Official Review: The Adventure of Smelly Sock

[Samy Lax]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Adventure of Smelly Sock" by Russell Delk.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Sock is in the company of some dirty clothes that are on their way down the hall, eager to get cleaned up again. They all want to stay in the laundry hamper for as little time as possible, as time in the hamper meant time away from their owner Grayson, who kept going on exciting adventures all the time. And finally, the wait comes to an end and they happily leap into the washing machine to get cleaned up. Sock tries to follow suit, but no! He gets stuck in the hamper’s Velcro! Author Russell Delk tells the story of a little sock and the lessons that he learns in The Adventure of Smelly Sock.

The main character of the book—Sock—is a little kid’s sock that gets separated from the rest of the laundry and panics due to the sudden loneliness. He just wants to get back to Grayson’s foot so that he can go back on another adventure. After much struggle, Sock disengages from the aforementioned Velcro and starts wandering around Grayson’s home. He thus starts discovering rooms that he had never noticed before.

Sock stumbles upon appliance after appliance in the house and asks them for Grayson’s whereabouts. All the appliances are nice and helpful but before they get to helping Sock out, they smell the stink surrounding the little guy—all thanks to the tumble in the washing machine that Sock missed. Thus, they keep redirecting him to other appliances that could possibly help him get rid of the stink and, maybe, lead him to Grayson. Ultimately, Sock figures out that he is fully capable of having adventures by himself without any help from a human foot.

The intentions and themes in this book are uncomplicated and presented in a fun and intelligible manner. Children respond very well to stories about things they get to use every day, and many children love imagining that the fridge, lamp, and vacuum cleaner around them are capable of speaking. Sock met many different home appliances on his adventure. These appliances provided a great amount of insight on how to talk politely and help someone in need. It makes for an interesting and educational story. There isn’t too much detail in the book that could end up confusing young readers, so the book is good enough to hold its readers’ attention. Children between the ages of five and eight might enjoy this story the most.

There are just a couple of punctuation errors in the text. However, I could find no tense inconsistencies or misspelled words. The story comfortably flows from one scene to the next, making it an easy read.

Illustrations are a vital part of any children’s book. The illustrations in this book are really expressive and lively. The story definitely benefits from these pictures.

I couldn’t find anything that the book lacks in and, so, I don’t hesitate in rating it 4 out of 4 stars. The author clearly teaches his readers that they don’t need anyone’s help to find adventures. They are perfectly capable of finding adventures on their own. The book also serves up a good lesson on empathy and compassion.

******
The Adventure of Smelly Sock
View: on Bookshelves

Like Samy Lax's review? Post a comment saying so!

[LaurenHaupt]

The book sounds funny. I think my kids would enjoy the book.I'm glad the pictures are great in it. Thanks for the review.

[Samy Lax]

The book sounds funny. I think my kids would enjoy the book.I'm glad the pictures are great in it. Thanks for the review.

Oh yes, the pictures are heartwarming. I am sure you're little ones would love the book.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[pinchess07]

I'd love to read this for myself, actually. I mean, I'm sure my younger nieces and nephews will love reading this too, but nothing's stopping me, a 25-year-old woman who loves cartoons and animated movies of all kinds, from enjoying this as well. I'm off to find a copy. Great review!

[elishiaq]

fun books like this warms my hearts, its like watching your favorite cartoon all over again. understandable and fun to read.

[kandscreeley]

This sounds like such a great book! I love that sock wants to spend as much time with his owner as possible. Thanks so much for the great review on this one.

[Sanju Lali]

very nice review indeed of the kids book smelly socks which is a small book of couple of pages but tells lot of things about hygiene to the children

[daniya__shah3]

This reminds me of Sigfried's Smelly Socks. However, I like how the Sock has been personified. Amazing review!

[Samantha Simoneau]

Children respond very well to stories about things they get to use every day, and many children love imagining that the fridge, lamp, and vacuum cleaner around them are capable of speaking.

So true! I'm a 30-something, but the Brave Little Toaster lover in me wants to read this book to my kids. Thanks for the recommendation with your great review!

[Kay87]

I'm reading your review and smiling because I can imagine how wonderful the story is. I love good children books and I believe I will search for this one to read it so I could share it with my students. Thank you for a great review.

[QueenVee]

What a great story line. I've been an adult for a very long time now and yet I still enjoy a good kids book. My family loves reading and "The Adventure of Smelly Sock" sounds like one we can all enjoy. Looking forward to this read..

[kfwilson6]

Sock sounds like a cute puppy that can't wait until his owner comes home to play with him. What a fun little tale. I like the lessons of this story as well, especially learning how to speak politely to others.

[Samy Lax]

I'd love to read this for myself, actually. I mean, I'm sure my younger nieces and nephews will love reading this too, but nothing's stopping me, a 25-year-old woman who loves cartoons and animated movies of all kinds, from enjoying this as well. I'm off to find a copy. Great review!

Haha. I SO get you. I loved reading it myself and my pasttimes seem to be quite similar to yours.

Do try and read this then. It will be a well-spent five minutes of your life.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[Connie Otwani]

I have so enjoyed reading your review! You are right, not only do children a certain age love imagining inanimate things around them capable of speaking, they sometimes hold conversations with them! The book seems hilarious, I hope to read it for myself!

[Ana-Maria-Diana]

A funny book that the kids will love. Smelly sock is something we will hear very often from our kids.