“Sockmates and the Land of Lost Socks” is a story about breaking free from the colours, stripes, and drawers we are born into. Polo is stuck in a cotton-covered echo chamber, unwilling to understand anything about his fellow socks. Like all socks, Polo is paired with a mirror image of himself named Marco. The sockmates talk the same, think the same and, of course, look the same. This all changes when Polo gets thrown into the “land of lost socks” and embarks on an adventure to find his way back.
About the Ryan Brothers
Nevan and Ciaran Ryan are brothers born and raised in Toronto. While much of their youth was spent trying to inflict bodily harm on each other – don’t ask them about the 2013 Thanksgiving Day Football Classic – adulthood has been decidedly more peaceful and collaborative.
Nevan began illustrating and painting at a young age and grew up to be an accomplished painter and advertising executive. Ciaran is a writer and works professionally as a market researcher.
The inspiration behind “Sockmates and the Land of Lost Socks” came from the socks Nevan and Ciaran’s Grandma K would hand knit for each grandchild in the winter. While most of the socks matched, a few mismatched pairs would inevitably find their way into sock drawers. Nevan and Ciaran like to think it was Grandma K keeping them on their toes. Matched or unmatched, each pair was beautiful in their own way and great at keeping your toes warm. Grandma K’s socks spawned a series of paintings and then evolved into the book you’re holding now.
This book is a lifelong dream of the Ryan brothers come true, and the first of a series of children's books they’re creating together.
