Miss Rafferty's Rainbow Socks

Ted McGee is an associate professor of English at St. Jerome’s
College, University of Waterloo.

Miss Rafferty’s Rainbow Socks is a splendid picture book. The story
has magical elements: “when Aldona Rafferty grew bigger,” the socks
she received for her 7th birthday “grew bigger with her”; even more
marvelous, whenever she wore those rainbow stockings, “she felt like
dancing.” The story also has mythic elements (cyclical joy reinforced
by harmonies with Nature) and political elements (riches rather than
poverty are an impediment to happiness in this tale).

But all of these elements are secondary to the friendship of Miss
Rafferty and little Winnie Latham. Miss Rafferty transforms her rainbow
stockings into a doll for Winnie, a doll Winnie’s family could never
afford. Love and generosity beget love and generosity, and in the end
Winnie transforms that precious doll back into a pair of rainbow
stockings when Miss Rafferty feels she is “too old for dancing under
the moon.”

Heather Holbrook’s rich, complex illustrations enhance Annette
LeBox’s powerful story. Rolling landforms of deep green, blossoms
resembling lollipops, and houses that seem on the point of dancing along
with Aldona and Winnie—all intensify the exuberance at the heart of
this work. Highly recommended.