David Gordon has done visual development for numerous production companies from Lucasfilm to Pixar, including Toy Story; Monsters, Inc.; A Bug’s Life; Cars; BlueSky’s Robots; and Nickelodeon’s Spongebob Squarepants. He’s also written and illustrated several picture books, among them Hansel and Diesel, The Three Little Rigs, The Ugly Truckling, and Smitten. He’s one of the illustrators of Jon Scieszka’s fifty-two-book, New York Times bestselling series, Trucktown. Visit him at IllustratorRanch.com.
A solitary mitten who had lost the other one of her pair and a stray sock, fallen out of a laundry basket, pair up in order to find their respective partners in this sweet picture-book romp from author/illustrator David Gordon. Somewhat the worse for wear after their travails in the park, they find their way to a laundromat, and have great fun getting clean. Later, when Sock is stretched by two dogs playing tug-of-war, and Mitten becomes unraveled after her yarn is pulled by a subway car, each one of the pair helps the other out. Perhaps, rather than continuing to search for their lost partners, they should accept that they are meant to be together. That they are... smitten!
After reading David Gordon's Extremely Cute Animals Operating Heavy Machinery some time ago, and finding it rather uninspiring, I wasn't particularly motivated to pick up this earlier picture-book. That said, the title - Smitten - struck me, and the cover artwork looked cute, so I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did, as I found the story engaging and fun - I particularly liked the scene in the laundromat - and the artwork appealing. Whereas I found Gordon's style rather flat in his later book, here it just felt stylized and cartoon-like. It probably helped that I found Sock and Mitten and their story far more engaging than I did the eponymous cute animals of the other book. Whatever the case may be, this is one I'd recommend to anyone looking for children's stories about friendship in general, or the idea that friends can be found in all sorts of shapes and sizes, in particular.
I loved this book and read it constantly as a child. The pages are colorful. The story is heartwarming, and I'm glad my mother got me this book. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet gift to a child to help get them to read more, or just to show them where all the missing socks go and how everyone has a pair even if they look different.
a lone mitten and sock find themselves at a loose end and strike up a friendship. Unraveling yarn and dirt are no match for this intrepid pair. They learn that while they may not end up with who they thought they would, friends can come in all shapes and sizes.
Humor and a tender message about belonging. Sock and Mitten find each other though they have lost their partners. Together, they set off to find their matches. After several misadventures, they realize they are perfect for each other as friends.
Aww, what an adorable story about a lone lost mitten and a lone, lost sock who end up together, searching desperately for their other halves, through a wide variety of troubles and obstacles!
This lint-free love story of a sock and a mitten is a fun book for all ages. Even though it may be geared towards children I personally love this book and can read it over and over again. The author has actually done concept work for Pixar which makes sense as to why I enjoyed this book so much. Even adult’s love children’s movies such as Toy Story and Bug’s Life, so I am sure they will love this book as well. Reading this story as a teacher or a parent will allow for great bonding moments as well as opportunities to discuss friendship. Not only that, but since both children and adults will love this book it is something that will connect both that they can share in common.
This story allows readers to see the true meaning of friendship. As Sock and Mitten go on an adventure together to find their other halves they come to realize that they are the perfect match for each other. Throughout their adventure they help each other in many different ways and enjoy the time they spend together. Although they are two different characters they come to find friendship within each other. This can teach children that they can make friends with anyone, not just who they think they have to be friends with. There is also humor in this story that will causes some giggles and more enjoyment as the reader reads.
I think this story is very unique and creative. I love how the story shows real world characteristics such as a laundromat or a guy on a bike, things that could be real outside the story. Then there are these characters Sock and Mitten that cause readers to use their imagination because socks and mittens of course are not living objects. Their facial expressions make them come to life in the story as the illustrator does a great job in showing emotions. They both stand out and are a focus on every page with their bright pink and blue colors. The colors throughout the book are inviting to the reader by being soft and playful. Also, the text is very easy to read with its bold black letters.
Mittens and socks always come in pairs. I've yet to be able to purchase only one mitten or one sock, even though my dryer has a bad habit of eating only one at a time!
In SMITTEN, a lost mitten atop a fence and a lonely sock dropped from a laundry basket set about on a quest to find their missing partners.
When the trampling feet of school children, a trip into a waste basket, two dogs, and a subway train get through with them, neither mitten nor sock are looking or feeling their best.
Fortunately, after a trip through the washer and dryer and a visit to a knitting store (and the aid of a helpful how-to book), both mitten and sock are almost as good as new.
And each has found the perfect pair -- in one another!
This is a truly delightful bedtime story, or a book perfect for a beginning reader. After turning the last page, you can't help but be smitten yourself!
Gordon, D. "Smitten". (2006). New York: Simon & Schuster.
This is the story of a one sock and one mitten, who each lose their mate. They meet on the street and go looking for their matches. They encounter many obstacles, but together, they triumph. They decide that they don't need their match to be 'whole'. They decide to be each other's matches. They are 'smitten'. I would say this story would be on the interest level of kids in grades K-2.
Sock and Mitten have both lost their pair. As they band together to search for thier missing other half, they face many dangers and help each other through. In the end, they realize that instead of being alone, they've found each other.
This book is AWESOME. Do I have to say it again? AWESOME. Sock and Mitten rock. My favorite part is the knitting scene. Check it out.
Cute, cute book about a romance between a single sock and a single mitten. Lots of food for thought for older kids is hidden in the simple story. There is a good lesson about staying with the loyal old friends vs. choosing the shiny, well-dressed new friends who may come along. Excellent story of loyalty and problem-solving. Great for classroom use and for reading aloud to kids at home, too.
Smitten is a sweet book about a mitten and a sock who have lost their partners and become friends. They have adventures and misadventures involving dogs & bicycles & the laundromat...subway tracks...a knitting store.... It's a story about friendship and taking care of each other. It would probably work for a preschool storytime, and it would definitely work for a bedtime story.
OMG! A must read! The story and illustrations are hilarious! A lost sock and mitten find friendship and adventure. This author has done work on animated movies like Toy Story. He has also written some other children books that are a spin on well known fairy tales: The Ugly Truckling - Three Little Rigs - Hansel and Diesel. Very cute! I mean manly!
What a delightful story! This is currently a favorite at our house. We have read it every night for the past 2 1/2 weeks. Lovely illustrations and sweet story line about a sock and mitten who are both lost and are searching for their other halves. After quite a few (mis)adventures they discover they make a pretty good pair and are smitten! Too cute.