The New York Times Book Review - Pamela Paul
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.
Publishers Weekly
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.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Time-Out for Sophie by Rosemary Wells:
“[A] soon-to-be favorite… Readers will clamor for more of the irrepressible Sophie, while parents will secretly smile—sheer delight.” —Kirkus Reviews, 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
School Library Journal
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
Kirkus Reviews
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)
