Review by New York Times Review
Why is throwing things so much fun? Even 2-year-olds like to do iL But when Sophie, a well-meaning mouse, elects to hurl food at the dinner table and to fling freshly folded laundry around the house, despite repeated entreaties to the contrary, it becomes an issue. Wells understands the toddler's contradictory urges to please and to thwart, and tells her story in a 2-year-old's straightforward declarative style. Sophie's bemused (but not necessarily bested) facial expression during the special purgatory that is "timeout" is priceless. BELLA'S RULES By Elissa Haden Guest. Illustrated by Abigail Halpin. 32 pp. Dial. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 5) Children enjoy making rules; children enjoy breaking rules. Bella finds born a lot of fun - as long as she's in charge. However, the vivacious Bella, drawn with affection and humor by Halpin (who also illustrates several middle-grade series), has her own idea of what's appropriate - candy for breakfast, no washing your hair ever, no such thing as bedtime - that doesn't jibe with that of her parents. Here is an impish heroine who will win over children, and once a new puppy teaches her the value of doing what she's told (within reason), parents will be disarmed as well. NO FITS, NILSON! Written and illustrated by Zachariah OHora. 32 pp. Dial. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 5) Small children have been known to throw tantrums at the slightest provocation. Apparently, turquoise gorillas are equally susceptible. While Amelia likes to do everything with her oversize friend, she knows that sometimes "all it takes is a tiny bump . . . and Nilson throws the biggest, most house shaking-est fit ever!!" And wouldn't you know? They both get a timeout. Amelia, a black-bobbed cutie in a red jumper, soon learns to head off these occasions with a repeated warning. "'No fits, Nilson!' she'll say." She uses all the recognizable tricks: diversion, enticement, encouragement. These things work, and so does this charmingly original take on an evergreen concern. ANTON AND THE BATTLE Written and illustrated by Ole Konnecke. 32 pp. Gecko Press. $18.95. (Picture book; ages 3 to 6) Warmongers everywhere understand that opponents often unite in the face of a common enemy. Thus, little Anton, after engaging his nemesis, Luke, in a round of competitive one-upmanship ("I can lift a stone this big!" "I can lift a stone THIS big!"), forgets their rivalry when menaced by "a big dog." (He's actually an adorable yapping puppy.) This is the third book about Musketeer-hatted Anton (known as Anthony in the first translation of this European import), and the hero is as relatable and appealing as ever. Neither boy can declare victory, but the book is a winner. HOW TO NEGOTIATE EVERYTHING By David Spellman with Lisa Lutz. Illustrated by Jaime Temairik. 32 pp. Simon & Schuster. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Negotiation between parent and offspring may be out of fashion with child development experts, but don't tell that to parents in the midst of a chicken-nugget-vs.-spinach showdown. Fashioned as a motivational manual ("Have you ever wanted something and didn't get it?" "We feel your pain"), this humorous book shows children how to turn the tables in their favor. "There are very few things in life that you can't get if you ask for them in a rational manner and offer something in return. That's called 'negotiating.'" Watch they don't learn too well. PAMELA PAUL ONLINE A slide show of this week's illustrated books at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [May 26, 2013]
Review by Booklist Review
Uh-oh. Sophie needs a time-out. When Mama tells Sophie not once but twice to keep her supper on the table and she chucks it twice onto the floor that's strike one. When Sophie helps Daddy with the laundry by pushing it on the floor, well, that's strike two. But when patient Grandma comes over, Sophie finally listens, earning a Good Sophie! (Of course Sophie gets the last laugh on the final spread.) Wells, who gave the world Max and Ruby, introduces a pint-size mouse with a glint in her eye. Sophie is reckless; she is cavalier in other words, she is totally two. The lovely mixed-media and watercolor illustrations are, for the most part, framed and set on pastel-colored backgrounds, and on occasion, things like flying mac 'n' cheese or a renegade sock break the frame. Some of the best scenes, though, are full-bleed shots of Sophie, a wide-eyed gal in a yellow frock, sitting in time-out. Once again Wells captures a rite of passage the terrible twos both for the little one and for her exasperated parents.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Watch out, Max and Ruby. Wells's new anthropomorphic heroine, Sophie, is a two-year-old rodent with mischief in her eyes and an inability to stay out of trouble. After getting sent to time-out for unnecessary roughness during dinner with Mama (a mac and cheese dinner ends up on the floor twice) and upsetting the laundry Daddy has folded (also twice), Sophie comes up against a master: Granny. Instead of giving Sophie a time-out for repeated eyeglasses-snatching, Granny gives herself one, moving from the sofa to the rocking chair, where she sits implacably, arms folded. Wells's always sunny drawings get an extra punch from collaged pieces of brightly patterned fabrics, and her characters' facial expressions have plenty to say about parental patience and wild toddler abandon. As wise (and concise) as ever, Wells lets readers have guilt-free fun savoring Sophie's naughtiness, but delivers the story's aha moment with an equally deft hand. Good behavior isn't really about obeisance to the rules, readers will gather. It's about understanding what makes us pleasant to be around. Ages 2-up. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-When Mama gives her young mouse a bowl of macaroni and cheese, the toddler tosses it on the floor. Sophie repeats the behavior with a second serving, earning a time-out. Then, while "helping" Daddy with the laundry, she throws the basket of folded clothing on the floor twice for another time-out. But when she grabs the glasses off Granny's nose, the elderly mouse stops reading to Sophie and takes a time-out for herself with her eyes closed. Sophie gets the message, returns the spectacles, and is rewarded with a cozy read on the sofa. The last page shows her in the bathtub, creating more mischief, in typical toddler fashion. As in her "Max and Ruby" (Viking) and "Yoko" (Hyperion) books, Wells's signature artwork is vivid and pleasingly simple, and the characters are endearing. Reminiscent of Noisy Nora (Dial, 1973), this is a charming addition.-Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Little mouse Sophie is having a busy evening. When Mama tells her, "No throwing supper," does Sophie behave? Of course not. She dumps a second bowl of mac and cheese (homemade!), so her mother puts her in a time-out. Next Sophie "helps" Daddy by pushing his neatly folded laundry onto the floor. Daddy gives her another chance, but like any self-respecting toddler, she can't resist a pile of clothes. "Time-out for Sophie!" Like-minded preschoolers will find an ally in this spirited mouse-child, who revels in her gleeful transgressions. Most of the action takes place within cozy, colorful borders, but after the grownups reprimand Sophie, the comforting frame is stripped away and Sophie appears small and powerless. Young listeners, who understand small and powerless all too well, can empathize with Sophie's distress from a safe distance. The narrative pattern is disrupted when Sophie grabs Granny's glasses for the third time in a row and Granny wisely gives herself a time-out. This reversal proves unsettling enough to set Sophie straightfor the time being. As always, Wells portrays her character's developmentally appropriate behavior with genuine respect and affection; the way in which the adults calmly express their frustration offers a gentle (unobtrusive) message to those dealing with their own Sophies. kitty flynn (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Little Sophie gleefully makes mischief until Granny cleverly responds in this soon-to-be favorite about the joys of raising (and being) a toddler. Sophie greets readers on the title page, a bibbed mouse awaiting a meal. With this seemingly innocuous image, Wells makes readers Sophie's accomplices--the bib suggests innocence, while her impish expression forebodes trouble of the hilarious kind. Tonight, Sophie happily throws her dinner on the floor. Gently but firmly, Mama chides her and makes more. The throwing becomes exuberant, and it's time-out for Sophie. Daddy fares no better when his adorable daughter wants to help with laundry. Folded clothes are tipped; on the second try they're flying, leading to another time-out. But when Sophie asks for a book and then takes Grandma's glasses repeatedly, it's Granny who goes into time-out. With the tables turned on the puckish toddler, Sophie re-evaluates. Wells' signature mixed-media illustrations are at their best: playful, fresh, deceptively simple yet intricately rendered and absolutely revealing. A bespectacled Sophie's self-satisfaction while Granny extends a gentle and patient hand; the loving tenderness Sophie shows when placing the glasses on Granny's nose; the cuddly deliciousness of the two reading together--all affirm Wells' skill at depicting family relationships and their attendant challenges and joys. Readers will clamor for more of the irrepressible Sophie, while parents will secretly smile--sheer delight. (Picture book. 2-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
