Sock Monkey Rides Again

Cece Bell's Sock Monkey #3

by Cece Bell

Yee-haw! Sock Monkey lassoes a part in a singing cowboy movie — if he can only get up the nerve to kiss the leading lady.

Sock Monkey, the famous toy actor, can hardly believe his ears. He's landed the starring role in a singing cowboy movie! Now he'll get to yodel, ride a horse, lasso a cow, and — yikes! — kiss the leading lady. Sock Monkey doesn't want to kiss anyone! But it's the role of a lifetime, so the woolen thespian corrals all his friends to help him prepare. Can he resist the urge to ride into the sunset when the big moment comes? In a brilliant performance of (inadvertent) bravery in the face of panic, Sock Monkey is back — to do his fans proud.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 2006

About the author

I'm an author and an illustrator, and sadly not a jazz pianist. I live in an old church in the hills of Virginia with my husband, author Tom Angleberger. I work right next door in a new-ish barn. I've written and illustrated a bunch of books for kids and was lucky enough to get a Geisel Honor for one of 'em. If you want to know more about my hearing loss or my childhood (or both), check out my first graphic novel, El Deafo. It's only slightly fictionalized, honest! I'm at www.cecebell.com if you want to see more weird stuff.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Cece Bell's El Deafo and liked it very much, so I happened on her goofy picture books and have been reading and liking them. This one is about sock money who gets a starring role in a film but doesn't want to kiss the leading actress. . because she's, like, a girl, ew. . . and I won't tell you what happens even though you really want to know, so there.

After reading 3-4 of Bell's picture books I am not sure she really writes for kids; it sort of feels she writes for herself and hopes some fourth or fifth grade kids also laugh with her. Sock monkeys for characters? Not cute and cuddly and not a sappy story, as one might expect. Clearly with a 3.36 rating people don't "get" this woman's humor and see it as inappropriate for kids, dumb. Maybe some parents get it less than ten year olds?

I asked Harry (10) what he thought. He grinned, "It was really dumb, but in a good way. I liked it a lot. It's funny."

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey returns in this third picture-book devoted to his adventures, following upon Sock Monkey Takes a Bath and Sock Monkey Boogie Woogie . Offered the role of Red Reardon in a new singing cowboy movie, Sock Monkey is ecstatic, until he learns that he must kiss the girl at the end of the film. Yodeling, horseback-riding and lassoing are one thing, but can our toy hero work up the courage to kiss Lulu Nevada?

Originally published in 2007, and then reprinted in this 2015 edition - unlike the first Sock Monkey book, the title here wasn't changed - Sock Monkey Rides Again pairs the same quirky sense of humor exhibited by its predecessors with colorful cartoon-style artwork. Although not precisely to my taste - truthfully, I find the illustrations in these books a bit garish - I think the visuals here work very well with the offbeat humor. Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed the first two Sock Monkey stories.

[Diana Flores · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to read during Western Week at Family storytime- and requested this book from a neighboring library.

Sock Monkey is cast in a western movie so he learns to yodel - ok, he takes a horseback riding lesson - great, he practices roping - excellent, he even gets help with putting together a western outfit. But Sock Monkey spends most of the book worried about kissing the leading lady. He tries to discuss his concerns with the director before filming, but isn't able to. He is so uncomfortable, he can't even eat lunch. When it's time for the kiss, he exclaims that he can't do it! His friends insist he apologize to the leading lady for hurting her feelings, as she is crying. But, despite his apology, she won't stop crying until he kisses her. Then, the movie is a wrap and Sock Monkey learns that the "kiss wasn't so bad! Sock Monkey and Lulu would both be stars."

Yuck. Sock Monkey didn't want to kiss her. He tried to express his concerns, but was brushed off. In the end, he learns it wasn't so bad and now he'll be a star. Maybe I'm being extra-sensitive on this one, but the messaging here seems really off.

I won't be reading this one for family story time.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey, the famous toy actor, is offered the leading role in a singing cowboy movie. He gets to yodel, rope a cow, ride a horse, and kiss the leading lady. Sock Monkey is willing to do everything, but kiss the leading lady. Will the show go on, or will Sock Monkey turn down the chance to be a big star, and leading man because of one little kiss?

[Lauren Johnstun · Rating 1 out of 5]

We ran into this book today at the library. I’m glad we decided to read it before taking it home. The basis of the book is that Sock Monkey got asked to do a commercial or something. But there’s a kissing scene that he’s apprehensive about. His friends help prepare him for all the other aspects of the commercial, but no one has any advice for the kissing scene. He gets there and all goes well, until the kissing scene. He runs away and says “I can’t do it!” To which I applaud... except then it takes a sharp downhill turn. The girl starts crying, his friends said he hurt her feelings and needs to apologize. He does, she still cries. So he “knows what he has to do” and plants one on her. Then she’s fine and he says “That wasn’t so bad!” WTF. This seems like exactly the kind of book that a child predator would use to groom a child. To explain why that child should let them touch him/her. That if something makes you uncomfortable, you should ignore that feeling and so it anyway so as not to hurt someone’s feelings. I’m sorry, but this is just grossly inappropriate and disturbing. I took the opportunity to explain to my son that we never ever ever have to do anything with our bodies that makes us uncomfortable. Even if it will hurt someone’s feelings. You don’t have to kiss grandma, mom, dad, anyone if you don’t want to. It is YOUR body and you get to make that decision. Needless to say, after our talk, we left the book at the library. Though I was tempted to take it home and burn it and pay the fine. 0/5 stars. Would not recommend.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Sock Monkey is not the one you have in your playroom. Maybe stained with chocolate milk.

Nor is this the Sock Monkey you might have seen at some other parent's house, all scrunched up in a kid's pile of badly used toys, including Barbies whose heads have been snapped off (just for sport).

No sir. This book is about "Sock Monkey, the famous toy actor."

Absolutely fascinating concept, isn't that? He's a toy. He's an actor. He's a famous...

And now this toy singer + actor + big celebrity...

He has been invited to star in a "Singing cowboy movie, Hubbub at the Happy Canyon Hoedown?"

Poor Sock Monkey

What is giving him the heebie-jeebies?

* Is he going to have to do a nude scene? Nah, that would be no prob. Usually he's mostly naked.

* The terrifying part isn't even that he's going to have to wear a corny cowboy outfit.

* No, here's the thing. Poor Sock Monkey is going to have a big kissing scene. His co-star's name is Lulu. And she's eager.

Somehow a Happy Ending Is Achieved

No spoiler from me, no no! But I'm pretty sure you're going to find this ending delightful, Goodreaders.

FIVE STARS yet again to author, artist, and Sock Puppet visionary... Cece Bell.

[Viviane Elbee]

This book has a lot of funny moments - sock monkey is a famous actor though all his previous roles have been very minor. He finally gets his big break - with fun activities like lassoing, yodeling, etc...

The kids thought this book was funny overall.

However the main obstacle the sock monkey must overcome in this book is that he is worried about kissing the leading lady (on the cheek) in the movie. It seems to be a strange "main" problem for a picture book.

[Ashley Aolani Salisbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and funny. I feel like I'm like sock monkey, scared to do personal things such as hugging in public. You can relate really well to all the characters in here and the story is cute.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this story would be completely appealing to children, with a little less emphasis on the (although innocent) kiss.

[Cooper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a great lesson on consent

[The Book Consultant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, enjoyable book. My 5 year old did enjoy it, but it never quite reached the go-to status that some of our other books achieve. It did make him laugh though, and that’s always a plus!

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey gets a huge break in landing his first leading role! He just needs to learn to yodel, lasso, ride a horse...oh, and kiss a girl. (He's a little worried about that last one.)

I liked this one much better than the dance book. There's a lot of subtle references to other famous movies in this that I'm sure kids aren't going to get (and maybe not many adults...how many know Nelson Eddy & Jeannette MacDonald's duet). But I think the kids will still enjoy the overall plot. There's bound to be lots of squirming and comments about the kissing. But I like that the kiss ends up being on the cheek and the director is satisfied with that.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because my wife loves sock monkeys. I don't know why, but she does. I have to say that while this story wasn't life changing, I enjoyed it all the same. Sock Monkey is worried about giving someone a kiss when he is asked to star in a new movie with a kissing scene. He frets and worries and eventually chickens out at the moment of truth. He regrets it though because the actress is so distraught over the rejection and finally relents only to discover that the experience wasn't as bad as he'd made it out to be. Fun book.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey really, really, REALLY wants the part in the movie, Hubbub at the Happy Canyon Hoedown, but when he finds out he has to kiss (Yucky!) the leading lady, Lulu Nevada he gets all squeamish and nervous. Will he do it anyway?

Used for "A Little Monkey Business" storytime-January, 2010 and

"An Actor's Life for Me!: Sing, Act, Dance" Storytime- October, 2010.

[S.j.reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library today. It was the first Sock Monkey book I've read and I was really disappointed in the pictures. The story wasn't that great either...not really big on kisses being the main problem in a child's picture book. Probably not going to bother with the other Sock Monkey stories unless my girls pick one out themselves.

[Carolina Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this myself, since I volunteer at an elementary school. I like sock monkeys in general. However this book was a bit boring. The most memorable character was his friend Sock Buddy, the cupcake references were random and cute. The art is nice, and its seems like something kids 7- would enjoy, easily!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening up this ditty to a well done end-cover was starting out on the right foot, er cowboy boot. Sock Monkey is on his way to becoming a star, and he has rounded up his friends to assist in and enjoy the process. There's only one awkward hitch. Sock monkey learns that sometimes the very thing you're avoiding is the answer to the problems you face.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was looking for in my cowboy storytime, but it did make me smile. Silly book with parts kids will laugh at. Best in a lap-read or read-alone, since there are lots of speech bubbles and tiny details in the illustrations.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am currently reading through all of Ms. Bell's Sock Monkey books,
Funny, punny and cute. The "Kiss the Girl" part was especially hard for Sock Monkey. It is one of those real tough spots in growing up.
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sock Monkey is hired for a big role in a new movie, only problem is he has a big kiss scene. His friends are able to help him prepare well for all the other scenes, but can't help him prepare for the big kiss with leading lady Ms. Lulu. Too funny!

[Alexandria Hiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sock Monkey is hired for a big role in a new movie, only problem is he has a big kiss scene. His friends are able to help him prepare well for all the other scenes, but can't help him prepare for the big kiss with leading lady Ms. Lulu. Too funny!

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

sock monkey has movie role and is worried about kissing a girl. cute pictures but weak storyline.

[Rina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story and illustrations were cute, but not as interesting as I was hoping for. It shows a lot about sharing and helping others though :)

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't care for this book. I didn't think there was much to the story and the illustrations got to be too much with all the extra comments by the characters in addition to the story.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Cece Bell's illustrations...so bright and happy and fun. But this story for me was just okay.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's silly and the kids don't "get" all the jokes. But they love Sock Monkey anyway, and the grown ups reading the story get their own laughs in.

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title looked so fun but this was D. U. M. B.

[Hannah Moore, MLIS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun picture book are to make kids giggly and squirmy over the big kiss (on the cheek!)

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This silly monkey is staring in a production..there are cows, lassos; wackiness ensues!!