This rhyming whimsy stars a crew of dancing ducks whose webby feet are made even happier by donning all kinds of sprightly socks, including “Socks with stars and socks with moons,/ socks with cars and socks with spoons.” No matter that socks prove more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to dancing (the sock hop results in “big duck flops!” and trips to the first-aid station); at book’s end, the dancers are back at the Duck Sock Shop to pick up new pairs for the next soiree. Debut illustrator Porter is better at portraying the ducks pre- and post-dance than in the act—her ducks aren’t quite rubbery enough to convey dance moves and pratfalls. But they’re still an engaging, eye-catching bunch, rendered in bold black outlines and playful silkscreen-like patterning that’s an inventive visual riff on feathers. Kohuth’s (Estie the Mensch) verse offers plenty of read-aloud pleasure, giving readers the immense satisfaction of saying “socks” and “ducks” over and over. Ages 3–5. Agent: Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Philippa Milnes-Smith, Lucas Alexander Whitley. (May)
Now a Bank Street 2013 Best Book of the Year!
"In syncopated rhymes, this "quackerjack" of a silly story will have toes tappin' and little hands clappin'. . . . Ready made for wonderful fun at story time (sock theme, anyone?) or as one rollicking lap read, but be prepared, as kids will flock to hear it again." -- Kirkus
"Here's a picture book to start a happy hullabaloo at storyhour, to get the little ones rocking and reeling. . . . A good purchase for libraries in need of picture books for interactive, movement-oriented read-alouds." -- School Library Journal
"With no forcible way to get a 3-year-old to please just get them on already, perhaps it's better to win him over gently to the sock's allure. In the charming "Duck Sock Hop," a brace of brightly colored ducks pull out an appealing assortment . . . " -- The New York Times Book Review
"The rhymes here are rollicking, alliterative, webbed-foot-tapping fun, and debut illustrator Porter's heavily lined, brightly patterned art extends the ducks' sheer joy. The funniest thing about the art? Giant socks housing skinny duck legs. This begs for a shoes-off storytime with toddlers doing some wiggling of their own." -- Booklist
PreS-Gr 1—Here's a picture book to start a happy hullabaloo at storyhour, to get the little ones rocking and reeling. It all starts with a sock box, and so can your program. The lively illustrations, beautifully textured with handprinted patterns, add energy and rhythm to this peppy stop-and -start rhyming, alliterative text. "Ruffled, lacy,/Jeweled deluxe./Left sock, right sock,/socks on ducks." Once a week, the ducks get their sock box, pick out their favorite socks, of which there are many fun variations—moons, spoons, cars with button wheels, as well as the usual stripes and polka dots—and have a classic sock hop with old-timey musicians. They rollick and roll, get messy and hurt, and do it all again next week. There's not much plot here, just good times and homey illustrations with the typeface dipping and rising in tune. The bold India ink used to make the outline of each duck adds to their expressiveness. Many inventive layouts keep the pictures interesting and add rhythm, a fitting accompaniment to the writing. "Socks go S T R E T C H./Socks go RIP!/Ducks teeter,/tumble,/twist,/and trip." A good purchase for libraries in need of picture books for interactive, movement-oriented read-alouds.—Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City
Put on your jazziest socks and get ready to bop, ‘cause it's duck hop time! In syncopated rhymes, this "quackerjack" of a silly story will have toes tappin' and little hands clappin'. "Ducks pull socks from a big sock box:" socks with stripes, spots, squares, dots, stars, moons, cars and spoons. "Warm up, wiggle, stretch your beak. / Duck Sock Hop comes once a week." The music starts, and "[t]hree ducks boogie, one duck rocks. / Two ducks stop and trade their socks." With each spread, the dancing ducks get livelier and more animated, until the music stops and they all need new socks. The bright colors of the illustrations paint different patterns on each duck, entirely separate from their wild and crazy socks. Set against white backgrounds, they pop and rock with the rhythm of the rhymes. Ready made for wonderful fun at story time (sock theme, anyone?) or as one rollicking lap read, but be prepared, as kids will flock to hear it again. And after just one or two reads, they will be chanting along with the adults. A webbed-foot folly that makes a tale most jolly. (Picture book. 3-5)
