Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A family lovingly adopts a dog with much preparation in this cheerful tale that's full of helpful hints for aspiring dog owners. When Sophie first arrives from the animal shelter she finds a home equipped with everything she needs: a bed, food, toys, collar—and most of all, kind, patient people. Together they teach Sophie commands, walk, bathe, and play with her, and ultimately earn her trust. The astute 4-year-old narrator affectionately notes Sophie's mischievous side, as the pooch digs holes and innocently snatches sausages from the dinner table. Readers will fall for Sophie's sweet antics while absorbing useful canine information. Playful illustrations fluidly communicate various situations and the accompanying emotions of Sophie and her dark-haired, light-skinned family. Done in mixed media, Rubbino's drawings are spontaneous and full of energy. He masterfully creates a pleasing and entertaining visual narrative to accompany a story that largely presents factual information. Complete with an index and recommended reading, McCardie's text successfully twines fiction with nonfiction. Three cheers for Sophie! Perfect fuel for dog lovers' fires. (Picture book. 3-7)

ALA Booklist (Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

McCardie narrates a story from her own childhood in this engaging nonfiction picture book. Amanda is four years old when her parents bring Sophie home from an animal shelter, and they made sure they were prepared for their new companion, with "a cozy bed and blankets, bowls for food and water, a toy to sleep with and one to chew, a ball, a leash, and a collar." Teaching commands and going out for walks are just a few of the many daily activities needed to keep Sophie healthy and happy. Even though Sophie sometimes gets in trouble, Amanda and her folks are surprised when Sophie gets interested in a dog show. Rubbino's lively multimedia illustrations in bright colors and expressionistic strokes nicely capture the playful atmosphere of McCardie's genial, straightforward text. Factual dog tips in smaller print run alongside the main text, and additional info about dog care and behaviors reinforce the book's focus. Little ones looking for helpful pointers about dog ownership will be well served by this breezy take.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A family lovingly adopts a dog with much preparation in this cheerful tale that's full of helpful hints for aspiring dog owners. When Sophie first arrives from the animal shelter she finds a home equipped with everything she needs: a bed, food, toys, collar—and most of all, kind, patient people. Together they teach Sophie commands, walk, bathe, and play with her, and ultimately earn her trust. The astute 4-year-old narrator affectionately notes Sophie's mischievous side, as the pooch digs holes and innocently snatches sausages from the dinner table. Readers will fall for Sophie's sweet antics while absorbing useful canine information. Playful illustrations fluidly communicate various situations and the accompanying emotions of Sophie and her dark-haired, light-skinned family. Done in mixed media, Rubbino's drawings are spontaneous and full of energy. He masterfully creates a pleasing and entertaining visual narrative to accompany a story that largely presents factual information. Complete with an index and recommended reading, McCardie's text successfully twines fiction with nonfiction. Three cheers for Sophie! Perfect fuel for dog lovers' fires. (Picture book. 3-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In calm, authoritative narration, a girl describes how her family-s new dog, Sophie, acclimated to her new home after being adopted. Her observations about common dog behaviors (-Sophie never minded getting dirty. One day, she splashed through every puddle in the park, then shook out her fur to get dry-) will be familiar to many readers with dogs, and assorted tips and facts, scattered across the pages, echo the girl-s comments (-Shaking is a highly efficient way for a dog to get dry-much quicker than a towel!-). Rubbino-s loose, smudgy, mixed-media art calls to mind finger painting, warmly capturing the activity-and occasional chaos-of life with a dog. Families in the early stages of bringing a dog into their lives should find this a reassuring guide to understanding their new pet. Ages 3-7. (Jan.)

School Library Journal (Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

PreS-Gr 3 After living in an animal shelter, Sophie the dog now has a home of her very own. The members of her new family have done their research and are very well prepared for her arrival. They have provided food, bedding, toys, and items to keep Sophie safe, such as a leash, collar, and name tag. Sophie is tentative at first but soon learns the routine of the family and even a few commands. Things are not always perfect, but there is plenty of love and forgiveness in her new home, and lots of fun, too. This title is chock-full of information for new and prospective dog owners. In addition to the main story line, there are also tips in an italicized font on each page for raising a dog and creating a healthy environment for it. Topics range from bathing and grooming to proper dog park etiquette. The illustrations, rendered in mixed media, are colorful and fun, with an added touch of whimsy. The endpapers are covered with canines of a variety of breeds, and readers will enjoy seeing how many they can identify, even though the breed names are not listed. VERDICT Ideal as a conversation starter for families contemplating adopting a dog, this will also serve as a handbook for the very young in the early stages of welcoming a furry addition to the family. Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE