Sophie

by Mem Fox, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (Illustrator)

Sophie loves her Grandpa. And her Grandpa loves Sophie. They are best friends. And then one day there is no Grandpa. . . . Family love and the natural cycle of birth, life, and death are tenderly portrayed in this moving story. “Fox’s spare text distills complex life passages into emotions so clear even a child can understand and perhaps draw comfort from them.”-- Booklist

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Family, Death

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Reviews

[Adassa Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5

The drawings were interesting. The illustrator emphasized on the hands a lot where in some of the pictures, they were large. The characters were focused on the two - Sophie and her grandpa. However, I don't think they needed to add any other character to the book.

Sophie introduces the lesson that people pass away. We start with the birth of Sophie, and how her and her grandpa loved each other. There wasn't a moment where they didn't want to see each other. We see Sophie grow older and bigger, but also her grandpa grow older and smaller and weaker. Grandpa eventually dies, and Sophie is sad. That's until there is someone she can hold and love.

This book surprised me. I did judge a book by its cover, but I am still glad I bought and read the book. The outcome of the pictures with the story are so much more meaningful together. The book does have a picture at grandpa's funeral, and you can see him in his casket which could be troubling to some parents, but its something that happens, and I am glad the illustrator put it in the book.

[Cameron Melott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very heartwarming story. It brings a very real situation to the fingertips of young readers, but I don't think that is unjust. The extent in which the graphics go when depicting the death of Sophie's grandpa is probably seen as an extreme for children by some adults, but it is real; this is life. I think that this book could be very comforting for young readers experiencing a similar issue, as I also think that it can be relatable in the same heartbreak. Young readers can connect with Sophie in a realistic way, & I think that could be valuable.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought i would enjoy this book more, but it was a little strange to me. I think what was strange was the way they talk about death, but i do understand it is for kids and probably puts it into a better perspective for them. Even though it would be nice to protect little ones from death, it is something uncontrollable and something a lot of children go through, so it is important to have books that talk about it. I think this would be good for prek and is something i would have in my classroom library, but im not sure if it is a book i would read to my students.

[Shuang Zheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book is Sophie's grandpa, Sophie, and dog. The pictures in this book is abstract, big hands, big heads, also this is a wordless book, only couple words in each two pages, so it is easy to let child to read. This book is mainly talk about the love between Sophie and her grandpa, when we were young, we can not know how much our parents and grandparents love us, until when we become parents, and we love our children, at that time we will understand it.

[Maria Verduzco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice read. Grade level is PreK-2. I would like to read this to my future students because it shows a story line of a little girl and about growing up. It talks about her being a baby, to getting older, to her dad getting older as well, and then to Sophie becoming a parent. I think this will allow students to understand how aging works.

[Carlie Engels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sophie is a story that shows a great bond between a grandaughter and her grandfather. This story does a good job of depicting the life cycle. Sophie is made in portrait format, because the book is about a person. The endpapers are white. The dedication page states 'For Frank Hodge' and 'In memory of my father'. The story has colorful and very unique illustrations. They are done in acrylics, dyes, and house paint on rag cloth. The illustrations are full bleed, double page spreads. Something that stood out in the illustrations were the hands of the people. They were abnormally large and interesting looking. The story itself was very simple and to the point. There was not a lot of anticipation or excitement in the plot. On some pages the text is included in the illustration backed with a bright yellow box. However, on other pages the illustrations are cut off and the black text stands out against a plain white background.

[Natalie Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of the loving bond between a grandfather and his granddaughter. As Sophie is born, she holds a special place in her grandfather's heart. As she grows up and he grows older, they maintain their closeness and love. When her grandfather dies, Sophie has an emptiness in her heart...until she has a baby girl of her own. All the familiar feelings of love remind her of the love she had for her grandfather. The circle of life brings home the message of the importance of family. The illustrations are distorted and colorful. The artist draws certain character's features very large. Many of the pictures are full-bleeds and are "in-your face" to make a point. The pictures are also very child-like, as if drawn or painted by a child.

[Teresa Selders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book age levels is 4-7 years.( pre-k -3rd grade) I chose this book because the illustrations just pop out at you. The drawing of the big hands show me how there is so much love in a family. The drawings were beautiful with such understanding details. I like that this book depicts the love of family and shares the cycle of birth life and death. It is worth sharing because it may help smaller children under about life and how sometimes our love ones won't be with us always and that new life will continue.

[Sophia Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, easy to read children's book that carries a heavy message. Children often struggle with the death of a loved on or a family pet. This book is about a little girl named Sophie who loves her grandpa. The book shows Sophie growing up, and grandpa getting smaller with age. Grandpa eventually dies, but at the end, this book shows how mourning only lasts for a night... but joy will come... again!

[Japonika Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to have in your classroom if a student is dealing with losing a loved one. This book very sweetly describes the cycle of life in a kid friendly way. It explains that some times we may lose the people we love, but we have to keep on living to the best of our ability and that we will always have memories of our love ones long after they are gone.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

No bologna, this little number had me crying like a babe...in public no less. If you're ever in the need for a picture book that delicately address the circle of life, this is a great choice. Not sappy in the slightest, this book is meant for coping with the loss of a loved one, accepting the sadness it brings, and opening our hearts once again. Highly recommended.

[Roniqua Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is centered around the relationship between a grandfather and his grandaughter. It follows Sophie throughout her life and ends with the death of grandfather, and the birth of her son. The illustrations are very colorful but not realistically drawn. The characters have well developed storylines and personalities. It is a very unique story that will hold the attention of students.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute family children's book that is geared for younger readers-- pre-k or kindergarten. The book follows Sophie as a baby until she grows up, as people in her life pass away and are born. Simple text, but colorful, exaggerated illustrations.

[Natalie Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good realistic fiction book about death and the cycle of life for the younger primary grades. Death can be a touchy, and strange subject for young children. This book can be great to start a discussion on the cycle of life or to try and explain why we lose our grandparents.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about a man young enough to be a grandfather welcoming his granddaughter to the world. they grow older and eventually the granddaughter must say goodbye. and then she welcomes a son into the world.

beautiful, beautiful story

[Katie Sicking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a realistic story for young children about the cycles of human life. It shows the love between a girl and her grandfather and tells how she is sad when he passes away but becomes happy when new life (her own child) comes into the world.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful message - intriging illustrations.

[Jennine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story that depicts the cycle of life. A very sweet story of family love. It would be a good story to read to prompt a discussion about death.

[Kristen Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book about a family cycle. I could see where this could be used to prompt a discussion on death and what happenes.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite artwork. The story does teach about the life cycle and that grand kids and grandparents can have a special and strong relationship.

[Michelle Wade]

This was a really touching story. This book could be used to help children understand someone dying.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the beauty of the circle of life, but this one is a little sad for such a simple book.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in 1989 in Australia.
Striking paintings to accompany Mem Fox's brief text showing the love between a grandfather and his granddaughter.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy the creepy elephantine hands in the illustrations...or seeing Grandpa's corpse in his coffin.

[Marjorie Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and her grandfather loved each other and were best friends. This is the journey from life to death then back to life.

[Jo]

Lib.The circle of life and death is celebrated in Sophie's story about her grandfather.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book freaked me out! What is with those odd hands??