4 out of 4 stars
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Sigfried's book stinks, but why? He takes the reader on a tour of all the stains and smells, with each one getting worse and worse. He reveals that he has a secret stash of smelly socks, but realizes that there are worse smells than his socks.
The illustrations in Len Foley's Sigfried's Smelly Socks! are unique. They combine different types of visuals, from cartoon-like drawings to actual photos, which keeps it interesting because it changes with each page. This variety of illustrations could lose any sense of cohesion the text supplies, but the illustrations tie into one another. Most of the book is written with rhymes, but instead of it reading like a song, it flows as regular prose. However, the reader could make it into more of a song if he or she chooses.
Sigfried is a believable character—he keeps socks hidden underneath his bed, which is a popular hiding place children sometimes use for their toys or laundry when they are told to clean their room, and he has not taken the best care of his book. From baby Piper's disgusting diaper to stains left by food used as bookmarks, Sigfried's book offers the description of many odors without actually providing the smells themselves. However, book-lovers know that the most well-loved books are not in perfect condition—our favorite books are often abused from repeated use, and it is refreshing to see a children's book depicting a child with that level of devotion to a book.
I find no flaws within this story. Any questionable choices (Uncle Kato's disrespect of Sigfried's book, for example) are not to the detriment of the story; instead, it enhances the tale and makes it engaging for younger readers through the use of humor. The book itself does not exactly have a clear plot and it is never revealed what book Sigfried is reading, but it provides readers with lighthearted humor and could encourage parents and children to discuss the importance of cleanliness.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I found no grammatical or punctuation errors. Even though Sigfried places blame on others for the odors found in his book, he takes responsibility for some of it, showing that he is humble and has a sense of humor.
The recommended age for this book is 3-7 years old, but I would suggest sharing this title with younger readers, if they are able to sit still long enough for it. The combination of rhyming lines and varied illustrations make the story interesting and silly. Children also frequently find “toilet” humor amusing, and this book certainly delivers on it.
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Sigfried’s Smelly Socks!
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