9 /10 1 Votes
Language English Pages 160 Originally published 1973 Page count 160 | 3.9/5 Goodreads Cover artist Beatrice Darwin Publication date 1973 ISBN 0-688-30067-7 Country United States of America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Media type Print (Hardcover and Paperback) Publisher William Morrow and Company Genres Fiction, Novel, Children's literature Similar Beverly Cleary books, Children's literature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Socks is a children's novel written by Beverly Cleary, originally illustrated by Beatrice Darwin, and published in 1973. It won the William Allen White Children's Book Award. The title character of the book would eventually become the name for Socks Clinton, the cat of U.S. President Bill Clinton and family.
Plot summary
The story is told from the perspective of a tabby cat with four white paws who lives with a young married couple, Bill and Marilyn Bricker. Initially, Socks and the Bricker couple are alone, and Socks receives a great deal of love and attention as a result. However, the Brickers soon have a baby son and Socks begins to feel as though he has been forgotten. Socks receives less attention than he normally would as the Brickers must now spend most of their time caring for baby Charles William; he even ends up living in the garage for a short time when his behavior is misinterpreted. He has several misadventures in the course, culminating in a fight with another neighborhood cat. After this takes place, the Brickers realize they have been so wrapped up with the new baby that they have neglected Socks, and they resolve this by petting and hugging Socks to remind him they love him. Later on, Socks discovers that he has a new friend in little Charles William and a new way to be part of the family. The book ends with Socks sleeping next to Charles William in his crib.