Title: The Sock Princess
Author and Illustrator: Julie Thorpe
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64361-510-3
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 24
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
Displaying her talents in both writing and drawing, Julie Thorpe brings the story of The Sock Princess to life for children and parents alike to enjoy as she rhymes with humor a tale of a young girl with a real, honest-to-goodness sock fetish.
Finicky would be an understatement as Emily, an adorable little girl, is putting her socks on while getting dressed to go out – and time is of the essence. Not liking the plain white socks her mother picked out for her, she frantically looks through her dresser to find her favorite pair of socks; ones with red poke-a-dots. Alas she gets them but there are little bunches of cotton inside of them which, of course, need to be meticulously picked out prior to putting them on. “Emily, Emily, I’ll count to three – Put those socks on just as quick as can be!” ‘Though her mother had seen the sock problem before, They didn’t have 20 minutes or more’ is repeated by the author. Almost ready when Emily realizes there is a lump in her socks, as they’re not aligned properly around the her toes. Once again her mommy says, “Emily, Emily, I’ll count to three – Put those socks on just as quick as can be!”
This goes on until finally Emily is in her car seat being driven to her destination; when the ultimate irony of the story is told. “Oh Emily, Emily,” mother did scold, “Put your boots on before you get cold!” “It’s okay, Mommy, my feet were too hot. I don’t need any socks in these boots that I’ve got.” This brought a chuckle to me, as I am sure all readers will also get a good laugh out of this kooky little girl Emily, with her sock fetish. We all know someone like her, or maybe we all have a bit of “Emily” in us. Happy socks make for happy feet which makes for a happy child which results in a happy parent. Happiness begins with happy toes.
The Sock Princess is a jewel of a book which will bring many happy moments of laughter and comfort, while readers are lulled by the rhyming prose of a masterful writer, artist, parent and teacher. This is a classic fun book for all family libraries to have and enjoy, and passing it along to their next generation of sock princesses or princes.
