Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party

by Kara LaReau

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152166246
• ISBN13: 9780152166243
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.1" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 3 years and under

Customer Reviews

A Winner from the LaReau Sisters

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?

Loved it

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

too cute

This is the story of 2 sock monkey. They are invited to a party! Join them as they get ready for it. The pictures are just too cute!Even a craft idea is included!

Fun Retro-Read!

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.