What do you think?
Rate this book
Sophie #1
Sophie's Snail
Small, but very determined, Sophie loves animals and is going to be a farmer when she grows up. Sophie's fond of most creatures - especially little ones like snails - but there's one she cannot stand: her prissy new neighbour Dawn!
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
41 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Dick King-Smith
328 books309 followersDick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 4, 2020
When the Mobile Library came to my neck of the woods one day, Mum & I Saw Sophie's Snail in the Children's Section. (at that moment in Time,)Reading this Changed my Life.
February 12, 2020
What a cute book!
I think that the reason I love this book so much is because that girl is just like me when I was a child. I didn't like to socialize with other kids, instead I would just play with the earth words and snails. I found that enlightening!
I think that the reason I love this book so much is because that girl is just like me when I was a child. I didn't like to socialize with other kids, instead I would just play with the earth words and snails. I found that enlightening!
January 7, 2015
This book is the first book of the Sophie series. It is written by Dick King Smith. It is about a little girl named Sophie where she finds a snail in her back garden. She takes good care of it and later the snail grows old and she releases it back in her garden. I especially liked the part when she releases the snail because she is very proud of what she did. My favourite character was Sophie because she is small but she knows a lot. I recommend this book to children 8+
January 14, 2019
This was such a cute little story! My cousins brought the book over, and I could not help myself. I had to read it. And it was worth it. Four-year-old Sophie is very intelligent and very adorable. I love this book so much.
February 16, 2017
This series was my favourite as a young kid and one of the very small selection of kid's books I still own. I just reread it (didn't take long of course!) and it really holds up! Probably a good one to read to young kids without getting bored yourself.
April 19, 2021
It is not a very Good book.
April 2, 2023
Loved it the first of the series where Sophie befriends a snail and wants to become a farmer can’t wait for the rest of the books
October 27, 2016
Four and a half stars for this delightful little story of a girl who knows what she wants, if not how to get it. She also knows what she doesn't want, and won't put up with. Sophie is older than her age, but that's not unusual for the only girl (and one who is not a spoiled princess), used to holding her own against older brothers. Her relationship with the animals she loves, particularly the snail, is charming without being sweetie-sweet, and the illustrations depict real children doing real things. The artist catches not only their features but their feelings in a way that made me laugh with recognition.
The only drawback is that Sophie is written as a four-year-old who has never gone to school, and yet she can write and sort of spell. OK, so she spells "snails" as "SNALES" but I find that a bit advanced; even though by age 6 I was reading at a 5th grade level, the motor skills of writing took me a few years to master. I learned to read at age 3 because I had a lot of older siblings who liked to "play school" and taught me my letters, and my mother read aloud to me while running her finger along under the words. Writing, however, was left for school. Unless mum is teaching her at home (and there's nothing to imply that mum pays much attention to Sophie at all beyond expecting her to behave), how would a four year old learn to write by herself?
I enjoyed Sophie's payback of dreadful, spoiled-princess Dawn; my inner four-year-old cheered!
The only drawback is that Sophie is written as a four-year-old who has never gone to school, and yet she can write and sort of spell. OK, so she spells "snails" as "SNALES" but I find that a bit advanced; even though by age 6 I was reading at a 5th grade level, the motor skills of writing took me a few years to master. I learned to read at age 3 because I had a lot of older siblings who liked to "play school" and taught me my letters, and my mother read aloud to me while running her finger along under the words. Writing, however, was left for school. Unless mum is teaching her at home (and there's nothing to imply that mum pays much attention to Sophie at all beyond expecting her to behave), how would a four year old learn to write by herself?
I enjoyed Sophie's payback of dreadful, spoiled-princess Dawn; my inner four-year-old cheered!
October 9, 2009
Hee! Hee! this is good and for lil kiddies!
March 5, 2025
My first introduction to the Sophie series was Sophie is Seven, and I instantly fell in love with her tomboyish character and the story. That’s why I ended up buying the entire set!
Sophie’s Snail, the first book in the series, is just as funny and cleverly written, with comedy woven seamlessly into everyday situations. It also brought back fond memories of my own outdoor childhood—free from technology and digital screens. The dialogue feels incredibly real, and the book beautifully portrays a happy family, just as the doctor in the story mentions.
The ending is absolutely splendid—it made me smile and filled my heart with joy, right alongside Sophie’s happiness. I can’t wait to read the next book, Sophie’s Tom. Even though each chapter tells its own story, there’s a wonderful sense of continuity, like the timeline of Aunt Alice, that ties some chapters together.
Sophie’s Snail, the first book in the series, is just as funny and cleverly written, with comedy woven seamlessly into everyday situations. It also brought back fond memories of my own outdoor childhood—free from technology and digital screens. The dialogue feels incredibly real, and the book beautifully portrays a happy family, just as the doctor in the story mentions.
The ending is absolutely splendid—it made me smile and filled my heart with joy, right alongside Sophie’s happiness. I can’t wait to read the next book, Sophie’s Tom. Even though each chapter tells its own story, there’s a wonderful sense of continuity, like the timeline of Aunt Alice, that ties some chapters together.
June 23, 2019
The sophie series was one of my earliest memories of reading/audiobooks as a child and on re read this has certainly stood the test of time. Each chapter is like a story of its own and can sometimes feel a little disjointed but given the target audience that is not necasarily a bad thing. Overall this book was funny and charming and definatly worth a read
November 15, 2024
These were childhood favourites and comfort books for me when I was sick before Harry Potter ever came along. I just rebought an old edition for nostalgia's sake!
Now as an adult 'tomboy' who still enjoys birds and bugs and hangs around on farms a lot I realise I must have identified quite a lot with the character of Sophie.
5* for the warm memories!
Now as an adult 'tomboy' who still enjoys birds and bugs and hangs around on farms a lot I realise I must have identified quite a lot with the character of Sophie.
5* for the warm memories!
August 24, 2018
We read this as part of our morning time routine this week as we were learning about snails. The story was ok but not one I would recommend. I probably won't bother reading any of the other Sophie stories to my children but I may keep them for the early readers to read to themselves.
April 18, 2019
Even though Sophie is only four, I believe this is written more for ages 6-8 or so. Let me know if you share it with your little one, please....
I prefer King-Smith's animal fantasies, but he has a magic touch and even his Sophie stories are charming.
I prefer King-Smith's animal fantasies, but he has a magic touch and even his Sophie stories are charming.
December 28, 2020
I read this as a child myself, I read it to my eldest when she was the titular Sophie's age, and I just read it again to my youngest. It's still charming - I really like Sophie and it's a fun one to read.
August 11, 2021
Love Sophie - "small but determined", has a lot of agency for a four year old, very appealing even if she isn't that nice to other kids her own age. Pretty funny with jokes for adults and kids. Clearly written by a man who knows about kids and animals
October 29, 2023
Snails, annoying twins and a smart and independent main character. I loved these books as a child and have loved sharing then with my daughter .
I would be sad too is I thought that I'd drowned my pet snail too
I would be sad too is I thought that I'd drowned my pet snail too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2018
This was my absolute favorite when I was a child. Loved this book. Loved Sophie and her family. Loved her spirit, determination, compassion, personality everything. Must read for young children.
April 4, 2019
Sophie is one of my all-time favorite characters.
July 18, 2019
Recommended by my sister. I didn't like it much, but my son seemed to.
Sophie is the most precocious 4 year old I've ever come across.
It's kind of cute, but kind of annoying too.
Sophie is the most precocious 4 year old I've ever come across.
It's kind of cute, but kind of annoying too.
August 15, 2019
A sweet story about family, friendship and animals.
January 16, 2020
Fun read aloud for the kids. They kept asking for the next chapter. I think they can read the series on their own when they are ready
May 17, 2020
I don't know if I'd normally rate this a full five stars except that my daughters absolutely adored listening to this for their read aloud and would beg me to read it. We love Sophie as a character!
June 16, 2020
My daughter's first chapter book. She loved it.
July 4, 2021
Lovely stuff 👍
October 11, 2022
“Would have liked it more if it had more animals”
April 9, 2023
Sophie is iconic. 'My snail's... gone down the plughole...' :'(
October 11, 2023
Contradicting views of this book. Sweet & innocent but there was something about the style of writing that grated on me. And too may plodding offs!!
March 13, 2024
Cute children's book
March 26, 2024
Read as a family read-aloud, with kids ages 9, 8 and 4, and we all absolutely loved it! My very own Sophie especially so. ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews