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Meet Socksquatch, the orange creature on the right . . . <\/p>\n
Frank tells us a bit below about how he came up with the Socksquatch monster, so I won’t go on and on about that, but let me just say it’s a fun read-aloud. You have to be willing, mind you, to don your best old, B-movie monster voice when reading it — for maximum effect, that is. The plot is fairly simple and the text minimal. (Well, everything is minimal: “Both the narrative and the setting—a medieval castle—are minimal elements in the book, so all expectations fall at the feet of the monsters, and they do not disappoint,” writes Kirkus<\/em>.) Socksquatch is looking for that one, lone sock that often escapes us in life, and he asks (in monosyllabic desperation) every monster he bumps into if he’s got one to spare. Here, for one, is Wayne: <\/p>\n I love what Publishers Weekly<\/em> wrote: “Although slight at first glance, Dormer’s…na\u00eff cartooning and simple silliness make this the kind of book that will probably get requested again and again. And what right-minded adult would pass up the chance to show off their best Boris Karloff impressions one more time?”<\/p>\n Here’s Frank to tell us a bit more about it. I mean Fr-a-a-a-n-k<\/em>. Say that in your best, grunty monster voice. (Note that Frank also gives us a sneak-peek below of the next Aggie and Ben<\/em> title. If you haven’t seen these short chapter books for early readers<\/a><\/strong> from Charlesbridge, I highly recommend them.) <\/p>\n Frank<\/font><\/strong>: Socksquatch<\/em> began with a statement I yelled out to my kids one morning after seeing a gaggle of socks on our lawn — and naked-toed kids running around. This comic I created sort of follows that moment to the final selling of the book:<\/p>\n In one incarnation, the character of Socksquatch looked like a heavy-headed sock tree. I imagined a Goofy-esque voice-over for the text of the book, while this sock-tree thing lumbered about grabbing socks. I had NO idea how it would end.<\/p>\n Then I had another great idea. So far I\u2019ve had about two of those. Since I am the illustrator, I can make it look like anything! From there the ideas began to flow. I remember as a kid watching the old B-movies, Mothra<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, Godzilla<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, Fantastic Voyage<\/a><\/strong><\/em>…<\/p>\n …and I tried to put a lot of that into the book.<\/p>\n This rough book cover is from the proposal sent to Reka Simonsen, then at Henry Holt. She saw my art on YOUR website and contacted me. Thanks again for that!<\/p>\n My next book is called The Obstinate Pen<\/em> (Spring 2012), about a pen that won\u2019t write what people want it to:<\/p>\n {Here is} an image drawn by an editor\u2019s child at Holt. I think it was Christy Ottoviano\u2019s son:<\/p>\n Here is an image from the forthcoming Aggie Gets Lost<\/em>, coming out in spring 2011, I think:<\/p>\n Thanks to Frank for stopping by. Here are some pics of his studio, complete with color wheels and Star Wars<\/em> toys:<\/p>\n SOCKSQUATCH \u00a9 2010 Frank W. Dormer. Published by Henry Holt and Company, New York. All images and illustrations (with the exception of the movie posters) reprinted by permission of Frank W. Dormer.<\/em><\/p>\n As a reminder, 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. <\/p>\n I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving. <\/p>\n 1).<\/font> I’m finding it challenging to get into the holiday spirit this year. So, my first kick is not your typical holiday kind of kick (not related to Thanksgiving, that is, or Christmas or, good heavens, shopping), but a kick for me nonetheless: I enjoyed rather long, thoughtful morning walks this week — in both unseasonably warm weather and then, at the next moment, chilly, hey-why-didn’t-I-put-on-my-gloves weather. (Tennessee is having mood swings and isn’t quite sure what temperature she wants to be these days.)<\/p>\n 2).<\/font> I must have lugged 500 (ish? I didn’t count) new books to my local library to donate. And I still have other tall stacks for each of my girl’s teachers. And my bookshelves are still full. That’s how many books were around this place. My house can breathe easier now; I can walk without tripping (crashing headlong into nothingness or the nearest piece of furniture is something I can handle quite well, thanks very much, even without books around, as sometimes gravity just GETS IN MY WAY); and I’m happy knowing that other kids will get to read these books. (They were mostly new picture books.)<\/p>\n (Also, I really loved this line from Scott Pilgrim himself: “Yeah, I think garlic bread would have to be my favourite all-time food. I could eat it for every meal. Or just constantly, without stopping.” But it’s better to see the wonderful Michael Cera deliver said line.) <\/p>\n 5). <\/font>I got to meet a very good friend’s wee, newborn babe, a beautiful girl named Kenna. And hold her while she slept. <\/p>\n 6). <\/font>This week, I evangelized two of My Best, As In Favorite, Things and converted some folks: A friend of mine made Chocolate Guinness cake this week after I told her about it. (Cream cheese frosting<\/em>, people. Ah. Happy sigh.) I also told two friends about David Sedaris’ holiday essay, “Six to Eight Black Men,” which makes me laugh so hard every year that I laugh tears and think my pants are nearly gonna split. (“What kind of Santa spends his time pretending to kick people before stuffing them into a canvas sack?”) And I have Adrienne Furness<\/a><\/strong> to thank for evangelizing that to me way back. If you’ve never heard Sedaris read it, BLESS MY SOUL, go and listen to it here<\/a><\/strong>. (I recommend hitting the audio link at the top. Hearing him read it live trumps reading it to yourself.) <\/p>\n 7\u00bd). <\/font>This<\/a><\/strong> beautiful poem that I saw at John’s site<\/a><\/strong> (“JES,” as he cyber-signs his name around here).<\/p>\n That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it. I hope you<\/em> all are psyched about the holidays and got to spend Thanksgiving with the people you love. <\/p>\n NOTE: <\/font>Author\/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka<\/a><\/strong> has founded the The Joe and Shirl Scholarship. Its full name is the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund at the Worcester Art Museum<\/a><\/strong> (Massachusetts), and it provides tuition to needy children who are in unique familial situations. (I’ve already told Jarrett that I was surprised to hear how “Worcester” is pronounced in this below video, and he says it’s usually pronounced “Woohstah.” Like a true Southerner, I was pronouncing each and every syllable in my head. But I digress.) Check out Jarrett’s video, and help spread the word about this lovely cause \/ auction:<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/frankdormer2.jpg\")
He’s finally located a sock. He’s been lurching around and searching for one, you see, in an October release from Henry Holt and Company, Socksquatch<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, by elementary art teacher by day and author\/illustrator by night, Frank W. Dormer<\/a><\/strong> (pictured left — half-man, half-illustration). Not only do I like this book—and think the children in your life will most likely enjoy it, too—but I have to say that I also have a special spot in my squishy heart for this title, and here’s why: As Frank mentions below, a children’s book editor saw his art work featured here at 7-Imp (that would probably be this post<\/a><\/strong> from ’07, though Frank also visited me for a breakfast interview<\/a><\/strong> in 2008), and she contacted him about doing a book for Henry Holt. And that book would be the book you’re reading about today, Socksquatch<\/em>. I cannot emphasize enough<\/font> how happy this all makes me — not in a vain it-was-seen-at-my<\/em>-blog kind of way. Not at all. But in an I-love-to-connect-such-talented-people kind of way. Truly. <\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/hiwaynespread1.jpg\")
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3).<\/font> I’ve sort of indulged myself this week and watched more movies than normal. Should have been writing, but ah well. Two of my favorites: An indie black comedy with Robin Williams (playing, oddly, a sort of anti-John Keating<\/a><\/strong> character)—and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, of all folks—called World’s Greatest Dad<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. I can’t remember the last time I stumbled upon a movie I knew nothing about and which no one had suggested I see — that I also liked. It lagged in spots, but it has a fabulous ending. Also: Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, a movie for which there is no word other than awesomatic<\/font><\/em>. <\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/aiw104a.jpg\")
4).<\/font> It was Alice<\/em>‘s birthday this week<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/alice1.jpg\")
7). <\/font>The Alice<\/em> mad-tea party illustration Frank created specifically for 7-Imp in 2007 (pictured left and forever on this page<\/a><\/strong> of the site) is still a kick for me.<\/p>\n