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Smitten
With an unparalleled style and even more imagination, Gordon presents a story about an unlikely friendship between a sock and a mitten, who are both lost singles in a city full of pairs, and how differences can't stand in the way of a perfect pair. Full color.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published December 26, 2007
3 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
David Gordon
30 books6 followersDavid 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 15, 2024
This was so cute! I lost a sock once.
September 6, 2022
This is SO ADORABLE!! 5 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2019
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.
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.
January 24, 2022
A precious childrens book about friendship and love! ❤️
March 8, 2022
Absolutely precious picture book <3
January 21, 2022
Totally cute!
July 22, 2022
Cute book! Some of the mitten's facial expressions were funny because of how grumpy the mitten was.
SHORT SUMMARY AHEAD:
Cute book about a lost mitten and a lost sock trying to find their match, but in the end they find that together they are the perfect match.
SHORT SUMMARY AHEAD:
Cute book about a lost mitten and a lost sock trying to find their match, but in the end they find that together they are the perfect match.
August 10, 2022
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.
April 26, 2022
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.
February 15, 2023
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.
August 23, 2017
fun story
February 23, 2021
cute and punny!
January 25, 2022
The illustrations aren’t to my liking personally and just an OK story.
February 5, 2022
Love that this story is given by the point of view of the sock and mitten. Very cute story!!!
March 14, 2022
Sweet and inspirational story about what it means to be good friends and making the perfect pair.
September 20, 2022
Smitten is a cute book, and author/illustrator David Gordon has managed to give a stray sock and a lost mitten believable personalities.
April 17, 2023
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!
January 30, 2024
when sock puts mitten back together… almost cried
April 15, 2025
Cute and fun!
July 15, 2025
This is one of my favorite Valentine's day books to read to kids!
December 5, 2025
Smitten by David Gordon – This was a cute picture book, and I hope several little readers in my family like it this Christmas! Happy Reading!
August 10, 2022
This is heartwarming and such a cute book! I loved the pictures in the book, but the ending stole my heart and I was in love <3
March 30, 2015
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.
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.
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com
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!
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!
April 12, 2014
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.
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.
July 20, 2007
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.
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.
May 5, 2008
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.
July 25, 2008
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.
November 6, 2008
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!
May 14, 2010
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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews