Karl M Cottle

The Adventure of Sockboy Karl M Cottle

It's Tim Burton Meets Dr. Suess




This is the first book in the Sockboy series. When a boy dons a costume of his own making, his journey takes him to learn a powerful truth: a costume doesn't really shield him from the world. Young readers will easily find connection to the main character, and the adults who read to them will both relate to the deeper, hidden meanings. This book is charming with its warm colors and nostalgic, dreamlike style. It's designed to speak to the child in all of us.




The story begins when a little boy seeks comfort for his cold feet (and protection from the world) by knitting himself into a full-body, wool sock. Using his sock as a superhero identity, he has fun at first, but then he sees this armor start to work against him. Taking the risk to come out of his shell, his mum shows him the importance of being vulnerable and loved. The story speaks to the barriers children build to cope with early traumas and how barriers can hinder emotional growth in later life. There is a fun aspect to this book; it's written in verse with great read-aloud potential. Each book in this series has its own theme, but ultimately these books are about healing, hope, and happiness.