Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party [Hardcover]

Kara LaReau (Author), Jenna LaReau (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Rocko and Spanky

Rocko and Spanky have been invited to a birthday party. Before they go, they have lots to do. First they need to find a gift. Then they must find something to wear. But there's one very important detail Rocko and Spanky have forgotten . . . so when they finally get to the party, they're in for a BIG surprise!

Sisters Kara and Jenna LaReau invite you to a coming-out party--the first book in a new series starring Rocko and Spanky, a crafty, spunky (and uncommonly funky) pair of sock monkeys.

With complete instructions for wrapping a present the Rocko and Spanky way!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In this kids' book debut by sisters Kara and Jenna Lareau, Rocko and Socko (a funky pair of sock-monkey twins) couldn't be more excited about buying a gift and dressing up for a big birthday party on Saturday. In a spunky collage of digital photos and kitschy-chic illustrations, the action starts quickly for these simian siblings, who tear off at the beginning of the book in a sidecar-equipped Vespa. But can they agree on what to buy at the Gift-o-Rama? And then there's deciding on the right party outfits, an equally contentious affair: "What about these boots?" asks Spanky. "Can I pull off the western look?" "Please do," says Rocko." But after some good-natured squabbling, the duo is ready to arrive at the party, fully decked out and gift in hand. The only problem: Who's birthday is it? Could these twins have possibly forgotten their own birthday?

Autobiographical or not, this story certainly bears the mark of two sisters having a good time. Children's book editor Kara Lareau makes many nods to grownup readers, and illustrator and designer Jenna strikes the book's "Cha-cha-cha!" aesthetic just right, with plenty of fezzes, tiki kitsch, and fun small details--like a tiny, embedded Zippy the Pinhead strip. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–Two sock monkeys believe that they are invited to a friend's party, but it turns out that it's a surprise birthday party for them. The story has little action, and the illustrations are bland and dully colored. The drawings of the monkeys lack any sense of animation and do not portray the mischievous and fun-loving nature that the author was attempting to show. Stick with Eileen Christelow's "Five Little Monkeys" books (Clarion) or H. A. Rey's classic "Curious George" titles (Houghton).–Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; First edition. edition (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152166246
• ISBN-13: 978-0152166243
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and Scholastic Press. Currently, she lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and their two cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Retro-Read!, June 17, 2004

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party (Hardcover)

Rocko and Spanky are a couple of sock monkeys-twins, actually. They've been invited to a birthday party so they hop on their yellow motorcycle and zoom on down to the Gift-o-Rama to pick up the perfect gift. Rocko wants to buy something fast, flashy, and fun. Spanky prefers something a bit more glamorous. They finally settle on the perfect compromise: socks. (Which look suspiciously like themselves.) "Socks are so practical," says Spanky. "And SO us," says Rocko.

After deciding what to wear, they arrive to find the party is actually for them. They'd forgotten their own birthdays! Thanks to their friends, they are able to celebrate their special day in style.

The text includes a double-page spread titled "Rocko and Spanky's Wrapper's Delight." Here the pair demonstrate how to wrap presents the Rocko and Spanky way.

This buoyant, fast-paced tale was an instant hit with the first graders to whom we read it. The cartoon illustrations are done in a 50s retro style, complete with period details such as poodle prints, coconut monkeys, and the ever-present pink and green.

A deliciously fun retro-read. Who knew a couple of sock monkeys could be so hip? Highly recommended.

Artist's Discalimer: "No socks, monkeys, or sock monkeys were harmed during the making of this book. Honest."

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner from the LaReau Sisters, June 22, 2005

By 

Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party (Rocko and Spanky) (Hardcover)

ROCKO AND SPANKY GO TO A PARTY is a nice book cleverly illustrated by Jenna LaReau and written by Kara LaReau. The two animals are drawn with verve and their adventures transpire in a blaze of green and pink 50's inspired decor, though they have a hip-hop twist to their vocabulary speak which appeals to the young. I tried this book out with four kids of different races and all enjoyed watching the sock monkeys cavort to their own party; even the one little girl who spoke no English at all, laughed out loud at the two monkeys, Rocko and Spanky, hugging each other as tightly as they could, perhaps reminding the little girl of her childhood in Cambodia.

Kara LaReau should receive the Newbery Award for her work on this book. Farfetched? Not when you consider she was instrumental in securing a Newbery award for BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. Her little creations have all the appeal of Curious George PLUS the animals of BABAR, lacking only the unique charm of the first and the majesty of the second. The Newbery, in case we forget, went to Hugh Lofting the Dr Doolittle author, so it is not out of the range of possibility to suggest that Rocko and Spanky deserve it too. And if the author gets an award, I vote also that we give one to sister Jenna, whose illustrations prove one more time the truth of the old adage, that you can throw everything but the kitchen sink into your drawings, but if there isn't heart there, than you have nothing. And she has heart to burn!

Check out the drawings of Rocko on skates or behind the wheel of his miniature Vespa. He's an excitable boy! Stand clear, here comes Rocko. In the meantime, his quieter twin Spanky looks at you with those big soft eyes and you melt a little, even a hard hearted old grownup like myself. Looking forward to the next adventures of these two. If Curious George could have fifteen books, why not thirty for Rocko and Spanky?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, August 25, 2004

By 

Kelly H (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party (Hardcover)

I stumbled upon this in my local bookstore BookPeople, and I just loved it. Very cute!