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Sophie #2
Sophie's Tom
Sophie is a small, determined girl who is going to be a farmer when she grows up. So she's delighted when, on her fifth birthday (which also happens to be Christmas Day), she gets a model farm and lots of toy animals. What she wants most of all, though, is a real animal - like Tom, for example.
The problem is - how to win over her anti-cat dad!
The problem is - how to win over her anti-cat dad!
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
6 people are currently reading
203 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 12, 2019
It led to an interesting discussion with the kids about 'tomboys' being a silly idea. We couldn't think of a single game, hobby or interest that was either a boy thing or a girl thing... Girls and boys can both climb trees, play football, wear trousers and enjoy getting muddy. Girls and boys can both play with dolls, like ponies, wear pink and paint their nails.
September 4, 2020
Another hit in the Saga of Sophie, the Little Girl with the Goal of (One Day) Becoming a Farmer.
October 28, 2016
That's odd.
I really enjoyed Sophie's Snail, and only a few weeks have passed between the time of that story (summer into autumn) and this one which begins at Christmas, Sophie's fifth birthday. Oddly enough, Sophie starts school at the end of the Christmas vacation, but she lives in the UK, maybe it's different there.
I have to say, though, I didn't find Sophie at all charming in this book. From being a stolid but sensible little girl, she has become selfish and bossy. She "makes friends" with the smallest kid in her class, basically because she can make him do what she wants, and when he doesn't, she gets physical. She ploughs through any resistence to what she wants by anyone--teachers, classmates, parents alike are all objects of her withering scorn as "stupid, silly and sickening." I grew up with a father who disliked cats, and I'm here to tell you, Sophie's way of getting around him would not have worked with a parent! A different illustrator means that the pictures were less lively and endearing, as well.
I can't say I'd want a child I liked to choose Sophie as a role model. But then I've found King-Smith's sequels to be pale shadows of the first ideas.
A disappointment.
Two and a half stars.
I really enjoyed Sophie's Snail, and only a few weeks have passed between the time of that story (summer into autumn) and this one which begins at Christmas, Sophie's fifth birthday. Oddly enough, Sophie starts school at the end of the Christmas vacation, but she lives in the UK, maybe it's different there.
I have to say, though, I didn't find Sophie at all charming in this book. From being a stolid but sensible little girl, she has become selfish and bossy. She "makes friends" with the smallest kid in her class, basically because she can make him do what she wants, and when he doesn't, she gets physical. She ploughs through any resistence to what she wants by anyone--teachers, classmates, parents alike are all objects of her withering scorn as "stupid, silly and sickening." I grew up with a father who disliked cats, and I'm here to tell you, Sophie's way of getting around him would not have worked with a parent! A different illustrator means that the pictures were less lively and endearing, as well.
I can't say I'd want a child I liked to choose Sophie as a role model. But then I've found King-Smith's sequels to be pale shadows of the first ideas.
A disappointment.
Two and a half stars.
September 27, 2019
Sophie’s Tom by Dick King-Smith is my all-time favourite children’s book! As a child who hated reading, I needed a book I could really engage with…this was the one! As a child who loved animals, I could relate to Sophie, an animal-loving 5-year-old who wants to grow up to be a lady farmer. The story is realistic which allowed me to place myself into the different situations Sophie experienced. Each sentence flows easily into the next, allowing for easy reading. The author uses a mixture of sentence types to progress the child’s reading development. Certain phrases are repeated throughout the chapters encouraging children to become more confident with their reading. The chapters are about 7-10 pages long, which is manageable for children transitioning onto chapter books. The pages of words are broken up with occasional illustrations to support the visualisation of the narrative.
I’d suggest this book to key stage 2 children who are starting to read their first chapter book. In addition, I’d recommend this book to children who like animals, or share the same interest as the characters in the book. If children get on well with the book there are continuing books in the story series to maintain engagement and further build confidence and ability in reading.
I’d suggest this book to key stage 2 children who are starting to read their first chapter book. In addition, I’d recommend this book to children who like animals, or share the same interest as the characters in the book. If children get on well with the book there are continuing books in the story series to maintain engagement and further build confidence and ability in reading.
April 25, 2022
Not the best Sophie book, but still lovely.
July 29, 2018
I really enjoyed the book.
August 30, 2021
currently embarking on a re-read of my childhood favourites. this was just as wonderful as i remember
January 15, 2023
I read the Sophie books as a child and they are so wholesome and wonderful, to any parents I highly suggest encouraging your children to read these as they are so cute and cozy.
April 27, 2025
Dick King-Smith is a writer who consistently delivers classic, heartwarming, family- and animal-friendly stories. His Sophie series, in particular, highlights his wonderful sense of humour. Sophie’s Tom is the second book in the series. The main storylines follow Sophie as she starts school and finds a stray cat, whom she later adopts as her pet—despite her family's initial disapproval. Of course, the story ends happily, but not without a few twists along the way. Sophie’s determined actions also lead to some consequences and punishments, making her experiences relatable to young readers.
June 10, 2018
Very good book that I read with my students. It has a very high vocabulary and reading level, but is a good story for younger students. This is good for my high readers who should not be reading middle school themes in 3rd grade.
August 11, 2021
This feels more dated than Sophie's Snail but Sophie is still a good protag and there's a nice reveal at the end.
April 3, 2023
What a beautiful short story I’m loving this series such a classic nothing like this written now can’t wait for next book
April 27, 2024
A reasonable book for 7/8 year olds
October 6, 2024
This is a wonderful story, and is lovely tail. About a girl and her cat
August 5, 2025
Loved it, as I did as a child. Beautiful illustrations and love the 'stocial, plodding' Sophie.
November 13, 2025
4 stars because 'she trained him to whinny' um. That's...Yeah. Otherwise I can't believe how funny and clever this is. SO CUTE!
September 18, 2019
După ce am citit câteva cărți în care părinții răspund perfect, empatizeaza mereu cu cei mici, nu îi ignoră niciodată, răspund mereu în pilde și cu sfaturi bune, am citit Pisica Sofiei.
La început mi s-a părut ciudată (copiilor le-a plăcut), părinții puteau spune nu, Sofia avea voie să nu placă pe cineva, se discuta despre ea așa cum era, fără explicații "de parenting". După primul șoc, discuțiile din carte copii-adulți și copii-copii sunt normale, reale.
La început mi s-a părut ciudată (copiilor le-a plăcut), părinții puteau spune nu, Sofia avea voie să nu placă pe cineva, se discuta despre ea așa cum era, fără explicații "de parenting". După primul șoc, discuțiile din carte copii-adulți și copii-copii sunt normale, reale.
August 14, 2013
Sophie’s Tom by Dick King-Smith – Realistic Fiction, 2nd-3rd grade – Interesting little story that is actually a series. Sophie is an imaginative, persistant little girl who has a difficult time accepting change and making friends. Some children don’t understand her since she likes to keep bugs and is quite fierce. Her persistence includes her certainty that she is going to run a farm when she grows up and that she has a cat named Tom. I thought this story developed well, might be a fun read aloud.
June 7, 2014
I enjoyed reading it and the children (5 &3) enjoyed listening. We read it all in just over an hour this morning.
Sophie is pretty grumpy but (with occasional tweaking in the reading) all that gives good opportunity to reflect on what she is thinking and doing.
Her truth telling along with fierce determination make her a likeable character overall. Even if she does puzzle my daughter ['Daddy, why is Sophie not wearing a dress?' (she is not despite the fact it is her birthday AND Christmas!)].
Sophie is pretty grumpy but (with occasional tweaking in the reading) all that gives good opportunity to reflect on what she is thinking and doing.
Her truth telling along with fierce determination make her a likeable character overall. Even if she does puzzle my daughter ['Daddy, why is Sophie not wearing a dress?' (she is not despite the fact it is her birthday AND Christmas!)].
January 7, 2015
This is the second book of the Sophie series. It was about Sophie where she finds a cat on the street and their parents brings it back home. They take really good care of the cat and names it Tom. I especially like the part when the find the cat and bring it home. My favourite character was Tom because he is very playful. I recommend this book to children 8+
Read
March 2, 2016Once I was introduced to the Sophie series, it was only a matter of time before I had the whole collection. I really enjoyed Sophie's antics - they obviously appealed to me as a young girl of around the same age.
July 30, 2012
The description for this book is incorrect. Oh how I love the Sophie books! I recently bought the whole series at Better World Books because none of our local libraries have them. "Sophie, though small, was very determined."
August 12, 2007
A book that is greatly under appreciated. The audiobook of this is also sublime.
October 19, 2009
tom is cute!
January 5, 2011
very cute!!!
Read
August 7, 2011Good collection of children's books
May 16, 2013
These books definitely stand up to time. I'm enjoying re-reading them.
June 3, 2015
Sophie is one of my favourite Dick King-Smith characters. Sophie's Snail is the first in the series.
May 25, 2017
Love sharing this series with my little girl - they are written well and keep both of us interested and are unable to put it down at bedtime X
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews