Independent reading grades 3-5

Genre: Fantasy
Age Appropriateness: primary
Media: digitally
Review:This book is about how Sock Monkey the famous toy actor needs a partner for the Big Celebrity dance! When he asks his friends to go with him, they are all going to be out of town. Sock Monkey decides to put up signs asking people to dance with him on his big day. He finds a lot of animals that want to dance with him however, they are not very good so he decides to make his own Sock Monkey friend that he takes with him to the Big Celebrity dance.
Critique: This is a good fantasy book because it teaches kids about dancing and about friendship through talking animals, and through animals dancing, all of which can not happen in real life.

Sock Monkey returns in this second picture-book devoted to his adventures, following upon his debut, Sock Monkey Takes a Bath. When his friends all go away right before the Celebrity Dance, Sock Monkey finds that he has no dance partner for the big night, and that all of the toys which answer his advertisement simply aren't suitable to dance with him. What will he do? Fortunately, gifts arrive from his vacationing friends, and Sock Monkey hits on the perfect solution: he will create his own partner...

Originally published in 2004 and then reprinted in this new (apparently slightly larger?) edition in 2015, Sock Monkey Boogie-Woogie (it included the sub-title "A Friend Is Made" in the original) continues the fun, as Sock Monkey once again must make changes, in order to participate in a public event. I have seen the story compared to Frankenstein in other on-line reviews, but while I can certainly see why some hold that view, I found this less horrific and/or tragic than comical. The artwork, created digitally, is brightly colored and likewise humorous. Recommended to anyone who loves sock monkeys, or who enjoyed the first Sock Monkey story. ( )

This book is sure to be adored by kids of both genders and many ages. It follows the journey of the celebrity Sock Monkey as he searches for a dance partner for a big dance. His friends end up being busy on vacation, but he uses their souvenirs to build a new dance partner. Sock Monkey’s character is well developed. The author uses thought bubbles in addition to the text to add humor and more detail. For example, as he is making his friend he is thinking “la, la, la!” The language is rich with fun vocabulary words such as “Shimmy,” “masterpiece,” and “convertible.” The book also focuses on the emotion of nervous, because Sock Monkey and his new friend feel it. Another wonderful aspect of this books is the illustrations. They bright, colorful, have dark outlines, and are not too overstimulating. They help with comprehension and humor but do not take away from the simple, cute story. Another aspect worth mentioning is that Sock Monkey makes Sock Buddy, and they both dress in tuxes and dance together. It is nice the author strayed from the classic male and female dance duo. I recommend this book all the time! ( )

A fun filled tale of imagination with wonderful illustrations. Humour is layered in this book making it appealing to younger and older kids.