Sophie’s Adventures by Dick King-Smith (2006)
Sophie’s Adventures is a compilation book of the first three stories in the ‘Sophie’ series by Dick King Smith, including ‘Sophie’s Snail’ ‘Sophie’s Tom’ and ‘Sophie Turns Six’. The series was released between 1988 and 1995, and a huge success, after the much loved classic ‘Babe’. This copy was issued in 2006.
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Dick King-Smith only started publishing books later in life, whilst a teacher at Farmborough Primary School. He was born in Bitton, Gloucestershire on 27th March 1922 to Captain Ronald King-Smith who was a heavily decorated military serviceman and who ran a number of paper mills. Dick himself enlisted for the Grenadier Guards during WW2 in 1941, though had to walk away from his commission through disability 5 years later having survived a grenade blast and a cerebral embolism.
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I’ve been slowly collecting Dick King-Smith’s books for my darling @carleycatlover12, and this beautiful lilac cover caught my eye at a carboot sale last month. I really enjoy compilation releases because they feel much more digestible and don’t leave you disappointed after one short story ends. Each of the Sophie books is like a collection of tales in itself - the clever narrative links the chapters, but they can stand alone too and are thoroughly entertaining, documenting the antics of headstrong Sophie and her interactions with the world around her.
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I really loved this book and can see why the series was such a huge success. King-Smith is able to encapsulate the wonderful ability children have to dream big and not let the constraints of society hold them back, and the brutal way in which kids tend to not hide behind politeness and the need to cushion peoples feelings. Sophie is assertive and direct, with a huge heart she only shares with those who treat her right.
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It was lovely to see her kindness and curiosity towards even the smallest of creatures, and I chuckled more times than I can count at her calling people ‘mowldy, stupid and assive’, which is exactly the kind of misheard insult a toddler would throw about. I have to mention the lovely pen illustrations by David Parkins too, who has offered artwork for over fifty children’s books during his career spanning 37 years. His drawings really help to bring Sophie’s world to life.
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The Sophie books are full of great humour and warmth, and I can’t wait to get into the later books in the future.
