Review of Sock Lobsters

[LoganHoffman11]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Sock Lobsters" by Michelle Bulriss.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Sock Lobsters is a children's book written and illustrated by Michelle Bulriss. A loving grandmother uses a magical ball of yarn to create a pair of lobster-shaped socks for her granddaughter, Emily. A week later, Emily receives her gift in the mail and discovers that these sock lobsters are full of personality and eager to experience the world.

Michelle Bulriss uses a simple story about a girl with magic socks to illustrate the five stages of grief. It's communicated in an open yet safe way that makes it easier for children to understand the importance of their emotions. When the book reaches its point of conflict, the sock lobsters' struggle is touching and relatable. The fantastic nature of the story offers a healthy balance to this by giving it sufficient distance from reality so that it's not too upsetting for children.

Sock Lobsters is a book intended for kids in early elementary school. The vocabulary and comprehension offer a reasonable level of challenge. The book is best suited to a 2nd-grade reading level, though younger children can enjoy this book with a parent taking the lead.

The book has strong visual appeal, making great use of the page space through the composition of illustration and text. It's arranged in a way so that kids are never confused as to what to read next while keeping the reader's eyes interested in the variety. The art style primarily uses photographs as a basis, with the characters and objects redrawn and given color. It's a unique combination that captures realistic facial expressions while providing a visual pop with the color choices.

Sock Lobsters by Michelle Bulriss is an enjoyable and touching children's book. I can find no issues with its quality. The book contains no spelling or grammatical errors. The story holds an important message about grieving and provides a safe outlet for conversation between parents and children. The illustrations are attractive and the page layouts are composed with an aesthetically pleasing variety. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.

I recommend Sock Lobsters for young children. The illustrations and magical story allow for easy enjoyment while providing an opportunity for parents to discuss grief with their kids.

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Sock Lobsters
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