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New Socks

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Something new can change the way you look; it can change the way you feel; and, in the case of new socks, it can change the way you walk--especially if you're a chicken. With a quirky sense of humor, retro style, and hip attitude, Bob Shea captures the excitement one irresistible chick experiences when he puts on a brand new pair of socks.

This is for readers who have decided that they can wear nothing but their superman capes or tutus or have discovered that the only food worth eating is macoroni and cheese. In other words, this book is told with "kid logic" and it embraces the affection we have for things when they're brand new.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

2 people are currently reading
546 people want to read

About the author

Bob Shea

61 books346 followers
Bob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith.

His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.

Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.

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5 stars
404 (37%)
4 stars
326 (30%)
3 stars
259 (24%)
2 stars
62 (5%)
1 star
21 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
6,345 reviews965 followers
July 26, 2017
I love Bob Shea's books! A little yellow chick is convinced that his new orange socks are the reason everything in the world is right - sure to brighten your day.
Profile Image for Rossy.
368 reviews13 followers
April 12, 2015
This cute little bird gets new socks and is really excited and happy about them.
I get him <3 I love socks, and feel specially happy when I get new ones. Or a new shirt. Or new glasses :3
Profile Image for Lindsey.
197 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2007
You know when you get a new clothing item; and it makes you so happy; you want to show it off and wear it everywhere? That's what this little chick in the this book does--the whole book is about...yep, his new socks. Drawn in the Rocky and Bullwinkle type illustrations, it's alot of fun.
Profile Image for Kate.
907 reviews51 followers
August 31, 2007
Read this in storytime today and the kids were cracking up. It has nice bold illustrations that make for good group reading.
Profile Image for Suzanne.
584 reviews32 followers
June 5, 2008
It's kind of weird. But I am kind of weird. It reminds me of that skit from The State where Michael Ian Black buys his first pair of pants and is spinning around at the end yelling "I love pants!" It's like that.
Profile Image for Sarah.
814 reviews37 followers
April 13, 2017
A message to author Bob Shea: You are a genius.

This book made me laugh like no other children's book has made me laugh recently. I love Leon's new socks because they are orange and they make everything possible. Actually, I think I could use a pair of new socks.
Profile Image for Shawna.
78 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2012
I like the blocky art style of these illustrations very much.

The story is fun. My little one likes to memorize stories so she can "read along" or "read the book" to me, and this one is great for that.
Profile Image for Jill.
770 reviews20 followers
February 3, 2015
Adorable Leon has a new pair of orange socks and he is SO excited about it. Wonderful book for a read-aloud! In fact, you must read this book aloud at least once and bask in the pure enjoyment of reading to others and having them laugh along with you!
Profile Image for Kim.
2,609 reviews7 followers
April 16, 2009
Funny - good for storytime. All about his new socks and what they can do (wood floor, slide, meet the president)
Profile Image for Malbadeen.
613 reviews7 followers
June 3, 2008
The simple wording and sparse illustrations combine to create a book that echo's the unexpected pleasure that comes from something as basic as NEW SOCKS!
By the end of the book I was recalling the thrill of all kinds of insignificant things I had reveled in when I first got them,
as a kid: new pajamas (the way they stretched from my neck to under my toes - AWESOME!)
new moon boots (holy shit, I can walk in snow and my feet aren't even cold - IT'S A MIRACLE!)
as an adult: new bra (wow, I'm quit possibly the sexiest person alive!)
new jacket: (woa, I am sophisticated AND functional - I'M FINALLY A GROWN UP!)
Profile Image for Sophia C.
4 reviews
May 15, 2012
If ever you need a book that will take 2 minutes to read that will always leave you crying from laughing so hard, then I highly recommend this one.

When I was a preschool teacher I discovered this book in my local library. I flipped through it, liked the art and decided to read it to my class. After the first time I read it out loud I fell in love. The book is simply hilarious. Like most really good children's literature and other forms of entertainment, there are layers to the work in order for it to continue to be interesting through generations and as a reader grows older.

I have one suggestion: When you read this book make sure you are reading out loud. It really makes a world of difference.
Profile Image for Heidi-Marie.
3,855 reviews87 followers
December 9, 2015
This was cute and funny. I'll admit that as I was nearing the end, I was wondering which age group of kids would enjoy the book (e.g. the reference to the president makes it seem a bit older for toddlers, even though the rest of the book had toddler all over it). I think preschool and school-age would enjoy this. And the absolute best part was the very end. I laughed.

12/9/15 Used in Things We Love at the Holidays: Presents theme, since we sometimes get clothes. The president was a bit over the preschoolers heads. But they seemed to follow. They were mostly mesmerized with how "shiny" the socks were. But all ages laughed at the end (especially the dad who was visiting).
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
736 reviews91 followers
September 19, 2015
Hilarious! (I hope my kids at story time agree, because I'll definitely be reading this one. It's so great/rare when the books I like can actually be read aloud.) I heard about this one through an article on slate.com about "the mismatch of technology and picture books" and was curious.

I hope I am forever flexible enough to pull off the sock phone at story time. So far, so good. (At least, as long as I'm sitting down.)
Profile Image for Mary.
567 reviews13 followers
August 13, 2010
My best friend bought this book for me on my 31st birthday because I loved it so much. I used it today for the first time at my new library branch for Baby and Toddler storytime and all 13 of my toddlers thought it was just as amazing as I do! (Pretty sure the 3 babies in pumpkin seats that aren't talking yet dug it too) This book is fabulous in every way- not just for programming but as a surefire way to brighten up any day for all ages.
66 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2012
Genre: PB17

What a GREAT BOOK! There is not a deep plot, or a story twist in this book, but the story and illustrations are the best! I love the illustrations and the great use of colors in the pictures. The "voice" readers get from the chick in this story make the story one you have to read aloud and it will be read again and again! Perfect for anyone looking for a smile today!

Three words to describe this book: Fun, laughable, smiling
302 reviews7 followers
December 14, 2012
I'm not really sure what happened with this one--when I read it to prep for story time, I thought it was charming and fun, but didn't really get why everyone loves it so much. But then when I read it in story time, everything clicked and it was a ridiculous amount of fun to read out loud. New socks meeting the wood floor is probably my favorite part. As is the last line, which cracks me up every time. Bob Shea: you, sir, are awesome.
Profile Image for Jen H. .
187 reviews
July 13, 2008
This is a cute story that toddlers and young children will enjoy. A little chick/duck is very excited about his new socks and is eager to show them off to the reader. He even pretends the president calls him to discuss the new socks. The duck reminded me a little of the Pigeon. Illustrations of bright colors of orange, yellow and blue.
Profile Image for Zack.
399 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2008
On a second go, I'm giving this 4 stars. I must have just been in the wrong place/time when I first read it.

Original review below:

I ran to the shelf after reading Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime and was a bit disappointed. The book is okay and all, but it is clear that Shea has gotten better with experience.
781 reviews10 followers
May 16, 2010
So, Leon has new socks. Orange must be his size!

The book is largely just him playing around with his socks - not being scared on the big kids slide, talking on his "sock phone" to the president, that sort of thing. It's the enthusiasm that makes this book worth having. Definitely check it out :)
Profile Image for Ubalstecha.
1,612 reviews19 followers
February 24, 2011
Bob Shea is a newer children's author and illustrator. His previous two books (Big Plans, Dinosaur vs Bedtime) have been brilliant. This new book tells the story of a bird who has gotten a new pair of socks. These new socks give him confidence. They also open up his imagination to dream of where his new socks will take him.
Profile Image for Jay Bushara.
49 reviews
February 13, 2013
This looks like it took about fifteen minutes to illustrate and write, but you could not imagine more effortless exclamations, and you probably could not conceive a better first book. Which isn't coincidental:

"Hey New Socks... I'd like you to meet someone... Wood Floor! Whoa!"

In clamorous orange and yellow - with a couple of blue patches (to denote thoughtfulness) in between.
1 review
September 22, 2008
My ten month old son loves the bright colors in this book! I love it because it's an easy fun read filled with lots of cool sounds (like "whoa" and "brrrriiiinnngg"). I love the unique little chicken in the story and his imagination!
Profile Image for Laurie.
658 reviews6 followers
Read
January 30, 2010
Cute and colorful, will be much enjoyed by Pigeon fans (we like it even more than Pigeon). You can't really say the word "socks" in our family anymore without someone chiming in, "Oh, hello Mr. President! New socks?"
Profile Image for Stephie.
39 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2010
close second to dinosaur vs. bedtime, new socks is so adorable. it helps to start reciting lines whenever mini is anti-socks & shoes. and if you ever watch the sprout channel, they have a great "reading" (more like mini rap) of the book.
Profile Image for Bree.
540 reviews
April 12, 2012
The book was easy to read. The excitement of new socks turned into excitement for new pants so you can keep this going with all articles of clothing. My daughter learns new words all of the time so this helped her learn the word "socks" tonight since it was written on each page at least once.
Profile Image for Mitchell Ary.
80 reviews5 followers
October 2, 2014
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! there is so much comedy in this book. the way the author plays on to sarcasm and humor is fantastic. i laughed out loud as my professor was reading this book. i have to buy this book. immediately.
73 reviews
November 16, 2021
This is a cute story about a bird who gets a new pair of socks that make him feel awesome! This would be a good book to read aloud due to the simple text and bold images. I probably wouldn't have any lesson attached to this read-aloud. Students could possibly write in journals about a time that they received a new item that made them feel awesome too.
Profile Image for Carolyn Jeziorski.
567 reviews4 followers
October 17, 2018
This is a fine book to read aloud to young children. Thanks to the bird’s new socks, he can do all kinds of fun things, like skate on floors or climb a big slide. The preschoolers who listened to it weren’t as engaged as I’d hoped.
Profile Image for Trisha Parsons.
622 reviews27 followers
January 2, 2020
This is a really cute, simple, and funny book for storytime. It really got my kids talking, too. They were saying that socks were gross and then talking about how much they loved socks! It was adorable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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