Simon Sock
What’s inside...
Simon the Odd Sock is a humorous new character introduced by the bestselling creators of Barry the Fish with Fingers and the illustrator of Goodnight Digger. In this story, Simon lives in a drawer with other socks, where each day two socks are chosen for an adventure. While every other sock has a pair, Simon does not. The book follows Simon's quest to find his perfect match, and celebrates themes of friendship and embracing differences. The book is a collaboration between Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, authors whose books have collectively sold over 1 million copies.
Discussion points
How do you think Simon felt when he couldn’t find a pair? Can you think of a time when you felt similar?
Why do you think it's important for Simon to find a pair that matches? What does it tell us about friendships?
What do you think makes Simon and his new friend a good pair, even though they are not the same?
How did the other socks treat Simon when he was searching for his pair? How would you have helped Simon?
What did you learn about being different and unique from Simon’s adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to explore feelings and friendships by relating Simon’s journey to their own experiences. Use real-life examples to connect with the story and foster a deeper understanding. Highlight the importance of acceptance and celebrating differences, as illustrated in the book. Discuss the book’s illustrations to help your child articulate thoughts visually as well as verbally. Lastly, emphasize the joy and value of an unexpected friendship, just like Simon's.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: Simon Sock is about a lonely sock who is looking for a perfect pair and discovers that pairs do not have to look alike. This tale illustrates that differences can be complementary rather than divisive.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of accepting and appreciating the differences in people around them, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem solving
Explanation: In the story, Simon uses creative thinking to find his match, which turns out to be an unlikely partner. This narrative encourages thinking outside the box to find solutions.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that sometimes unconventional approaches can solve problems, fostering creativity and innovative thinking in daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Simon faces several rejections in his quest, yet he does not give up. His journey teaches resilience and the importance of persisting through difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of not giving up despite setbacks, applicable in doing homework, learning new skills, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: Valuing friendship
Explanation: The story highlights that true friendship is not about superficial similarities but about deeper connections. Simon finds true happiness with an unexpected friend.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value and nurture friendships based on mutual respect and shared experiences rather than external appearances.