Beverly Cleary tells the charming story of a cat whose position as the beloved center of the family is upset by the arrival of a new baby. Her refusal to anthropomorphize the cat added to my appreciation of this book immensely. The theme of pet jealousy was particularly relevant for me just now since my wife and I have four cats and we are also expecting our first child.

I have an old edition and I agree with the reviewers who prefer the original illustrations by Beatrice Darwin. This is the first story I have read to my as-yet-unborn daughter. I look forward to reading it with her again one day.

I have the old edition with the Beatrice Darwin illustrations-- they are lively, witty, engaging -- and awfully cute. They go well with this book, which is also all of the above.

AND -- Ms. Cleary mentions Spaying and Neutering -- THANK YOU!!! Little kids are NOT too young to understand what happens to unwanted animals. And in this case, Socks suffered a fate much more benign than most unwanted animals.

Babies and kitties DO get along, with parental supervision at all times of course.

This book was a delightful read and I look forward to perusing more of Ms. Cleary's works!

I think the Miserable Mill is a good book.It`s a good book because it`s funny. It is about how Violet, Klause, and Sunny have to work in a lumber mill till they come of age.Then Klause breaks his glasses and has to get nen ones,and when he gets new ones they hytotizes him.Count Olaf works there.

Socks Beverly Cleary *****
A kids reivew

Socks, by Beverly Clearly is a very, very funny book about a cat named Socks. He has owners that love him very much, but when the new baby, Charles William Bricker, comes, Socks is ignored,and he hates it. Then what were his loving parents thought he was too fat, and put him on a diet. Next they forgot to feed him. Find out about the events that happen to Socks in this great book. I thought that Socks was exciting, sad, and very, very funny. I would recommended this to 2nd graders and up. mr