Socks

by Beverly Cleary, Beatrice Darwin (Illustrator)

Socks is a young tabby cat with four white paws, and he lives happily with a young married couple, Marilyn and Bill Bricker. The center of the Bricker household, Socks rules it affectionately but firmly.

Into this loving home, however, comes another pet. This creature has a small, wrinkled, furless face, and Mr. and Mrs. Bricker spend an inordinate amount of time trying to burp it. Its arrival fills Socks with jealousy and a terrible anxiety. How the rivalry between Socks and Charles William, the Bricker baby, turns into an alliance makes a domestic drama both touching and funny.

Although her story is about a cat and faithful to his point of view in every detail, Mrs. Cleary demonstrates with it the emotional upheaval experienced by a child who must learn to share his parents. As young readers come to understand Socks and his problems, they will gain a new understanding of themselves. But, most of all, they will laugh.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Cats, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Beverly Atlee Cleary was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful authors, 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide since her first book was published in 1950. Some of her best known characters are Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse.
The majority of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised, and she has been credited as one of the first authors of children's literature to figure emotional realism in the narratives of her characters, often children in middle-class families. Her first children's book was Henry Huggins after a question from a kid when Cleary was a librarian. Cleary won the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. For her lifetime contributions to American literature, she received the National Medal of Arts, recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Beverly Cleary School, a public school in Portland, was named after her, and several statues of her most famous characters were erected in Grant Park in 1995. Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 1 (2017) Poor Socks! How will he adjust to having baby Charles join a household where he was once the center of attention. The book has wonderful insights into the mind of a cat like Socks and why he behaves the way he does. All of us cat-lovers should take note!

Part 2 (2024) Just finished reading this via Messenger with my grandson. What I did not realize until today is that my second time through is exactly seven years after my first. And my grandson is seven years old! After reading the last chapter we compared notes. J's favorite was the very last chapter entitled 'Socks and Charles William' in which the baby manages to lock himself and Socks inside his room by rocking his crib to block the door. My chapter of choice was 'The Evening the Sitter Came' when Mrs. Risley spends an evening at the Bricker home and expertly cares for both Charles William and Socks. We are looking forward to reading the Ramona Quimby series next.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid cat rep, although I was annoyed by practically all the humans.

[Smokinjbc]

Ok.. some embarrassing sentimental reviewing follows. Read at your own peril.

My boss, who just got a little tabby kitten for her 6 year old, was looking for books for her to read this summer. So of course, I think immediately of Socks and the summer I was six years old and got my own tabby kitten and read "Socks" sometime immediately after that. Changed my life.. or at least sparked my reading of books. So for all you parents out there...

1. Get your kid a tabby kitten (Tabbies are the best- I'm 35 and on my 5th and 6th Tabby cats- I promise you will not be disappointed with it.)

2. Get your kid this book.

3. Watch your kid turn into a reader. Hope that it doesn't result in a serious animal collecting habit.

I forgot about this book until this whole thing with my boss and her daughter's little tabby cat and then it hit me what a big huge influence this book had on me as a small child with an AWESOME tabby cat (a 15 lb male mouser cat named Blueberry Muffin.. what can I say? I was six!)

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this when I was pregnant with my first. We have a beloved calico who had been Princess of Everything to that point and I'm sure she would give Socks' story five purrrs and empathize with him wholeheartedly (though thank goodness we did not have to go to any extremes with her like they did with Socks). I actually didn't get around to reading this until after my second was born and I'm glad I waited because the story is even more poignant and humorous and heartbreaking and sweet and wise when Socks is seen not just as the displaced cat but in the older sibling role. I'm sure my oldest son could relate to Socks, too! I could empathize with the new parents, so caught up with their baby and desperate to ensure his well being, though I do wish Socks hadn't been put into one situation. Still, it served it's purpose and, while I don't want to give any spoilers, I will say that I was happy with how the story ended. I've never been a Cleary fan but I really liked this book and felt she did a marvelous job getting inside the head and heart of the "older sibling" (be that a fur-baby or human child) as well as these of the new parents who loved them both.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGosh. I laughed so hard. Beverly Cleary is surely a cat person, because she has totally pegged the way a cat acts and thinks. Poor Socks has a terrible time when his family brings a baby named Charles William home to live with them. His antics trying to regain their affection are adorable. Cleary's spare, understated prose lend to the appeal for kids, and although it was first released in 1973, any cat lover today will howl with laughter. If you don't enjoy this book, then you're probably a dog person.

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, fun and entertaining. But it needs to get updated because it still references washing, and folding diapers as well has heating up formula in a saucepan.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Socks, for helping me appreciate—even more—life from a cat perspective. I thought I did, but when the intruder—I mean new baby—arrived in Sock’s happy home, his life was never the same. It got even worse when busy body extended family members arrived who thought it funny to tease Socks with pretend dog and cat noises and okay to call him fat* and recommend a strict diet.

And so, he was put on one. By this time, Socks had had enough with all the other changes he’d already been through, and he became more forceful in his insistence for love and nourishment, which did not go over well with the busy young couple totally so focused on their first child. How they responded to Socks and what happened as a result is what makes this a funny and good read!

I will be passing this along to my daughters who both have cats and are getting ready to have their second children. They both expressed frustrations with their kitties when the babies arrived. It must be a universal problem. Cats are great fur-babies until real ones come along. (sigh)

Highly recommended!

*Every time we take our cat, Lila to the vet, he gets so down on her weight as well! Although an otherwise excellent vet, he just can’t see that she is big boned, pleasingly plump and sweet-as-can-be. I prefer to think of her as the voluptuous type, which if she was human would put her into the Mae West, Dolly Parton category. (My cousin called her ‘fat’, and I am still offended!) 😉 But seriously, do people really believe cats have no feelings?! Lila is big but beautiful! And I think Socks was a Big-little man who liked his food as well.

[Tatevik · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's my first story by Beverly Cleary about an animal. I still have Ralph S. Mouse Series to read, though. Reminded me of Lady and the Tramp movie.
I wonder how the kids, who have or will have a small brother or sister, would like this!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this when I was young (even though I was a bit older than the target audience when it was released) and was delighted to find that I still do. So much wisdom, insight, adventure, and humor packed into such a very short book. Perfect for a family read-aloud for all ages. Even minor characters are full-on individuals.

And since it's a cat displaced by the baby, it's 'metaphorical' and you can apply it as bibliotherapy to your first-born without being dismissed as teachy-preachy.
---
Reread for Cleary topic in Children's books. But had a little trouble with it. Not nursing, but bottle feeding. And dad telling the infant "That's the old fight!" when he burps (he wouldn't say that to a girl baby would he?).

But the story of the cat itself is as charming as I remember from reading this book as a child.

[Tegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good, but too sad.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We haven't read as many books by Beverly Cleary together as I thought we would, but every once in awhile, I sneak one in. I think at this point, I will encourage our youngest to read them on her own, since many of them are still age-appropriate for her. She brought this book out from our bookshelves and read it for her independent reading for school and I read it after she did.

It's an entertaining story about the cat of a household and the turmoil that disturbs his happy life when a baby joins the family. The story is quite dated and I'm not sure this book has the timelessness that others have, but it's still an entertaining read. Our youngest also brought home Ribsy from her school, so we'll likely read this one next.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never read this one as a kid. Not one of Cleary's best, but still pretty good as a readaloud if you are a cat person.

[Haleigh DeRocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, simple story. Not too deep. My kids (ages 6 and 8) really enjoyed it.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book with typically endearing Cleary characters. As a long-time cat owner and cat lover, I was definitely disturbed by Socks's exile but the whole scene with Socks and the baby in the last chapter had me laughing out loud and a few sentimental tears at the end.

[Saira Sukthankar · Rating 3 out of 5]

My memories of this book are so fond, but this time I was struck my how unlikeable all the characters are.
It’s sometimes hard to take Sock’s side.
Also weird plot line about how fat Socks is and how he and the mom will diet together. Huh?

Also we’re not going to talk about the beginning where the cat gets put in the mailbox? Unnecessary.

[Heather Hyndman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fun of reading this as a family was exponentially increased by the fact that we just got a kitten of our own.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you know how sometimes you find just the right book for the moment? As a bit of serendipity, Socks written one year before I was born found its way into my families' life at just the right moment this year. My daughter is five-years-old now and a few months ago we welcomed her brother into the family. The new addition hasn't been 100% smooth. As anyone that has lived with a five-year-old and a new born will attest they both demand a good bit of attention. Particularly when the five-year-old has been used to getting all of the attention as a single child. When a new baby arrives, there is bound to be a bit of upheaval as roles and routines in the family inevitably shift. Socks, a book about a cat, captures this upheaval perfectly in a way that no "big sister" book could.

I picked up the book because my daughter is obsessed with cats and thought it would be a good possible read-aloud for bedtime, and it proved to be just that. Beverly Cleary clearly knows cats. She captures Socks actions and implied motivations perfectly. My daughter loved the illustrations and each of the actions of the cat.

However the underlying story is what drew me and my wife to really love this book. The challenges of new parenthood are captured just as accurately as the life of a cat as well as the ups and downs of pet ownership. Most importantly the themes of family love and belonging are central to the tale and make an enduring story for any kid experiencing a new sibling.

We aren't sure that our daughter caught on to the parallels between her and Socks, but the story was engrossing and a perfect bedtime treat for all of us. We look forward to reconnecting with more Beverly Cleary books, an author both my wife and I read some of as children.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Socks is a white-footed kitten taken in to a perfect home: he always has a lap, and is generally spoiled... until the day the baby arrives. Now his position in the household is threatened by the new pet.

It's a wonderful story about the impact of a baby from the cat's perspective - dated by a couple of passing references, but not too obviously for children - and the adaptations made. A good reminder for any new parents with pets, as well as for encouraging empathy in children!

[☆ emeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

8/11/2023
this was so comforting to me on my travels. I read it in one sitting on the bus from the Dead Sea to galilee, and it filled my heart with joy. it made me miss my kitties. Beverly Cleary gets cats right. seeing all the stray cats around Israel made me so sad, I just wanted to adopt them all, and this book made me want them so much more ughh.

[Reading with Cats · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved Socks, but the Brickers were the worst cat parents ever. Hated them and their stupid baby. Loathsome book.

[l · Rating 2 out of 5]

Down with babies and annoying first time parents.
Justice for socks!

[˗ˏˋ mckenna ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

decided to reread my favorite childhood book and im actually sobbing i love socks sm 🥺 sweet baby kitty 😭

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you need a sweet little children's book to cleanse the palate. Beverly Cleary is genius. I forgot how much I adore her. This book is a prime example of why.

[Chelsea Beltowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book and you cannot change my mind.

[Isabella Leake · Rating 3 out of 5]

First buddyread with my middle child, who actually was already an excellent reader. But he was not confident in his ability, so I hoped that reading a fun book side by side and my lavishing lots of praise on him would help him over the hurdle into independent reading.

I thought Socks would appeal to Ned, an animal lover, because of how cleverly it tells the story from a cat's perspective. And maybe it did appeal. Our experience of reading the book, like many school assignments, alternated between sweet togetherness and power struggles. More often that not, he complained about the book, but a few minutes into reading it, he usually seemed absorbed and genuinely delighted by the story. I don't think Socks's psyche captured his imagination as much as I expected, but he did relish the parts where Charles William comes into his own, especially his baby onomatopoeias, which Ned pronounced dramatically and to perfection.

I read a good deal of Beverly Cleary (including Socks) in my later elementary years, but this was the first of her books I've reread as an adult. My appraisal hasn't changed at all, though now I have the vocabulary to express it—her writing is admirably realistic and detailed, her style flawless, but there is a lack of enchantment to everything, a steadfast refusal to romanticize, that has always turned me off. I much prefer the older writers (like Elizabeth Enright or Astrid Lindgren) and even the modern realistic writers (Kate Albus, Maria Parr) who aren't afraid to play up the beauty and the glory of the quotidian.

I'm not sure if this means that my plan backfired or that it succeeded beyond my expectations, but about halfway through Ned informed me he'd rather read the book to me instead of with me, so we finished it that way. I don't think he liked buddyreading very much, but it seems the buddyreading served it's purpose!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that got me onto reading, it really is one of my very favourite books. I have read it many times even though I am not a big re-reader of fiction. However, I have decided it's time to give it away (it's copyrighted 1973!) to a free little library close to where I live. I am hoping that someone else of the smaller variety will have it read to them and discover the joys of reading. I have the exact same cover it's yellowed mostly because I think of the sun and the pages too. I hope it blesses someone else as much as it has me.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being as big a fan of Beverly Cleary as I am, I can't believe I hadn't read this one before. As it turns out, I think this book would be a good read not only for elementary school-aged kids, but also for first-time expectant parents, especially those with pets, and also parents who are expecting their second child (to gently remind them not to inadvertently neglect the first-born).

Socks is a cat who was adopted by a lovely couple. He had a happy life until the day the couple had their own baby. As the first-time parents fussed over their precious Charles William - with a certain amount of comical cluelessness that I recall from my own first days as a new parent! - poor Socks was ignored, overlooked, and actually relegated to the laundry room.

The good news is, there is a happy ending. But along the way, I really felt for Socks! Poor thing. He deserved better.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purrfect! I thought my 6-year-old might read this on his own, after he requested a book about a cat, but I ended up reading it to him and his 8-year-old brother. Socks reminded us of our grey tabby, Pete.

[Blair Hodges · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never read this one as a kid, so the power of nostalgia can't save it. I didn't care for the body issue stuff, the focus on weight issues, and the plot was overall not my thing. My daughter loved it, though, because she loves cats. She's six and she gave it 5 stars. 😃

[Sarah Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my ME book when I was a kid. It meant everything to me.