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Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth!
Sophie Peterman is here to tell you the truth about babies.
Babies are not sweet.
Babies are not precious.
Babies are not cute.
Babies are...
What, you thought she'd just give it away? Well, here's a
It's not pretty!
Babies are not sweet.
Babies are not precious.
Babies are not cute.
Babies are...
What, you thought she'd just give it away? Well, here's a
It's not pretty!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Weeks
104 books511 followersSarah Weeks has been writing children’s books and songs for the past twenty years. She is a graduate of Hampshire College and NYU and recently became an adjunct faculty member in the prestigious Writing Program at the New School University, in New York City.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
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March 4, 2021I greatly disliked this book, and stopped reading it after a few pages because I didn't want to introduce some of these unkind thoughts to my daughter. I skipped ahead to the end, and sure enough, Sophie does start to like her little brother. Perhaps it would be a good book for a sibling who is struggling to appreciate a younger sibling, but as it is I don't need a book that, for instance, acts like breastfeeding is gross.
September 29, 2016
• Sophie Peterman is here to warn you about having a baby in the family. From the day it is born until the day you, maybe, secretly like it. Sophie tells you true things about babies like: If you try to pick one up beware, they leak. Sophie wants to make sure you make an informed decision when parents ask the question: would you like to have a little brother or sister someday?
• K-2
• I would use this book in an English classroom to talk about the difference between fact and opinion.
• Individual students that should read this book include students with a baby sibling on the way, or a student that is already an older sibling.
• Groups could use this book during a literature circle in combination with other books about having a baby sibling. The group could compare and contrast the books then come to a decision based on the books they read: is it a good idea to have a baby sibling?
• The whole class could use this book to discuss the difference between facts and opinions. Students should point out facts in the book and opinions in the book. Does this book have more facts or more opinions?
• If the student enjoys this book they should check out “There’s a House Inside My Mummy” by Giles Andreae.
• This book is also available as an ebook.
• K-2
• I would use this book in an English classroom to talk about the difference between fact and opinion.
• Individual students that should read this book include students with a baby sibling on the way, or a student that is already an older sibling.
• Groups could use this book during a literature circle in combination with other books about having a baby sibling. The group could compare and contrast the books then come to a decision based on the books they read: is it a good idea to have a baby sibling?
• The whole class could use this book to discuss the difference between facts and opinions. Students should point out facts in the book and opinions in the book. Does this book have more facts or more opinions?
• If the student enjoys this book they should check out “There’s a House Inside My Mummy” by Giles Andreae.
• This book is also available as an ebook.
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February 20, 2021I was disappointed. I was expecting a good story that I could use for teaching in my character ed curriculum...about honesty and telling the truth. This title is misleading. Sophie tells the "truth" about having a new baby in the house whom she does not like at the beginning and makes it clear. Can be confusing for most picture book children and will need a lot of explaining and support added from the adult reading it aloud.
December 12, 2009
Such a cute book. Great for older siblings, who need a book that can reflect how they fell sometimes. When she compares her baby brother to a pirate because he gets in your stuff and you can't understand him, perfect! Like all books about adjusting to siblings this one has the older sibling liking her younger sib, how could she not when he loves her so much.
August 11, 2016
I get what the author tried to do here but I think she missed the mark. Especially the part where Sophie proclaims that breastfeeding is gross. This may be what some children think as it is certainly what a lot of adults think. But this is an idea that should be discouraged not made into a joke.
September 20, 2015
This book was so funny to me. I cracked up laughing in several places. The ending was priceless.
March 1, 2021
When I first started reading this book, I assumed it would get better. But it doesn't. It basically talks about many negative traits about babies. And the premise the girl has at first - you don't want babies - she keeps through to the end. The girl is selfish. The book is selfish. The world is definitely getting less friendly towards children. I happen to value children and the gifts they bring to each family. With so many other good books to read, I wouldn't bother picking this one up.
June 30, 2017
"My name is Sophie Peterman, and I am here to tell you the truth!"
Babies are your worst nightmare! And when they learn to walk, they become monsters. But watch out! Because when they start calling you sweet sounding names and missing you while you're at school, you might actually start liking them! YIKES!
Babies are your worst nightmare! And when they learn to walk, they become monsters. But watch out! Because when they start calling you sweet sounding names and missing you while you're at school, you might actually start liking them! YIKES!
July 12, 2018
For kids who have younger siblings or are around younger kids.
September 3, 2018
A young girl tells the reader the truth of the horrors of having a baby brother or sister. Cute story.
December 9, 2019
Super cute book about the annoying and adorable things a baby can do from the perspective of an older sibling.
November 7, 2023
My son really enjoyed this book, therefore 5 stars!!
April 10, 2024
An elementary and up sarcastic book about a girl getting a new sibling and the difficulty associated with it.
March 15, 2012
Reader, beware! There is stuff about smelly babies in this book. Sophie Peterman is very frank about what happens when her little brother comes home to stay, and she warns her audience in no uncertain terms not to be taken in as she was! Younger siblings are pirates, and they are monstrous. They do things you can't imagine, that you can't stand, and sometimes you get in trouble just for defending yourself! Plus, a little brother might eat your favorite marble. Which you will never, ever want to use again once you get it back...
Combining whimsical ideas with situations which seemed altogether too real to some students, Sarah Weeks has created a book which is easy to relate to, while Robert Neubecker's thick line drawings and bright colors enhance the mood. In the end, Sophie comes around to idea of a younger sibling, and students decided that she was being both principled and open-minded in the way she shared her ideas and accepted her little brother. Be prepared for a surprise ending. This is a great book choice for anyone welcoming a new baby into the family; best for kindergarten to second grade, though the humor was much appreciated by older students as well.
Combining whimsical ideas with situations which seemed altogether too real to some students, Sarah Weeks has created a book which is easy to relate to, while Robert Neubecker's thick line drawings and bright colors enhance the mood. In the end, Sophie comes around to idea of a younger sibling, and students decided that she was being both principled and open-minded in the way she shared her ideas and accepted her little brother. Be prepared for a surprise ending. This is a great book choice for anyone welcoming a new baby into the family; best for kindergarten to second grade, though the humor was much appreciated by older students as well.
August 7, 2010
The idea of this book is funny, because I can relate a little and I know some kids in storytimes (especially the K-5 one) could relate a lot. And the older group would probably enjoy some of the things mentioned, too. (The whole bathroom humor thing, literally.) I'm just not absolutely sure how well the children would leave the book. It's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek (though serious in its relatableness), but will the kids get that or will they just agree to dislike their stinky, whiny, get-all-the-attention younger siblings? I suppose they have to be old enough to get it. So I could try in in the K-5 storytime, but I'd have to have some strong theme to make it work.
8/5/10 This went well. I had a "last-minute" daycare group add to the numbers, and some in the group were a little immature in handling some of the bathroom humor. But they got the humor, including the ending, and it was a great lead-in for a mini-activity of talking about our own siblings. Shocked them all when they found out how many I have. :-) (I love doing that.)
8/5/10 This went well. I had a "last-minute" daycare group add to the numbers, and some in the group were a little immature in handling some of the bathroom humor. But they got the humor, including the ending, and it was a great lead-in for a mini-activity of talking about our own siblings. Shocked them all when they found out how many I have. :-) (I love doing that.)
December 16, 2011
Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth! by Sarah Weeks is all about the difficulties of being an older sibling. Sophie is here to set the record straight about the lies parents tell their children about the new baby. It reads like an update to Martha Alexander's Nobody Asked Me if I Wanted a Baby Sister (link to review)
Sophie goes through step by step all the ways babies are impossible, alien, annoying additions to the family. They aren't cute, they can't do anything, they're noisy, they're stinky and so forth.
What Sophie doesn't realize at first is that babies don't stay babies for very long. In fact they change and learn pretty quickly. As they learn they become more interesting. The book takes a charming turn as Sophie's opinion of her brother softens.
When I read this book to my two, I expected my son to relate to the book most as he's the oldest. I was wrong. It was my daughter who found the book hilarious. For every one of Sophie's examples, she wanted to know how she and Sean were like as babies.
Sophie goes through step by step all the ways babies are impossible, alien, annoying additions to the family. They aren't cute, they can't do anything, they're noisy, they're stinky and so forth.
What Sophie doesn't realize at first is that babies don't stay babies for very long. In fact they change and learn pretty quickly. As they learn they become more interesting. The book takes a charming turn as Sophie's opinion of her brother softens.
When I read this book to my two, I expected my son to relate to the book most as he's the oldest. I was wrong. It was my daughter who found the book hilarious. For every one of Sophie's examples, she wanted to know how she and Sean were like as babies.
August 18, 2011
This is a very cute book about "welcoming" a new baby into the house, but the humor would probably not appeal to everyone, so I think parents should preview it before reading it to a child. The truth about babies, says Sophie Peterman, is that they are not sweet, not precious, and not cute. At first they look like little aliens, then when they start to crawl they are like little pirates, and when they start to walk they are little monsters. Sophie has lots of negative feelings that big siblings will identify with, but perhaps you can guess what happens toward the end. I really did like the book and the illustrations are great, conveying the aggravations and the joys of being a big sister.
February 8, 2016
In this story it is Sophie 19s mission to inform her readers about the truth she has discovered about babies once her parents brought home her baby brother. Throughout the story she explains all the frustrating situations created by little siblings, and towards the end warns her readers of the signs of that sibling becoming very cute and lovable.
Sarah Weeks comically describes the common feelings older siblings may experience once a baby is brought home. With comedic relief and colorful, accurate illustrations by Robert Neubecker depicting the text, this book may be comforting to children when they realize they aren 19t alone.
Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
Classroom uses: art, dramatic play, read-aloud
Sarah Weeks comically describes the common feelings older siblings may experience once a baby is brought home. With comedic relief and colorful, accurate illustrations by Robert Neubecker depicting the text, this book may be comforting to children when they realize they aren 19t alone.
Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
Classroom uses: art, dramatic play, read-aloud
March 4, 2010
This is the funniest children's book that I've read in a very long time. It's about a little girl whose parents just brought home a new baby. Everything that her parents told her about this baby was a total lie.... It is not cute... It looks like a Martian... If you try to sell it... No one will buy it...If a parent is looking for a book to introduce a new sibling into the family, this is the perfect one. P.S. I gave it to my 6 year old nephew who has twin baby brothers and whose mother is expecting a girl in March. He brought it to school for his whole first grade class to enjoy.
April 15, 2010
Sophie Peterman just became a big sister and she is not happy about it. She wants to tell the truth about new little brothers and sisters (they're monsters).
Potential Audience: Grades 1-3
Genre: Picture book, humor, fiction
Curricular Use: Read-aloud
Social Issues: Getting a new sibling, brothers/sisters, family
Literary Elements: Hyperbole, First-person POV, child's perspective, humor, sarcasm, simile
Image: Colorful illustrations by Robert Neubecker.
Weeks, Sarah. Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth. New York: Beach Lane Books, 2009.
Potential Audience: Grades 1-3
Genre: Picture book, humor, fiction
Curricular Use: Read-aloud
Social Issues: Getting a new sibling, brothers/sisters, family
Literary Elements: Hyperbole, First-person POV, child's perspective, humor, sarcasm, simile
Image: Colorful illustrations by Robert Neubecker.
Weeks, Sarah. Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth. New York: Beach Lane Books, 2009.
April 18, 2012
I thought the book was absolutely hysterical, so did the kids, ages 6, 6 & 4...our 2 year old laughed because we all were laughing! Despite what others may say, all 3 of the girls understood the book & related to it in many ways.....and they absolutely ADORE each other, and adore their baby sister who just turned 1.
As long as parents read it with their kids and they can laugh & relate, I think it's fantastic that someone DID tell the truth about what kids may be thinking inside, and this brings it "outside" where they can relate and then giggle about it! KUDOS to this book!
As long as parents read it with their kids and they can laugh & relate, I think it's fantastic that someone DID tell the truth about what kids may be thinking inside, and this brings it "outside" where they can relate and then giggle about it! KUDOS to this book!
March 6, 2014
As an older sister to four younger siblings, I can appreciate Sophie's candor and frustration with the little monster who has invaded her life. Of course, I can also relate to how much she loves this little monster by the end of the book--because until I have my own children one day, those little siblings of mine are the people who have embedded themselves most deeply into my heart. As monstrous as little siblings can be, there is a certain something that touches you when you realize that they think you hung the freakin' moon.
Also, this book was really funny. Loved the pictures.
Also, this book was really funny. Loved the pictures.
December 16, 2009
DO NOT give this to that very pregnant mom with the 2 year old in tow.
DO NOT give this to that very harried looking mom with the 3 year old and the infant.
For that matter, DO NOT give it to any child expecting a sibling who is expressing any negativity in the matter.This is funny. But it is NOT bibliotherapy--not by a long shot.
On the other hand. Bibliotherapy is a crock. How WOULD you feel if your spouse brought home a new wife/husband and expected YOU to accept it?
DO NOT give this to that very harried looking mom with the 3 year old and the infant.
For that matter, DO NOT give it to any child expecting a sibling who is expressing any negativity in the matter.This is funny. But it is NOT bibliotherapy--not by a long shot.
On the other hand. Bibliotherapy is a crock. How WOULD you feel if your spouse brought home a new wife/husband and expected YOU to accept it?
August 3, 2010
Sophie Peterman tells the truth about BABIES. They are awful creatures with no good qualities, and she tells you all sorts of true and nasty things from their dreadful food to the fact that no one ever sleeps or plays with you once they show up. And if you finally grow to like one of them, it will just encourage the adults to have more. As the oldest of 7 kids, I can verify that Sophie is telling the truth here. Very funny and great illustrations.
January 23, 2013
I loved this book! A perfect book for a child who is going through having a new baby in the house. I loved the character's smart remarks and "checklist things you should know". The illustrations in the book are also adorable (especially the picture of Sophie holding the baby when it "leaked". I would definitely recommend this book to a parent who is expecting another child and wants to ease their at home little one into the process.
March 31, 2016
I didn't know what this book was about when I got it at the library, but it was actually a fun book to get because I'm pregnant with my fourth. My oldest is 6, and loves babies and her little siblings, so even though this book could be read in kind of a negative way, we just had fun with it and joked about how babies and little siblings are. My 4 year old probably wouldn't get it as much. But, my 6yo thought it was funny and we had fun reading it together.
July 8, 2013
A great book for children who have younger siblings. My daughter could relate this to her experiences with her younger sister and asked me to read it to her twice and her and her father n additional time. She is four and was able to understand the book's humor as well as to appreciate its message: although younger siblings can be a nuisance, we bond with grow to love them indelibly.
August 28, 2013
From the title, I expected some cautionary tale about a child who lies. It isn't that at all. It is a fun book, being told from the perspective of the big sister of all the "truth" they don't tell you about having a new little brother around the house. E.g. they stink, they are noisy, they get into things etc.
September 6, 2014
My kids grabbed this book from the library & we read it for the first time tonight. It's been a long day, so I'm a little slap happy, but I'm telling you this book is hilarious! My five year old and I were nearly rolling on the floor we were laughing so hard. If you have an older child who has survived or is now enduring the babyhood of a younger sibling you will both enjoy this very much!
June 8, 2011
Absolutely adorable! It made me think of how I felt when my little sister was born (and how I still kind of feel around babies). I think many of my students will be able to relate to Sophie, and older children and adults who read this book will find it to be laugh-out-loud funny!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews