Overview
Socrates is an orphan. His parents have been snatched up by the dogcatcher, leaving him to live alone on the streets. Abandoned, hungry and shunned by the other street dogs, Socrates wonders if he'll ever have a home of his very own. And even more importantly, he wonders if he'll ever find a friend. Then, one day, Socrates finds a curious object. And from that moment on, everyone looks at him quite differently.Young readers will instantly recognize Socrate's discovery as a simple pair of eyeglasses, and they will delight in Socrate's belief that he has found something magical. The delight will become joy, as the glasses help Socrates find food, shelter and, finally, a friend-reminding us that sometimes the most ordinary objects can be magical after all.
When Socrates, a homeless dog, finds a pair of eyeglasses in the street, the incident benefits him in more ways than one.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly -
Move aside, Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin: this unusually refreshing picture book boasts one of the most endearing canines ever seen outside of a dogfood commercial. A text that exudes immediacy and originality is perfectly paired with vigorous artwork both funny and touching. The eponymous pooch wanders through life all alone--Socrates is an orphan who, ``more than anything else . . . dreamed of having a friend.'' When he finds a pair of red eyeglasses (``the thing fit his nose perfectly''), his surroundings magically brighten: people seem friendlier, the world becomes more beautiful. Then Socrates meets a musician, the actual owner of the glasses, and his life, not just his vision, is improved permanently. Rascal's sympathetic protagonist has ample personality to carry an entire book on his own. In Bogaerts's pictures, bold, black strokes outline heavily painted images whose lumpiness seems just right for this somewhat lumpy character. The frequent dog's-eye perspectives are captivating, as exemplified in a closeup of toys in a toy shop--all of which seem to be smiling. And so will all those fortunate enough to share this book's uplifting experiences. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)From the Publisher
--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, Starrred Review, February 22, 1993
Move aside, Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin: this unusually refreshing picture book boasts one of the most endearing canines ever seen outside of a dogfood commercial. A text that exudes immediacy and originality is perfectly paired with vigorous artwork both funny and touching. The eponymous pooch wanders through life all alone--Socrates is an orphan who, "more than anything else... dreamed of having a friend." When he finds a pair of red eyeglasses ("the thing fit his nose perfectly"), his surroundings magically brighten: people seem friendlier, the world becomes more beautiful. Then Socrates meets a musician, the actual owner of the glasses, and his life, not just his vision, is improved permanently. Rascal's sympathetic protagonist has ample personality to carry an entire book on his own. In Bogaerts's pictures, bold, black strokes outline heavily painted images whose lumpiness seems just right for this somewhat lumpy character. The frequent dog's-eye perspectives are captivating, as exemplified in a closeup of toys in a toy shop--all of which seem to be smiling. And so will all those fortunate enough to share this book's uplifting experiences. Ages 4-8.
. . share this book's uplifting experiences. . . . this unusually refreshing picture book boasts one of the most endearing canines ever . . . Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review
. . . a memorable dog story. School Library Journal