Socks: A Kid's Christmas Lament

by J.D. McPherson, Anika Orrock (illustrator)

Rock and roller JD McPherson’s comical salute to Christmas curmudgeons hops from stage to page, making for the stocking stuffer of the season.

This is the worst gift I ever got!
It doesn’t beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box!
Why’d they waste the paper on a lousy pair of SOCKS?

It’s the dawn of Christmas morning, and this child can no longer wait, furtively tiptoeing straight to the unlit Christmas tree. There lies a festive box, brightly wrapped, with their name on it. A shake for good measure, and then . . . wait, seriously? What did they ever do to deserve this? Based on the cult classic “Socks” (from his eponymous Christmas album), bluesy rock and roller JD McPherson pays hilarious homage to a stereotypically bad gift—and its disappointed recipients—in a deftly extended picture-book version of his song. Brought to energetic life in droll, retro artwork by Anika Orrock, who illustrated the album cover and liner, Socks will prove a perfect fit for anyone who has ever gotten stressed over holiday gift-giving—and everyone, big or small, who’s come to appreciate the love wrapped up in even the humblest present. Includes a QR code to the “Socks” song.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Humor, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

JD McPherson is an acclaimed roots rocker and songwriter whose Christmas album, Socks, was dubbed by Rolling Stone a “no schmaltz” classic. This is his picture-book debut. JD McPherson lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my toddler's bedtime. Rhyming story about Christmas presents. A boy sneaking under the Christmas tree to look for his present from his mom. He shakes the box but didn't like what he hears. He opens the box and fainted back on the floor because his presents were socks. He searches around his stocking by the fireplace and to his added disappointment, finds more socks. He thinks maybe his mom hides his presents in the laundry room but to his dismay, he found a lot more socks!! He complains that he was a good boy and did everything or almost everything he was supposed to but why he only got socks?! Fun story and illustrations!

Thank you Candlewick Press and Walker Books for the opportunity to read and review!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

May have to add this to each gift of...socks tomorrow family. It's our family joke-tradition.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect Christmas read-aloud! The boy in the story wants robots, go-karts, action men and so much more under his tree. The anticipation of the holiday finally gets the best of him in the middle of the night and he peeks! And what is in his stocking? Just some socks. Seriously, just socks. No other gifts. Not a toy in sight. He spends the rest of the night thinking about how he would have enjoyed the toys. There are also plans in the works for getting back at Santa next year.  No more cookies for him.  Only socks! In the end though, when the whole family has the same socks, he realizes maybe Christmas doesn’t come in a box. 

The illustrations complement this story perfectly. Simple line drawings are used for the characters and pets, with color coming from the clothes and the background. It is a great way to keep the focus on the text but still supply strong visual support. This is a silly and engaging read with the addition of a moral at the end. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s the dawn of Christmas morning, and this child can no longer wait, furtively tiptoeing straight to the unlit Christmas tree. There lies a festive box, brightly wrapped, with their name on it. A shake for good measure, and then . . . wait, seriously? What did they ever do to deserve this?
.
This was an interesting book, which has taken me a moment to form some thoughts. Yes, it’s absolutely funny. And I completely understand where the story is coming from regarding Christmas morning expectations and disappointments. On the surface, I don’t think it’s funny to laugh at someone else’s expense- however I do think think book would certainly be a book that can open up conversations within families about what to expect regarding presents on Christmas Day. So because of these two sides to the story, I’m giving a middle-ish ground rating (plus the illustrations are great!)

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is based on the Christmas song Socks by J.D. McPherson. A little boy wakes up Christmas morning and opens the first present he sees under the tree to find socks. Even his stocking is filled with socks. He’s so disappointed, until he finds out that everyone in his family got matching socks.

This was a fun story based on what’s typically thought of as the worst kind of gift to receive. I like that the song can be listened to along with reading the book to give the words a lyrical rhythm.

Socks is a cute Christmas picture book!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for sending me a copy of this book! This book was gifted to me from @penguinrandomca as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character of this tale woke up early to investigate the presents under the tree, only to find socks. The horror of sock versus the hoped for pirate ship or trampoline. He is ready to leave and strike when he looks back and realizes that socks are just one gift. A gift that they entire family received and shared together. This lovely romp takes the reader through the highs and lows of getting gifts and the realization that the gift is sometimes the love that is shown not the actual socks. The retro color scheme invites the reader to imagine christmas of the past and feel the nostalgia of the time period. It is a lovely addition to christmas collections in libraries and homes. I would recommend for purchase. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming lines and digital artwork combine to make this picture book giggle-worthy. Many readers, including those as young as the narrator, will be able to relate to eagerly anticipating the opening of presents only to discover that their contents are socks. It's not that anyone dislikes socks, but they pale in comparison to other, more desirable gifts. Still, as the final page with a cozy couple shows, there is at least one person who actually loves them. Ah, the delights of toasting one's wool-clad tootsies by the fire after a long sleigh drive!

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: A boy wakes up early on Christmas morning to sneak a peek at the gifts under the tree that are meant for him. To his disappointment, he discovers that they are all socks. He searches the entire house for the gifts he had asked Santa to deliver. Frustrated and outraged, he puts on his boots to head outside and protest. However, when he sees his family, he changes his mind.

Comments: This humorous book was inspired by the song "Socks" by JD McPherson.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Ethan Tupts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lot of fun and the illustrations/artwork is excellent and gives off a wonderful holiday vibe. Great book to read for yourself or your kids.

If you have listened to JD McPherson’s “Socks” Holiday Album, you’re truly missing out.

[Christine Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly story about being grateful for time with family rather than presents. Very fun rhyme. Santa focused, no religious content.

[jamie]

Read this while waiting for my parents to check out at Barnes and noble. It was bad

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Good message!

[Chuck Beilstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite art this month!

[Judithcaryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

JD Mc Pherson’s song comes to a visually engaging story for young readers and fans of the song. Socks takes on the emotional journey of receiving socks for Christmas…. and who wants socks for Christmas?
Filled with relatable Christmas wants and whimsical illustrations that are sure to make kids giggle, while providing opportunities for meaningful conversations between reader and listener. A good read aloud and who doesn’t love to see the word “smorgasbord” used in a picture book.

Recommended for ages 6 to 10 by the SEPA Book Reviewers

[Lou Florio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this children’s book for the whole family. Serving as a lament against the injustice of socks for Christmas, who cannot relate? It has lovely rhymes to make one giggle and cute illustrations. It’s likely to become a highly anticipated shared reading each Christmas. It even comes with a QR code to help you find the song that inspired it on YouTube. (The song is also on Apple Music, etc.) Please note that my rating is meant to be in comparison with other children’s books only.