel in the back of the dryer! (I know what you are thinking! GASP! NO! Don't do it Little Sock!) I won't spoil the ending for this Little Sock tale. It is definitely worth reading on your own to find out what happens and will give readers some insight to what happens to socks if they don't take them on enough adventures!

[Rachel O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I am not a terrific fan of this book...but my children love it! My 2yo asks to read it at least once a day since we got it two weeks ago. It’s a cute little book about the life of a lonely sock and how he overcomes his fear to go somewhere new and exciting. Would make a great gift for a child with a fun pack of socks on the side.

[Oxalis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the art style in this picture book, and the concept is good, but I felt that the story was a little weak. It needed just a bit more depth, but I understand that brevity does work best for readers who are kids.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Sock drew me in by its title and cover, so I wanted to learn more and find out what this story was all about. This book is geared toward grade-school readers; its theme is trying new adventures and celebrating differences. The reader is shown that being in a situation where everything is the same can become depressing and boring, and when new opportunities appear, they can seem scary. Accepting one's feelings and learning self-confidence can open the door to new adventures and exciting experiences. This book could be used in a music class to show how vital each genre of music is and how each note that is heard adds excitement to change the music. If everything in music sounded the same, we would learn to feel emotion through music, experience excitement, or feel the sound like we do. A music teacher could have students draw their feelings as they listen to the music and compare what everyone is hearing or feeling. Different cultures could be played so that students could experience different sounds. Teachers can also show how music impacts movies, cartoons, and television shows. One can do this by turning off the sound to show the importance of diversity in musical notes. A classroom can use this book to teach kindness and acceptance of what makes us all unique but similar. Socks surround the sock in the story, but we see that they all have a unique and particular purpose in the story. A teacher can talk or introduce different jobs and talk about how each is a job, but their purpose is different and just as important as the other job. Have students write down what career they want to learn more about and why that job is essential to them. Younger classes can learn the importance of trying new ideas and learn that being brave is a necessary job for them as they grow and learn new tasks. Some new ideas might be a little scary, but ultimately, being courageous and building new self-confidence is essential. Have students draw a time they were scared but became brave, or have them draw their favorite superhero and talk about how that superhero overcame to be fearless. Junior high students could use this in English class to write their own stories using imagination, feelings, adventure, and the development of a character that learns to be brave based on new experiences. I enjoyed this story and the illustrations; I thought it was fun and exciting to watch the little sock grow as an individual and learn the importance of acceptance and change. This book would be a great addition to any classroom and can be used for many lessons.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Sock wanted to go on an adventure. He sets out for Sock City located at the end of tunnel in the back of the dryer. It's a short and silly book but nice and light for a storytime adventure.

2022 storytime theme: Adventure

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--I had an idea for creating a picture book starring socks, but this one beat me to it! LITTLE SOCK is cute and a little surreal, and a lot of fun even if the ending is rather abrupt.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story with nice changes in coloring to reflect mood.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this sock! But there could have been soooo much more to this!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a brave sock who takes a risk and has fun.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/31/2020 ~ A solution to the perennial question of where our missing socks wander off to.

[Gustavo Vieira · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOCK CITY!!!

[Nancy Runstedler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the premise and the illustrations. I was hoping for a bit more development but the ending fell flat for me, otherwise it could have been a 4*.

[HappyGay Bakunzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book and my boys did too. Colorful illiterated and sweet story that answers the all important question... Where do socks go?

[curiouskat_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was used for reading time with my daughter. She seemed to really enjoy this picture book. Overall, it is a sweet and whimsical story. It even inputs elements of comparisons and opposites.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are all sorts of socks out there.

[neen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Community and commodity as a common trope within the tool box of socio emotional education has always felt strange, but reading this out loud was fun.

[Caron Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story!