Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood: A Star Is Bathed

Rating:
Summary: Sock Monkey Rules the World
Review: "Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood" has been out only a couple of weeks and already Important People are saying it's the best thing since "Walter the Farting Dog." If you know children's books, you know that that to be mentioned in the same breath as dog flatulence is, in fact, A VERY GREAT COMPLIMENT. It's a compliment that Cece Bell has earned. To give full disclosure here, I'm a friend of Cece's so sure, I'm biased. But I couldn't go another day without making sure there was someone on this site attesting to SM's many merits. I'm a fan of good children's writing and illustration. This book has both. It contains lots of cool, quirky details; there are plenty of fun things for the grown-ups to notice after they've read this to the kids a thousand times. There's the design on SM's bathing cap, for instance, and the chattering teeth in the back row at the Big Theatre. The book is geared toward kids ages 4 to 8, but my 20-month-old son is a fan. (He likes it best when Sock Monkey says: "Water! Yikes!") I give it the highest of ratings.

Rating:
Summary: Hip, funky and not without an important lesson!
Review: I saw this book at a friend's house and now I've gotta get it for myself. I'm a long-time fan of Sock Monkeys, and this Sock Monkey is as adorable as they come. Parents will like this book because of the very cool illustrations and the humor. Kids will probably identify with the bath-hating Sock Monkey. The thing that really struck me about the book was that, of course we are all expecting Sock Monkey to win the award for which he's been nominated, and he actually DOESN'T.....and life goes on! He's gracious about it, kids get to see that we can't always get first prize, and whaddaya know, he ends up getting a prize, too....a nice touch. Definitely a great kids' book...with an actual sock monkey, it would make the perfect gift set!

Rating:
Summary: Hip, funky and not without an important lesson!
Review: I saw this book at a friend's house and now I've gotta get it for myself. I'm a long-time fan of Sock Monkeys, and this Sock Monkey is as adorable as they come. Parents will like this book because of the very cool illustrations and the humor. Kids will probably identify with the bath-hating Sock Monkey. The thing that really struck me about the book was that, of course we are all expecting Sock Monkey to win the award for which he's been nominated, and he actually DOESN'T.....and life goes on! He's gracious about it, kids get to see that we can't always get first prize, and whaddaya know, he ends up getting a prize, too....a nice touch. Definitely a great kids' book...with an actual sock monkey, it would make the perfect gift set!

Rating:
Summary: Margie says - you'll love this book!
Review: If this isn't one of the cutest and most clever books I have ever seen, well, I don't know what is. You will love it, your children will love it, and so will the neighbor children. The illustrations and story are bright, funny, and very appealing. Cece Bell is obviously full of great ideas and I can't wait to see what she offers to us next!

Rating:
Summary: "And the Winner Is. . ."
Review: Sock Monkey has just received an invitation to the Oswald Awards as a nominee for Best Supporting Toy. The invitation states that "Nominees must be clean" which creates a dilemma for Sock Monkey since he is a very active toy and has never taken a bath. Anyone who has ever thought of clean as a necessary evil can relate to this story as Sock Monkey's thoughts turn to "The stinky soap! The icy water! The scratchy towels!" He's sure he will be left blotchy, lumpy, and shrunken, but his friends come to the rescue. During the cleaning process, the text uses sounds effectively through alliteration and consonance which add to the reader's and listener's enjoyment--"Simian Springs, Mystical Monkey Mountains, perfectly pure Lilypad Pond, and Sahara Sands." This book follows the typical award show format, and the reader can smile along with the idea of triumphant toys receiving awards as well as feel the disappointment of the losers. Older readers may pick up on the humor or the toys' movie titles (Teddy Bear in Kids, I Shrunk the Honey or Baby Doll in Charlotte's Wet) while the illustrations add to the fun by their portrayal of the characters in the cartoon-like simplicity with which they are drawn. Although the illustrations are elementary in design, the strong colors draw the eye and add to the story line. The sock monkey toy may be unknown to a young reader, but his depiction (complete with sock texture) helps familiarize and endear the reader to him. The conclusion of the book is the only detriment in that it seems somewhat contrived and abrupt, but overall, I feel this book is an excellent first effort.

Rating:
Summary: You too will love Sock Monkey
Review: This book is hilarious. Lured by Sock Monkey's jaunty stance and knowingly vacant gaze, I had to stop and read it cover to cover, hogging up the aisle at the bookstore and smirking aloud to myself. That Sock Monkey is a charmer. Cleverly written and illustrated, with a sly wit appealing to any age (although, the ending was a little abrupt), I bought it for my niece, but am tempted to keep it for myself. You must read Sock Monkey. You must enjoy Sock Monkey's socky hilarity for yourself. You must bring Sock Monkey home with you.

Rating:
Summary: Unique and Entertaining
Review: What else can I say? I do believe this is the best children's book ever!!

As a lover of sock monkeys, I can't begin to say how absolutely great (and adorable) this book is!!

I bought a copy for myself, a friend ... and I'm planning on buying at least one more copy!

Rating:
Summary: Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood: A Star Is Bathed
Review: With the exception of Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," "Sock Monkey Goes To Hollywood" is the most entertaining children's book we've read to our son, and, trust me, we read many books to our one-year old. This book always cracks me up, and succeeds because it entertains on several levels. Adults will appreciate the satire, and your child will enjoy the illustrations.

I think that anyone who assigns less than five stars to this book needs more sock monkeys in his/her life. Even if you don't have a child, buy this book. You'll love it.