When Sophie's Feelings are Really, Really Hurt

Reviewed by: Barbara Merritt - Scarborough School Department, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 1, 2015

Review

In this new story about Sophie, her teacher asks the class to study their favorite tree, then to paint it from memory at school the next day. Sophie paints her favorite beech tree, the one seen in another Sophie book, but decides the gray color is dull so paints the trunk blue instead. Children make fun of that, but the teacher helps her explain that the color expresses how Sophie feels about the tree. Bright colors used for childlike illustrations draw interest. Handwritten font style adds to that feel. The teacher's support of Sophie will be comforting to children. Children are multicultural, wear glasses, and look very much like the children readers will see in their classrooms. A good addition to your collection.

Overall Book Score: very good