A finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Sassy Sisters vs The Sock Monster puts a playful spin on the perennial question of whatever happens to all the missing socks. You'll be happy to hear that the matter was solved not by the F.B.I. or Homeland Security, but by two young sisters who adore each other and are always up for an adventure together.
When Sydney, who narrates the story, overhears her mother tell her father that "the sock monster got our socks again," she sets out to convince her big sister Kennedy to help her investigate. Endearingly, although Kennedy is not too sure about this idea, she replies, "Let's go, sistergirl!"
After a bit of planning and poking their heads and then their whole bodies into the dryer (an action which may require a parental warning for some more literally minded readers), the sisters discover to their surprise that this monster is a girl and that she likes to wear their socks as hats. It takes some clever negotiating on the sisters' part, a promise, and a little sacrifice to resolve this conflict of interests. Illustrator Karine Makartichan provides delightful cartoon-like illustrations that show the sisters' determination and teamwork as well as rendering the pink puff of a sock monster adamant but non-threatening.
On her website, Groves — a first-time author — writes, "I have long felt that there is a void in the marketplace for books that feature children of color as the lead character having normal child-like experiences like being the hall monitor or the star student, as well as fantastical experiences like taking down monsters.
"For a child, it is transformative to open a book and see yourself because representation matters."
She has done a fine job of helping fill that void for children ages 4 - 7, giving us plenty of fun and cooperative spirit along the way.
