SOCK MONKEY RIDES AGAIN

The all-knit toy actor is back in the saddle again, riding a tide of bit parts to a starring role as a singing cowboy. Unfortunately, the gig includes kissing the leading lady, and though Sock Monkey can get coaching from his friends in yodeling, lassoing and horseback riding, he’s on his own for the smooch. Bell digitally mixes simple shapes and swatches of fabric into flat-looking cartoon illustrations, outfitting Sock Monkey in appropriate cowboy gear and setting him up on the set of El Rancho Socko with opposite number Lulu Nevada—a bug-like wind-up toy who bursts into tears when, after acing all of his earlier scenes, he quails in the clutch. At his friends’ urging, though, he gives it another go, and one chaste peck on the cheek later it’s a wrap, with the two riding off into the sunset together. Happy trails to them, and to all readers with the stomach for such relentless, intense cuteness. (Picture book. 5-8)