Use Your Words, Sophie

Sophie knows lots of words, but she doesn’t always use them.  It’s more fun to speak in hyena talk or space language.  “Use your words, Sophie!” urge her parents, but Sophie just won’t.

But when her new baby sister arrives, Sophie is the only one who can find out what she really wants.  

Use Your Words, Sophie is the third book about the irrepressible two-year old who is wonderful, terrible, and always lovable.

PreS—Two-year-old Sophie uses her own language upon the arrival of "a brand new pink nosed baby." As Mama and Daddy try to settle in with a toddler and a newborn, Sophie rebels in her own way, creating made-up words. Granny is called in to rescue the frazzled parents, and it is Granny, speaking her granddaughter's pretend language, who helps Sophie become the hero, calming her crying sister with Sophie's words. As the story progresses, her parents disagree about the baby's name. "Amber," says her father. "'We decided on Ashleigh,' said Mama." But it's Sophie who knows what the baby wants to be called, and she is named Jane. Wells's colorful artwork features an assortment of patterns and detail, giving the home a cozy, lived-in look, and the facial expressions capture the frustrations of both parents and Sophie, who can be seen grimacing and rolling her eyes. Another winner from Wells.—Gwen Collier, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY

Praise for Use Your Words, Sophie:

"This is Wells at her comedic best, and readers will be left in stitches. Absolutely enchanting—a must-have" —Kirkus, starred review

"Wells remains a master of conveying intense emotions through subtly funny writing, smartly observed situations. . . and emotionally telegraphic art." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Another winner from Wells." —School Library Journal

“This gentle, lightly piquant outing combines authentic humor and recognizable growing pains in a comfortable tale sure to delight young listeners, with or without siblings.” —Booklist

Praise for Sophie's Terrible Twos:

"Wells continues to demonstrate an almost telepathic gift for distilling everyday frustrations and triumphs to their essence." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Wells's beloved illustrations and her characteristic wit are pitch-perfect" —School Library Journal

Praise for Time-Out for Sophie:

“[A] soon-to-be favorite . . . Readers will clamor for more of the irrepressible Sophie, while parents will secretly smile—sheer delight." —Kirkus, starred review

"Wells’s signature artwork is vivid and pleasingly simple, and the characters are endearing." —School Library Journal, starred review

“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.” —Publishers Weekly

“As always, Wells portrays her character’s developmentally appropriate behavior with genuine respect and affection.” —The Horn Book

“Wells captures a rite of passage—the terrible twos—both for the little one and for her exasperated parents.” —Booklist

Rosemary Wells is the author of many books for children, including the Max and Ruby books about the popular bunnies who star in their own show on Nick, Jr. In reviewing Sophie’s Terrible Twos, Publishers Weekly  said: “Wells continues to demonstrate an almost telepathic gift for distilling everyday frustrations and triumphs to their essence.” Visit her at www.rosemarywells.com.