Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood: A Star is Bathed

Cece Bell's Sock Monkey #1

by Cece Bell

Calling all sock monkey fans! One-of-a-kind talent Cece Bell creates a quirky story like no other - a sudsy yarn about soaps and dreams, stardom, and good friends. The famous toy actor, Sock Monkey, has been nominated for an Oswald Award. But to attend the ceremony, he must do something terrifying - he must take a bath. Yikes! Just the thought of bathing makes Sock Monkey dizzy with fear. Stinky soap! Icy water! Scratchy towels! Luckily, his three best pals - Miss Bunn, Froggie, and Blue Pig - know just what to do to help Sock Monkey become fresh and clean… and maybe win his very own Oswald! Bearing all the hallmarks of a cult classic, this heartening tale will have sock monkey stalwarts everywhere heaving a sigh of approval - and perhaps furtively jotting down recommended washing instructions.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I'm an author and an illustrator, and sadly not a jazz pianist. I live in an old church in the hills of Virginia with my husband, author Tom Angleberger. I work right next door in a new-ish barn. I've written and illustrated a bunch of books for kids and was lucky enough to get a Geisel Honor for one of 'em. If you want to know more about my hearing loss or my childhood (or both), check out my first graphic novel, El Deafo. It's only slightly fictionalized, honest! I'm at www.cecebell.com if you want to see more weird stuff.

Reviews

[Abigail]

Sock Monkey is excited when he finds out that he has been nominated for an Oswald Award, in the category of best supporting toy, but then he learns that in order to attend the award ceremony he will have to take a bath! Horrified at the prospect but determined to go to the ceremony, he turns to his friends and enlists their aid in getting clean. Although the ceremony doesn't go quite as he'd hoped, Sock Monkey finds that he gets lots of appreciation for his fresh new appearance...

The perfect story for bath-shy children, Sock Monkey Takes a Bath was originally published in 2003 under the title Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood: A Star Is Bathed, before being reprinted in this new edition in 2015, with updated title. I'm not sure if any of the content has been updated, but I found the version I read fairly entertaining. Of course, I didn't grow up playing with sock monkey toys, so I had no sentimental reaction to Cece Bell's story, but I did think it would make a good selection for younger children who enjoy silly stories and humor, or who have sock monkeys themselves.

[Alex]

This book slaps

[Sarah Sammis]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2015...

[Ww]

A quite funny book...

[Lucca]

We liked this book. There were great examples of “time words” and very clear storyline.

[Nancy Palmer]

Cute book about not getting what you thought you wanted but being rewarded by the unexpected.

[Stephanie H]

As I am sure many other people are, I was already partial to sock monkeys before reading this book. My mother made my sister and I each a sock monkey as children. I named mine Lester and he was a real pal. All three of my children made frequent requests for this one during their toddler and preschool years. As the story goes, Sock Monkey gets invited to a Hollywood awards show as an actor nominee. There is just one problem, he is going to have to take a bath. This is news of tragic proportion and the kids get this, and it is funny!! They each remember the trepidation they felt when one of their stuffed buddies had to experience the washing machine for the first time. Good fun childhood drama. Sock Monkey's cast of lovelable friends come to the rescue: Froggie, Miss Bunn, and Blue Pig. Sock Monkey does eventually get his bath but whether he wins an award or not, you'll have to read the book to find out. The Sock Monkey books are out of print now making it more difficult for me to give them as gifts. I hope they make a come back in the future.

[Juliana Lee]

Sock Monkey is very excited to get an invitation to the Oswald Awards for Toys until he reads the last line, “Nominees Must be Clean.” Oh no! Sock Monkey had never had a bath in his entire life… never! Now he was worried that a bath might ruin him. His friends Miss Bunn, Froggie, and Blue Pig help him get cleaned up for the awards show. Finally, clean and dressed in a tux, Sock Monkey waits to hear who would win the award for Best Supporting Toy in a Movie. But it wasn’t him. The winner was Jack-in-the Box. Sock Monkey was disappointed, but he celebrated Jack’s success. Then surprise… Sock Monkey won the Ichabod Thalburg Award for the Cleanest Toy! He accepted the award and remembered to thank his three best friends who helped him get clean.
http://julianaleewriter.com/books-ali...

[Becky B]

Sock Monkey has been nominated for an Oswald, but the invitation says all attendees must be clean. Sock Monkey has never had a bath, and he's a little nervous about it. But with the help of his friends he's good as new for the award ceremony.

I'm not a big fan of sock monkeys so I was avoiding reading this one, but I eventually had to for cataloging purposes. It turned out to be much more fun than anticipated. Sock Monkey is a funny character, with some great friends (and a writer with subtle humor she puts in the illustrations). A great story for little ones anxious about a favorite toy getting a bath, or about being a good sport when an awards ceremony doesn't turn out as you might have hoped.

[Sock]

This book could have easily been a five star. The premise is that Sock Monkey, has been nominated for Best Supporting Toy. The problem is that he needs to clean to go to the award ceremony. Yikes! That fact alone made this a horror story. Bell does a great job of turning the bathinghorror into a pleasant event. After becoming clean, Sock travels to Hollywood and rents a tux. All does not go well at the ceremony but I won't tell you who wins because I don't want to spoil the story. I will tell you that Sock wins an award but it is so lame that I was only able to give this book 4 stars. And to think it could have been a masterpiece:(

[Sock Wiseman]

This book could have easily been a five star. The premise is that Sock Monkey, has been nominated for Best Supporting Toy. The problem is that he needs to clean to go to the award ceremony. Yikes! That fact alone made this a horror story. Bell does a great job of turning the bathinghorror into a pleasant event. After becoming clean, Sock travels to Hollywood and rents a tux. All does not go well at the ceremony but I won't tell you who wins because I don't want to spoil the story. I will tell you that Sock wins an award but it is so lame that I was only able to give this book 4 stars. And to think it could have been a masterpiece:(

[Susan Barnaby]

This is a very silly book, a funny book, and if you have a child who likes to giggle at silly things, this is a winner. Sock Monkey is nominated for an award, but it turns out he has to bathe before going to the ceremony. Much angst ensues. He goes into therapy, confronts his demons, completes his past and washes his ass. Well, alright, he just takes a bath with a little help from his friends.

[Crystal Marcos]

3.5 stars This book is for any child who doesn't like bathing. Humorous enough for adults to enjoy. I would have given it four stars if the steps for bathing were accurate. The last step has sock monkey laying on a towel to get dry. I would have preferred the toweling off part first, since the main purpose of this story is proper bathing. My little nephew likes sock monkeys or rather his mom does. (He is only 11 months). They are sure to enjoy this book!

[Mary]

This is a funny story about the famous toy actor, Sock Monkey, who is nominated for a prestigious acting award. To go the event, though, he must be clean and he doesn't want to bathe. Thanks to his dear friends, he is cleaned up and off to the awards ceremony. Very funny and would be a great read for all kids, especially reluctant bathers!

[D'Anne]

I love this book! Not only are the illustrations adorable, but the story is cute and pro-bath, which is good for kids, I think. I read this out loud to my wife this evening and we both really liked it. I can't wait to read it to my kid!

[Sandy Swain]

My sister gave me this for Christmas a few years ago because we both loved the sock monkeys our great grandmother would make for us as little girls. Adorable pictures and silly story that makes me smile.

[Samantha]

Sock Monkey is nominated for a big award, but must be clean in order to attend the ceremony.His friends help him get ready for the big event, and Sock Monkey walks away with an unexpected surprise.

Digital illustrations. PreK-2.

[Jack]

Reprint of 2003 edition in slightly larger format..
Sock Monkey has been invited to the Toy's version of the Oscars and he needs to take a bath, his first bath.

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3

[Alicia]

Got a little monkey at home that hates to take baths? This is a great story to encourage the little one to get clean - and enjoy doing it.

[Denise]

The perfect book for the 4-7 group that doesn't want to take a bath.

[Jen]

Okay story line...kept Owen's attention nearly the whole book through.

[Ashley Ainley]

Sock Monkey.... has to get CLEAN!? Oh no! Such a marvelous little tale my niece adores. And... it helps with subliminally teaching children about the importance of hygiene!

[Sandybear76]

Sock Monkey is getting an award but he needs to be clean. His friends help him take a bath, his first bath in many years. The friends' style of bathing involves a lot of travel.

[Mortira]

Very cute, with a few lessons included.

[Robin]

Not a sock monkey fan, never could understand the appeal. But I enjoyed the story until it took a turn and went to the land of participation trophies... what a disappointment.

[Sarah Threlkeld]

A silly and fun story about a sock monkey who fears getting clean, but agrees to take a bath after being invited to the Oswald Awards. A good story to read before bath time.

[Kelly]

Sock Monkey gets an invitation for an awards banquet, but in order to be able to win the award he needs to be squeaky clean. His friends help get him all clean.

[Rebecca Caufman]

Sock Monkey needs to be clean for the awards show...will he win?

[Alison]

Cute illustrations and a fun message about taking a bath, but a little weird. An extra addition, not a top pick