Review by Noda21k -- Sock Lobsters by Michelle Bulriss
Posted: 23 May 2021, 19:24
[Following is a volunteer review of "Sock Lobsters" by Michelle Bulriss.]
Sock Lobsters by Michelle Bulriss is a children's picture book about two lobster socks knitted by a grandmother for her granddaughter. The socks are magical and come to life. They are opposites, with one being pessimistic and the other optimistic. They are still best friends, though. One day, one of the socks gets lost on the way back from the laundry. The other sock goes through the stages of grief over losing his best friend, illustrated and explained in detail by the author. As it is a children's book, however, it does have a happy ending.
I liked this book because the pictures are cute. I like the idea behind the book as well. It presents emotions and the stages of grief in an accessible way for children. It is not a complete source, but it could be used as a jumping-off point to reach children experiencing those difficult emotions.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the ending. Like most children's books, it has a happy ending, but I feel like the happy ending softens the message a little. If the book is supposed to be about loss and the stages of grief, then it really shouldn't soften that. Grief doesn't just magically disappear. If a child's best friend has moved away, they can't be left with the expectation that someday that friend will return. Life doesn't end happily, so if you want it to be an honest portrayal, it shouldn't end that way either. I understand why it has a happy ending, but I think it softens the message too much for educational purposes.
Despite my issues with the ending, the book is beautifully drawn and introduces grief in an accessible way. I enjoyed it. I give Sock Lobsters by Michelle Bulriss 4 out of 4 stars. It is a cute book for young children.
I would recommend this book for all ages, but focusing on slightly older children, school-age would be best. Younger than school age would likely not understand and process the ideas within the text but would enjoy it for the magical lobster socks.
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Sock Lobsters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Sock Lobsters by Michelle Bulriss is a children's picture book about two lobster socks knitted by a grandmother for her granddaughter. The socks are magical and come to life. They are opposites, with one being pessimistic and the other optimistic. They are still best friends, though. One day, one of the socks gets lost on the way back from the laundry. The other sock goes through the stages of grief over losing his best friend, illustrated and explained in detail by the author. As it is a children's book, however, it does have a happy ending.
I liked this book because the pictures are cute. I like the idea behind the book as well. It presents emotions and the stages of grief in an accessible way for children. It is not a complete source, but it could be used as a jumping-off point to reach children experiencing those difficult emotions.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the ending. Like most children's books, it has a happy ending, but I feel like the happy ending softens the message a little. If the book is supposed to be about loss and the stages of grief, then it really shouldn't soften that. Grief doesn't just magically disappear. If a child's best friend has moved away, they can't be left with the expectation that someday that friend will return. Life doesn't end happily, so if you want it to be an honest portrayal, it shouldn't end that way either. I understand why it has a happy ending, but I think it softens the message too much for educational purposes.
Despite my issues with the ending, the book is beautifully drawn and introduces grief in an accessible way. I enjoyed it. I give Sock Lobsters by Michelle Bulriss 4 out of 4 stars. It is a cute book for young children.
I would recommend this book for all ages, but focusing on slightly older children, school-age would be best. Younger than school age would likely not understand and process the ideas within the text but would enjoy it for the magical lobster socks.
******
Sock Lobsters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
