Judy Dykstra-Brown
What’s a girl to do when she discovers her Great Aunt Knox, notorious for giving sox as presents, is coming for Christmas this year? When asked, a girl just has to tell the truth:
paints, crayons, ruby rings,
a horse, a Barbie doll, some books,
a new toy oven that really cooks,
a ball, some blocks, a jigsaw puzzle,
a baby crocodile with muzzle,
bubbles, bracelets, purses, beads,
comic books, sunflower seeds,
a kid's Mercedes just my size,
or even a Crackerjack surprise
I could accept—
except,
“Please,”
And here I gave her hand a squeeze)
“please, please, Aunt Knox,
don’t give me sox!!!”
And, as she professes to, Aunt Knox certainly understands—doesn’t she?
Sock Talk—A Christmas Story, written in verse by Judy Dykstra-Brown and illustrated by Isidro Xilonzóchitl, is the first in a series of five books written to please adult readers as much as the children being read to.
Excerpts from Amazon reviews of Sock Talk:
—“When you go to buy this book, make certain you read it through and I will make a bet with you that you will think of at least one more person who would value your gift. Such beautiful sounds (best when read aloud) and the boldness and brilliance of the illustrations complete the story. Isidro and Judy make a perfect team. Each picture and word makes us want to turn the page. And who amongst us does not like a happy ending?”
—“This well-crafted poem of a zany great aunt visiting her loved ones knocked my socks off!. My granddaughter immediately picked up the book and read it out loud to all of us and it not only took on a melody of it's own but it unfolded a truly remarkable story of anticipation and the expectations we all experience when opening wrapped gifts on special occasions. The pages came alive with beautifully painted images of traditional family Christmas scenes with little twists of surprising details as a great aunt in Birkenstock sandals and a father in goatee and ponytail. It will definitely become an annual read in our family as well as a gift to give to others.”
—“My copies of SOCK TALK arrived and I'm anxious to share them with my grandchildren. The rhyme, illustrations, and font are most appealing. I recommend this to all my friends with grandchildren, no matter what age.”
“Sock Talk deserves to join ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol as a holiday classic. It will make a good Christmas gift for children aged four to ninety-four.”
In 2001, Judy Dykstra-Brown moved from central California to the hills above San Juan Cosalá, Mexico, the village where Isidro Xilonzóchitl was born and still lives. This is their first collaboration. Four more children’s books are in process. This and other books by Dykstra-Brown can be found in local bookstores and galleries as well as on Kindle and Amazon. Isidro is a well-known artist whose works may be found in numerous galleries including his own café/gallery “La Rueda” in San Juan Cosala.
