Sock Monkey Boogie-Woogie: A Friend is Made

Cece Bell's Sock Monkey #2

by Cece Bell

In desperate need of a dancing partner, Sock Monkey concocts a creative solution — and reveals a few trade secrets — in this sock-hopping sequel to the "Quirkiest Picture Book" of last year (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY).

The Big Celebrity Dance is just days away, and — gasp! — Sock Monkey does not have a dancing partner. His friends are all out of town, and a famous toy actor like Sock Monkey can't go by himself! Is Sock Monkey doomed to stay home alone and sing the blues? Cece Bell's famous Sock Monkey is back — with a polyester suit, some fancy moves, and a new argyle buddy who may turn out to be the perfect dancing partner. Get ready for a boogie-woogie good time!

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2004

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

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey returns in this second picture-book devoted to his adventures, following upon his debut, Sock Monkey Takes a Bath . When his friends all go away right before the Celebrity Dance, Sock Monkey finds that he has no dance partner for the big night, and that all of the toys which answer his advertisement simply aren't suitable to dance with him. What will he do? Fortunately, gifts arrive from his vacationing friends, and Sock Monkey hits on the perfect solution: he will create his own partner...

Originally published in 2004 and then reprinted in this new (apparently slightly larger?) edition in 2015, Sock Monkey Boogie-Woogie (it included the sub-title "A Friend Is Made" in the original) continues the fun, as Sock Monkey once again must make changes, in order to participate in a public event. I have seen the story compared to Frankenstein in other on-line reviews, but while I can certainly see why some hold that view, I found this less horrific and/or tragic than comical. The artwork, created digitally, is brightly colored and likewise humorous. Recommended to anyone who loves sock monkeys, or who enjoyed the first Sock Monkey story.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey makes another sock monkey as a dance partner because all his friends are away on holidays. They have a great time but the new sock monkey feels anxious about what will happen when the friends return - will they still be wanted?

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the story much. Sock Monkey doesn't have a partner for the big dance because his three best friends are all out of town. So he decides to make a partner.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually two of Bell's book rolled into one book, 2 stories.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like supporting local authors (even though I no longer teach or have a young child at home), so I checked this out from the library. It was really cute, and I enjoyed it.

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sock Monkey is going to a dance, but all his friends are going out of town. He holds auditions for a partner, but things don't go very well. And then Sock Monkey gets a creative idea.

Ok, I gotta admit, this one had shades of Frankenstein for me. I mean, who makes their own living friend? But it was a creative solution to the problem, and the book does provide a good opportunity for kids to practice their prediction skills. With my adverse feelings about sock monkeys in general, this is just not a favorite. I thought I'd give other books in the series a try after reading Sock Monkey Takes a Bath and enjoying it. I'll still give one more a try. I'm guessing little kids will not have the same reservations I do about the story.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Big Celebrity Dance is just days away and Sock Monkey has no partner for the important event! Should Sock Monkey stay home? Or should he find a creative solution to his problem? Obviously, Sock Monkey seeks a solution and winds up (literally) making a new friend.

Fans of Sock Monkeys will appreciate the effort the character puts into making an appearance at a “sock hop.” Other readers may find Bell’s story less engaging and frivolous.

[Kristin Beachy]

In this book Sock Monkey has two choices…sit home and pout or come up with a creative solution to find a dancing partner. I think that this would be a great book to show students that there is always more than one choice if we look hard enough. Those who love sock monkeys as much as myself may also be inspired to make a sock monkey of their own!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best children's books I've read. I love Cece Bell and had the pleasure of meeting her and getting my book signed. Her sock monkey books are enchating. Sock monkey has such a cute personality. He is a lover not a fighter and a problem solver. I love his friends Blue Pig and Miss Bunn too. This book is a children's book that winks at adults to keep them entertained too.

[The Book Box]

Re-read February 2018: I picked this monkey book for Mama to read to me last night. I love the silly sock monkey.

Originally read July 2017: Mama bought this from the library book sale because I have several tiny sock monkeys that I love! And we love Cece Bell, so this was a fun, silly book to read.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was reprinted in 2015 edition in slightly larger format.

How does Sock Monkey find an ideal dance partner? Well, the auditions did not goes too well.

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually has two stories included, Sock Monkey goes to Hollywood and Sock Monkey Boogie Woogie. both stories are adorable and well illustrated. I read through them before purchasing some Christmas gifts and I found the stories made me smile.

[katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! Very sweet ending!

[Jessica Hartzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much, we were inspired to make not one sock monkey, but three.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lively and silly.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun kid's book, ":A Friend is Made" might best be appreciated by Depression-era adults.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so Rebecca got this for Christmas, and we read it together... SO FUNNY AND CHILD LIKE! For all people who enjoy reading those sort of things, i suggest getting this book. ONE OF MY FAVES!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! EVERYONE MUST READ IT! IT WAS SOO FUNNY! deffinetly 5 starts

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016...

[Michael Earp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right amount of subversive storytelling.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey needs a partner for a dance but all his friends are going on vacation! What to do?

[XZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

SOCKENSTEIN!
Moral of the story: if you have no friends, make one.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sock Monkey needs a dance partner for the Big Celebrity Dance, but he needed a dance partner, and all of his friends were unavailable. Sock Monkey advertised for a dance partner, but none of the toys fit the bill. What Sock Monkey does next is brilliant, and he and his new dance partner trip the light fantastic.