Dear Socks, Dear Buddy

Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets

Company type	Children's book
Industry	Publishing
Founded	1998
Founder	Hillary Rodham Clinton
Products	Children's literature

Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets is a 1998 children's book authored by First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton. The book centers on the White House animals during the Clinton administration, specifically Socks the cat and Buddy the dog.

Description

This volume gathers more than 50 letters penned by children addressed to the First Pets, accompanied by upwards of 80 photographs. The correspondence features inquiries such as "Who do you prefer? Mr. Clinton? Mrs. Clinton or Chelsea?" along with lighthearted questions posed to Socks and Buddy about their lives in the White House. Clinton provides insights into the pets’ behaviors, their playful competition, and recounts the history of earlier presidential pets. Additionally, the book offers guidance on pet care and encourages parents to nurture children's writing abilities. The concluding section, titled "A Note on Saving America's Parks and Treasures," expands upon themes beyond the scope of the animals.

History

The idea originated from Clinton’s publisher, Simon & Schuster, who aimed to create a follow-up to her bestselling 1996 work It Takes a Village. This project followed in the footsteps of former First Lady Barbara Bush’s 1990 hit Millie's Book, which focused on the previous presidential dog. Publicly announced in June 1998, the book was developed with assistance from Washington journalist Linda Kulman, later identified as a ghostwriter.

Initial print quantities ranged between 400,000 and 500,000 copies, with actual sales nearing 350,000. Although commercially successful, it did not reach the sales figures of It Takes a Village, partly due to its differing subject matter and reduced promotional involvement by Clinton. Its launch coincided with the emergence of the Lewinsky scandal and subsequent impeachment of Bill Clinton, which limited her ability to promote the book.

Proceeds

Clinton did not receive an advance payment for this publication. All income from sales and publishing rights was donated to the National Park Foundation, which serves as the official charitable organization for America's National Park Service. The publisher also pledged to contribute a portion of its proceeds to this foundation.

The copyright for the book was assigned directly to the foundation, streamlining tax considerations related to profit donations and avoiding complications that had arisen with It Takes a Village.

See also

• C. Fred's Story (1984)
• Millie's Book (1990)
• Marlon Bundo's A Day in the Life of the Vice President (2018)