A Pair of Socks

MathStart Level 1

by Childcraft International

Oh no! The blue and red striped sock can't find its mate. But maybe with a little help from Pup the mystery can be solved. Matching helps children recognize attributes that are the same, note those that are different, and provides an introduction to pattern recognition. 40 pages. Pre-K. Standard sequencing, pattern recognition, comparing sizes, recognizing shapes, counting, understanding capacity, comparing amounts, odd and even numbers, matching, sorting.

Genres: Mathematics, Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Juvenile, Fiction, Dogs

40 pages, Misc.

First published July 19, 1996

About the author

“Character training, discipline guidance, and habit formation are processes in your child’s development that cause you serious concern. You want your child to develop habits and traits of character that are admirable and worthwhile—habits and traits that will ensure happiness and success in life.”

These are words of introduction from the inaugural 1934 Parent Guide Supplement to Childcraft, a 15-volume annual series launched as a home instructional and educational resource for parents. Childcraft remained a mainstay within American households over 7 decades, sold door-to-door, direct to parents.

Childcraft was succeeded by Discovery and Discovery Science. Discovery and Discovery Science are multivolume print and digital reference resources for elementary readers.

The iconic Childcraft brand remains in the public domain as an Annual Update to owners of an original Childcraft set and is displayed each year at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder’s meeting.

Reviews

[Abigail Lydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title (italicize): A Pair of Socks
Author: Stuart J. Murphy
Illustrator (if separate from author): Lois Ehlert
Genre: Fiction
Theme(s): Finding a match
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): "I'll never be worn. It doesn't seem fair".
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): The sock is searching for its matching pair, but can not seem to find the match that is exactly the same. The sock fears that they will never be worn, but then they find their match. The conflict is that the dog ripped a hole in the sock, but it is easily sewn and repaired.
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words): According to, Leila Toledo, this book is eye-catching for children because it is full of vibrant colors and unique illustrations. Carolyn Phelas states that this book is great for introducing a lesson about matching pairs because it offers a question at the end. The reviewers agree that this book is a fun and colorful way to start learning about the concept of matching.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): The plot line and conflict.
Dislike(s): None!
Patterns(s): Socks that are similar to the main sock, but slightly different.
Puzzle(s): Why do you think it is important that the author ended the story with a question?
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): After reading this book, children will have a starting point for understanding what it means to match. They will all be given a variety of loose parts (colored blocks, feathers, marbles, crayons, etc) to match. There will be different categories of matching, such as size, shape, and color.

[Brittany Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pair of socks is an okay introductory book for patterns and matching. I do feel like the author could have provided better examples of different patterns and matching. I think the author prioritized the illustrations more rather than the actual literature. However, I do believe for the target audience it is not a bad read, ideally for pre-k and first graders. I did however enjoy the activities at the end to get teachers and students engaged, as well as a section for parents and children to indulge at home.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a very exciting book. The illustrations by Lois Ehlert are nice, but the story is kind of meh.
The book does introduce matching, and I think the thing the two year olds I read this to liked best may have been looking at all the socks on the last page.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy introducing or reinforcing early childhood concepts with books. This series by MathStart and Stuart J. Murphy has been a great resource for covering those topics.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple rhyming text as a sock looks for its mate. Not quite a book for patterns however.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, and good for counting and matching.

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red 2nd

[Guillermo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The children loved this during our Zoom storytime. Especially the helping me find pairs.

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

ilike it

[Juliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 ✨ Used with PK, TK, and K for sock/stocking lesson. Focus on s blends and action words.

[Little Champs]

3087

[The Unschoolers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen was unimpressed (not the target audience) but Lily requested we read it again immediately after finishing, so clearly it was a hit. Best suited for an under 5 age as it's very simple.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. 2 year old liked it too

[Keli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis

A blue and red striped sock searches through the house looking for its mate.

Review

Through this book, children are introduced to the important concept of same and different. On each page, the sock finds a possible match in various places around the house. The following page has the two brightly colored socks side by side on a black background. This makes it easy for children to see the differences between the two socks. The book ends with a two page spread of all the socks encountered in the book and children are invited to find all the matching pairs. The simple yet brightly colored pictures makes it easy for children to discern the patterns and colors in each sock. To further support the educational aspect of the book, the story is followed with discussion points, extension activities and other books which deal with the same concept. This is a great book to teach this concept and children are sure to be excited about thier new found skill.

Critical Reviews

Children's Literature
This short review raves about the illustrations in the book. It states that this skill lays the foundation for math abilities. This was something I hadn't thought about. But, aside from the mention of the "vibrant illustrations," it doesn't mention anything about the appeal of the book.

No other reviews were found.

Other Bibliographic Information

Published in 1996 by HarperCollins Publishers

40 pages

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Pair of Socks is a very simple picture book that was written with the intention of teaching very young children to identify similarities and differences between patterns. This book would be useful in a kindergarten to first grade classroom but I would be hesitant to use it in older classrooms. The text and the concept of matching socks is very simple and relates to something within the child’s world and so it really helps to bring math to life for very young children. However, this book was not written with the intention of writing great children’s literature. The purpose of this book is very pointed and even provides activities that can be done with children in order to further reinforce the topic taught in the book. I would use this book in my classroom and I would actually like to find even more books from this publisher that I could use to introduce math concepts.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murphy introduces young children to the concept of patterns through a lone sock's search for its mate. The boldly colored artwork helps children clearly see various stripes, dots, and designs. There is a slight story in the rhyming text, but as with most concept books, fine literature isn't the point. Readers can practice their newly learned skill with a matching exercise. The book ends with suggested activities, such as clapping and stomping in different patterns, parents can try with children to extend the lesson. For babies and toddlers.

[Seth Lebaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Same or different. This book will help students look at groups of objects and shapes to see if they are the same or are they different. I would have objects on two sides of the room, so will be similar and others will be copies of each other. I would have my students (small group activity) try to match up the correct pairs as fast as they could and then talk about how are these objects the same. I would also have the students talkl about why the similars are not quite right.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about making pairs. It's a very simple level one book but shows how to match up a pair. Throughout the story one sock is looking for it's pair by eliminating all the other socks that come up. At the end there is a page of all the socks for students to match up together based on the designs and coloring of the socks.

[Katterley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story. I bought this as part of a pack of books by Stuart Murphy that teach math concepts. They're all good, and have teaching lessons in the back that I was able to adapt to the summer reading program on numerous occasions. Shhh! Don't tell them they're learning at the library, it's only fun and games, OK?

[Christina Camp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about matching socks. It also rhymes. It has very pretty and bright pictures and the text is easy enough for even early readers to work with. In the end of the book, the sock finds his match in the dog bed. I particularly liked this because my dogs used to steal my socks too. The last page of the book also has all of the socks together for the students to match.

[Kelly Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dislike mix match socks!! This book discusses socks that need matching pairs. This book is great to teach in math, when students are learning how to match. I would definitely use this book in a math lesson for younger grades.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief story of a red and blue sock trying to find their match. Lois Ehlert's illustrations make this title a delight for the concept of matching as she is a master of color, shape and design.
This is the first title I have seen that Ehlert illustrated for another author. Are there more?

[Rose]

E Mur

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for learning about attributes, sorting, and patterns. Similarities and differences.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to patterns for ages 4 & up.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to use for discussing patterns. It also comes with helpful questions and activity ideas in the back.

[Elanor]

All by herself!

[Esther]

First Grade: Matching Pairs

Not really a full story. Rhyming.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will definitely be using as part of a socks/matching patterns lesson with my preschoolers. Test-drove with my 4.5-year-old nephew, and he liked it.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple and clear could work for any age group about a cock missing his mate.