Reviews

Set in Great Britain, this delightful story relates the daily antics of a lively four-year-old girl. Sophie likes cornflakes, sunglasses, card games and great-great-aunt Alice. She is less fond of dresses, sardines in tomato sauce, plastic ponies and Dawn, her young neighbor. The discovery of a yellow snail sparks Sophie's interest in the animal kingdom. Someday, she decides, she would like to buy her own farm, and she starts a fund for the cause. In the meantime, Sophie is content to use the potting shed as a barn for a wide assortment of tiny creatures. Charming illustrations complement King-Smith's ( Babe the Gallant Pig ; Harry's Mad ) down-to-earth style and gentle wit. From a cast of engaging characters, Sophie emerges as a rugged, uncompromising heroine who will win readers' hearts. Ages 5-9. (Oct.)

K-Gr 3-- Four-year-old Sophie is very fond of animals. In fact, her life's ambition is to become a lady farmer, as she explains to her family in great detail, including the names of the cow, hens, pony, and spotted pig she plans to buy when she saves enough ``munny.'' In the meantime, she is honing her skills by keeping flocks and herds of wood lice, earwigs, and her favorite animals--snails. In this wonderful, easy reading, first chapter book, King-Smith introduces a determined and quite special heroine who will capture the hearts of all who come to know her. Her humorous antics, her dealings with her rambunctious six-year-old twin brothers, and her unique philosophies of life all ring pure and true and will leave their mark on readers. Minter-Kemp's numerous black-and-white line drawings capture the family's warmth and highlight the fun. For those children with an appreciation for the small wonders in life, add Sophie to your lists.--Luann Toth, ``School Library Journal''