Sophie Hits Six (BBC Audio)

Dick 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 wrote mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoyed 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 are Babe: The Gallant Pig, which was made into a major motion picture and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Gr. 2-4. King-Smith has a gift for creating memorable characters, whether animal or human, and Sophie is no exception. She is a sturdy, serious, determined five-year-old, whose stated ambition is to be a "lady farmer" and who goes about preparing for her career with a single-mindedness that many an adult might envy. She takes good care of her pets, a cat and a rabbit, cultivates the friendship of Andrew because he lives on a farm, and feels about agriculture shows the way most five-year-olds feel about carnivals. The plot deals with believable, everyday events in Sophie's life. For example, pragmatic Sophie decides that since she has to participate in field-day events, she may as well win one and has the sense to go to her superathletic brothers for advice. When carefully rehearsed Plan A comes a cropper, she returns to her twin coaches for Plan B, follows their advice carefully, and carries the day. Parkins' engaging pen-and-ink drawings show a stalwart, often mussed little girl and her world filled with action, animals, and people. This is a delightful book to help bridge the gap between picture books and longer fiction. Sheilamae O'Hara