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Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets
In a world dominated by video games, voice mail, and television, it's easy to overlook the importance of the written word. If one very important thing parents can do to help their children learn is read to them, then encouraging them to write must run a close second. What better -- and more rewarding -- way to teach a child these invaluable communication skills than through letter writing?
In her warm and engaging text, Mrs. Clinton suggests ways parents can help their children initiate and enjoy the experience of writing and receiving letters, sharing her family's (and pets') experience, and explains how letters to Socks and Buddy are received, sorted, and answered at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. Mrs. Clinton gives a brief "pet history" of the White House, from Dolley Madison's parrot and Teddy Roosevelt's children's menagerie to the Bushes' English springer spaniel Millie. She also talks about the ways Socks and Buddy participate in White House life, such as greeting guests and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Fans of the First Pets will be delighted by a section on their vital statistics (Socks' tail 1 foot; Buddy's snout 5 inches) and answers to the questions most asked by correspondents ("Do you have room service?").
In Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, Mrs. Clinton also shares more than fifty letters children have sent the nation's First Pets, from a simple request for a "paw-tograph" to more exacting notes of good wishes ("I want to give you a big heart, as big as the whole world") and generous advice ("Just because they went on a trip and didn't take you doesn't mean they don't love you any more"). Illustrated with more than eighty photographs of Socks and Buddy on the job and at play in the White House, this book will inspire children to share their ideas and wishes through writing.
In her warm and engaging text, Mrs. Clinton suggests ways parents can help their children initiate and enjoy the experience of writing and receiving letters, sharing her family's (and pets') experience, and explains how letters to Socks and Buddy are received, sorted, and answered at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. Mrs. Clinton gives a brief "pet history" of the White House, from Dolley Madison's parrot and Teddy Roosevelt's children's menagerie to the Bushes' English springer spaniel Millie. She also talks about the ways Socks and Buddy participate in White House life, such as greeting guests and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Fans of the First Pets will be delighted by a section on their vital statistics (Socks' tail 1 foot; Buddy's snout 5 inches) and answers to the questions most asked by correspondents ("Do you have room service?").
In Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, Mrs. Clinton also shares more than fifty letters children have sent the nation's First Pets, from a simple request for a "paw-tograph" to more exacting notes of good wishes ("I want to give you a big heart, as big as the whole world") and generous advice ("Just because they went on a trip and didn't take you doesn't mean they don't love you any more"). Illustrated with more than eighty photographs of Socks and Buddy on the job and at play in the White House, this book will inspire children to share their ideas and wishes through writing.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1998
About the author
Hillary Rodham Clinton
104 books2,845 followersHillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26, 1947) was the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the cabinet of President Barack Obama. In 2016, she became the first woman in U.S. history to win a major party's presidential nomination, and the first woman to win the popular vote in a presidential race - despite losing the election.
She was a Senator from the state of New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd, President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, Hillary served as First Lady from 1993 to 2001. In the 2008 election Clinton was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.
A native of Illinois, Hillary Rodham attracted national attention in 1969 when she was chosen by her peers to be the first student commencement speaker at Wellesley College. As a graduate of Yale Law School, Class of 1973, she served temporarily as a Congressional legal counsel. Rodham moved to Arkansas in 1974, marrying Bill Clinton a year later. Hillary Rodham Clinton co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families in 1977, and became the first female chair of the Legal Services Corporation in 1978. Named the first female partner at Rose Law Firm in 1979, she was twice listed as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America. First Lady of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992 with husband Bill as Governor, Clinton successfully led a task force to reform Arkansas's education system. She has served on the board of directors of Wal-Mart as well as several other prominent corporations.
In 1994 as First Lady of the United States, her major initiative, the Clinton health care plan, failed to gain approval from the U.S. Congress. However, in 1997 and 1999, Clinton played a role in advocating for the establishment of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the Foster Care Independence Act. Her time as First Lady drew a polarized response from the American public. She is the only First Lady to have been subpoenaed, testifying before a federal grand jury in 1996 due to the Whitewater controversy, but was never charged with any wrongdoing in this or any of the other investigations during her husband's administration. The state of her marriage was the subject of considerable speculation following the Lewinsky scandal in 1998 that spurred Articles of Impeachment to be issued against her husband, Bill Clinton.
In January of 2000, Clinton was elected as senator to the State of New York after moving to the small suburban hamlet of Chappaqua in Westchester County. That election marked the first time an American First Lady had run for public office; Clinton was also the first female senator to represent New York. In the Senate, she initially supported the Bush administration on some foreign policy issues, including a vote for the Iraq War Resolution, subsequently opposing the administration on its conduct of the war in Iraq, and most domestic issues. Senator Clinton was re-elected by a wide margin in 2006. In the 2008 presidential nomination race, Hillary Clinton won more primaries and delegates than any other female candidate in American history, but narrowly lost to Senator Barack Obama. As Secretary of State, Clinton became the first former First Lady to serve in a president's cabinet
She was a Senator from the state of New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd, President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, Hillary served as First Lady from 1993 to 2001. In the 2008 election Clinton was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.
A native of Illinois, Hillary Rodham attracted national attention in 1969 when she was chosen by her peers to be the first student commencement speaker at Wellesley College. As a graduate of Yale Law School, Class of 1973, she served temporarily as a Congressional legal counsel. Rodham moved to Arkansas in 1974, marrying Bill Clinton a year later. Hillary Rodham Clinton co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families in 1977, and became the first female chair of the Legal Services Corporation in 1978. Named the first female partner at Rose Law Firm in 1979, she was twice listed as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America. First Lady of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992 with husband Bill as Governor, Clinton successfully led a task force to reform Arkansas's education system. She has served on the board of directors of Wal-Mart as well as several other prominent corporations.
In 1994 as First Lady of the United States, her major initiative, the Clinton health care plan, failed to gain approval from the U.S. Congress. However, in 1997 and 1999, Clinton played a role in advocating for the establishment of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the Foster Care Independence Act. Her time as First Lady drew a polarized response from the American public. She is the only First Lady to have been subpoenaed, testifying before a federal grand jury in 1996 due to the Whitewater controversy, but was never charged with any wrongdoing in this or any of the other investigations during her husband's administration. The state of her marriage was the subject of considerable speculation following the Lewinsky scandal in 1998 that spurred Articles of Impeachment to be issued against her husband, Bill Clinton.
In January of 2000, Clinton was elected as senator to the State of New York after moving to the small suburban hamlet of Chappaqua in Westchester County. That election marked the first time an American First Lady had run for public office; Clinton was also the first female senator to represent New York. In the Senate, she initially supported the Bush administration on some foreign policy issues, including a vote for the Iraq War Resolution, subsequently opposing the administration on its conduct of the war in Iraq, and most domestic issues. Senator Clinton was re-elected by a wide margin in 2006. In the 2008 presidential nomination race, Hillary Clinton won more primaries and delegates than any other female candidate in American history, but narrowly lost to Senator Barack Obama. As Secretary of State, Clinton became the first former First Lady to serve in a president's cabinet
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 30, 2017
LOVED this book when I was a kid. I think maybe my grandma gave it to me as a present and I totally devoured it. I was SO INTO socks, because I too had a black and white cat. At the time I was less sold on Buddy, but I'm way more of a dog person now! My mom recently rediscovered this book, and gave it to a couple of young readers who are enjoying it just as much as I did! Yes!
February 25, 2012
This book doesn't quite have the humor and charm of Art Linkletter's Dere Mr. President, but is a look into the important role that companion animals hold in the lives of children. And few companion animals are as famous as the "First Pet"--the President's cat or dog.
I was pleased to see that Clinton (or her ghostwriter) apparently values the welfare of pets, as she capably recommends various pet-care tips to readers. It did, however, sadden me that the Clintons chose not to follow their own advice. The book states that pets are for life and people must take the responsibility of this seriously. However, when the Clintons left the White House, they gave Socks to President Clinton's former secretary (whom Socks did clearly like). The book also warns of the need to keep pets safely confined. In 2002, Buddy was struck by a car and killed. This book notes that the Clintons' previous dog, a cocker spaniel, also died in this way. In a tragic irony, one young letter writer even specifically writes of how sad it would be were Buddy to be hit by a car.
I was pleased to see that Clinton (or her ghostwriter) apparently values the welfare of pets, as she capably recommends various pet-care tips to readers. It did, however, sadden me that the Clintons chose not to follow their own advice. The book states that pets are for life and people must take the responsibility of this seriously. However, when the Clintons left the White House, they gave Socks to President Clinton's former secretary (whom Socks did clearly like). The book also warns of the need to keep pets safely confined. In 2002, Buddy was struck by a car and killed. This book notes that the Clintons' previous dog, a cocker spaniel, also died in this way. In a tragic irony, one young letter writer even specifically writes of how sad it would be were Buddy to be hit by a car.
September 6, 2021
I absolutely LOVE this adorable book! I have read it several times and each time I find something new. I love the sweet pictures of the First Cat Socks and the First Dog Buddy (who sadly are both in Heaven now) and the cute letters that kids wrote to them. Even as an adult I learned quite a bit about the White House and about First Pets. There are several sections in this book interspersed with the letters from kids, such as a Q&A for Buddy and Socks, a guide to pet care and the pet bios. It's a wonderful book for adults and kids alike, even if you aren't a fan of the Clinton's. It's hard not to fall in love with this book.
November 25, 2008
I am fascinated by First Pets. I think people in other countries would be appalled at the amount of attention this subject receives but I think it speaks to our yearning to connect with our politicians.
The parts written by Hillary were boring but I liked the pictures of the cats and dogs. I don't think you can fake the joy on the face of a certain pet owner profiled in this book when he scratches his dog's ears. I have even enjoyed following the exploits of Barney and Miss Beasley so you don't have to be a yellow dog to enjoy this book.
The parts written by Hillary were boring but I liked the pictures of the cats and dogs. I don't think you can fake the joy on the face of a certain pet owner profiled in this book when he scratches his dog's ears. I have even enjoyed following the exploits of Barney and Miss Beasley so you don't have to be a yellow dog to enjoy this book.
March 30, 2015
Establishing a connection with the First Pets is often a child’s earliest encounter with the White House, the office of the President, or even the workings of government.
This was something I had never really considered even though I have witnessed some of my own daughter's favorite books about the presidents include information on their pets. Seeing the Chief Executive show excitement and love toward their animal family humanizes them and gives the public a chance to see their softer side. Dear Socks, Dear Buddy is a read that all ages will enjoy.
This was something I had never really considered even though I have witnessed some of my own daughter's favorite books about the presidents include information on their pets. Seeing the Chief Executive show excitement and love toward their animal family humanizes them and gives the public a chance to see their softer side. Dear Socks, Dear Buddy is a read that all ages will enjoy.
December 19, 2008
i loved the photos of the first pets, and the letters sent from the children were very cute. quick and easy read.
January 15, 2021
Cute book. This is a collection of letters written to the Clinton pets during the Clinton presidency in the 1990's.
May 28, 2010
A beautiful and darling book - I loved not only the pictures but also the history of pets in the White House that Hillary Clinton writes about.
August 11, 2016
(read by Hillary Clinton)
Cute, short read to inspire children to write letters to "first" pets, therby inspiring them to write.
Cute, short read to inspire children to write letters to "first" pets, therby inspiring them to write.
April 8, 2015
My favorite book... recommend it
February 17, 2019
I was 18 years old when Bill Clinton got elected president so I never thought to write Socks or Buddy. I love presidential trivia and such so when I saw this book at the thrift store, I thought "presidential pets!" I should read that! It was very endearing. I just did not like at the end how Hillary said she was donating all the proceeds to national parks. I LOVE national parks, but felt this being an animal book the proceeds should go to something more animal centric.
May 11, 2017
This is a fun book but also one that tells a valuable lesson of teaching kids to read, write and stand up for their future.
March 1, 2021
Empowering
March 4, 2021
What an adorable book! And a lovely time warp to the ‘90s. So cute for all pet lovers.
June 10, 2021
Endearing letters to the pets of President Bill Clinton and tons of photos of the pets themselves in the White House… I enjoyed reading through this.
October 1, 2021
This was an adorable book! Politics aside, what a great idea to publish letters that children had written to the animals in the White House. I enjoyed reading their letters and having them answered in each written segment following them. This was a fun read full of adorable photos and stories. I recommend this book to animal lovers, people who enjoy reading letters, and people who want to learn more about animals in the White House.
December 8, 2015
The kids notes made me laugh and I loved the inclusion of photos.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews