Use Your Words, Sophie

Starred review from January 12, 2015
Sophie the mouse gains a baby sister in her third outing, and her response to this intrusion involves showing off her inner polyglot, whether it’s her command of “Jellyfish language” (“Jubbabubba,” she babbles, rolling on the floor) or her decision to sing “the Baboon national anthem in her bed as loud as she could possibly sing” when both girls are put down for naps. Wells remains a master of conveying intense emotions through subtly funny writing, smartly observed situations (in the background, Sophie’s parents debate baby names), and emotionally telegraphic art—Sophie’s narrowed eyes broadcast so much disdain it’s downright chilling. Up to age 3. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

Starred review from January 1, 2015
Sophie, the spirited mouse toddler, is back-navigating sisterhood with mischief and delight. When Sophie's baby sister arrives home sans name (her parents are still deciding, a running joke), the vivacious 2-year-old decides to only speak Jellyfish...or Hyena, or sing Baboon (at the top of her lungs). The latter of which wakes her delicate, pink bundle of a sister, who proceeds to wail inconsolably. Nothing can calm the infant, not food nor change of diapers-not even Granny! Finally, Sophie uses her words, quietly singing to her sister, who becomes calm, but how? Sophie proclaims it was easy, as she knew the baby's name, so she sang "Jane, Jane, don't be a pain!" Wells perfectly captures the honesty and hilarious insight of a precocious youngster; and her mixed-media illustrations, rich in color and pattern, emit an earnest warmth. Here, her captivating character illustrations-with their hysterical expressions, silly (yet so recognizable!) poses and tender connectedness-shine. This is Wells at her comedic best, and readers will be left in stitches. Absolutely enchanting-a must-have for the new-sibling shelf. (Picture book. 2-6)

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December 1, 2014

PreS-Two-year-old Sophie uses her own language upon the arrival of "a brand new pink nosed baby." As Mama and Daddy try to settle in with a toddler and a newborn, Sophie rebels in her own way, creating made-up words. Granny is called in to rescue the frazzled parents, and it is Granny, speaking her granddaughter's pretend language, who helps Sophie become the hero, calming her crying sister with Sophie's words. As the story progresses, her parents disagree about the baby's name. "Amber," says her father. "'We decided on Ashleigh, ' said Mama." But it's Sophie who knows what the baby wants to be called, and she is named Jane. Wells's colorful artwork features an assortment of patterns and detail, giving the home a cozy, lived-in look, and the facial expressions capture the frustrations of both parents and Sophie, who can be seen grimacing and rolling her eyes. Another winner from Wells.-Gwen Collier, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2015
Preschool-K Irascible, lovable Sophie returns, this time to welcome a new baby sister. As her parents squabble over potential baby names, Sophie vies for attention, adopting all manner of foreign languages. She greets the baby in Jellyfish, protests her parents' instructions in Hyena, and sings in Baboon, only to be met with the refrain, Use your words, please, Sophie! In the end, they call in Granny, who plays along, giving Sophie the attention, and the agency, she requires. It's Sophie who is able to calm the baby, and find a name for her in the process. Wells peppers her story about language with rich vocabulary, underlining the theme and offering context for words like swaddle and bassinet. And her typically sweet, buoyant pastel watercolors, framed on a soft lavender backdrop, brim with interesting detail. This gentle, lightly piquant outing combines authentic humor and recognizable growing pains in a comfortable tale sure to delight young listeners, with or without siblings.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Well, it's Wells. The creator of such lovable characters as Max, Ruby, Ivy, Yoko, and Harry just keeps on trucking.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

March 1, 2015
Mouse-child Sophie uses lots of words. She welcomes her new baby sister home from the hospital in Jellyfish language ("Jubbabubba"); she growls that she's "too big for naps" in Hyena language ("Grabvjkloz!"). But her distracted parents -- who can't even agree on the baby's name -- don't listen, telling her over and over to "use your words, please, Sophie!" Then Sophie sings the "Baboon national anthemas loud as she could," and little Ashleigh (or is it Amber?) wakes up screaming and won't stop. Once again, Granny comes to the rescue (Time-Out for Sophie, rev. 1/13; Sophie's Terrible Twos, rev. 1/14) -- answering Sophie's Space language greeting in Martian before helping restore the peace. Wells's cozy ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations expand on the measured text; her sturdy mouse characters are notably expressive. Sophie and Granny's special relationship comes across warmly in both text and pictures. With Granny on her side, Sophie doesn't need the disruptive behavior and -- speaking English -- offers to hold the howling baby. Sophie and her words finally get baby Samantha Marie (or, wait, Symphonie Pearl?) to stop crying and listen. Sophie listens, too, and tells the grownups: "She wants to be called Jane." This is a satisfying story with a believable hero whose everyday experiences will resonate with young children...and their parents, if they're paying attention. kitty flynn

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)