Sock Story: C K Smouha, illustrated by Eleonora Marton - Hardcover

Smouha, C K

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 190871459X ISBN 13: 9781908714596

Publisher: Cicada, 2018

Synopsis

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, with gorgeous crayon illustrations, this a tale of friendship and identity that will delight children and adults alike.

About this title

Review

NY TIMES REVIEW - Smouha and Marton wring genuine suspense and edgy humor out of this clever, colorful tale.

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.

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. Written by C K Smouha and illustrated by Eleonora Marton, 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.

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).

About this edition

• Publisher: Cicada
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 190871459X
• ISBN 13: 9781908714596
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 38
• Illustrator: Marton Eleonora