Sofia's Stoop Story: 18th Street, Brooklyn

by Maria Laplaca Bohrer, Lou Fancher (Illustrator), Steve Johnson (Illustrator)

On a stoop in Brooklyn, in the 1960s, Uncle Frankie begins telling Sofia and her cousins a story about the day he met Brooklyn Dodgers baseball player, Carl Furillo. Meanwhile, Sofia's Nana is next door, preparing the Italian family's Sunday dinner. Nana sends Sofia on errands to buy cheese, bread, and cannoli. Sofia returns to the stoop, only to discover that Uncle Frankie's story is over, and it's time to eat. When Uncle Frankie realizes Sofia is upset because she only heard bits and pieces of his story, he shares his historic tale from beginning to end, and he gives her a keepsake that he's saved since 1947. Maria LaPlaca Bohrer's story reveals the 1960s, Brooklyn landscape through her own memories of Sunday dialogues with her Nana, her Uncle Frankie, and local merchants. She explores the warmth and consistency of intergenerational relationships in a typical, Italian-American family.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Margaret Garone · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard about this children's book, I was excited. A book about Brooklyn! But it was more than that. After I heard Maria Laplaca Bohrer speak in Barnes & Noble about how and why her book was written, I thought of the children I could give it to as gifts. Hey, I'm a Brooklyn transplant. I want my pint sized loved ones who live out-of-state to know the true purpose of a stoop! So I bought a few copies to give away as gifts. And when I read it in it's entirety afterwards, I LOVED it, because we never outgrow a "children's" book that reminds us of what's important in this life. I was also touched by the surprise the author placed in the back of the book! (Her Grandmother's meatball recipe.)

[Joe Mancuso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shared this book with my 4th grade class and they loved it. They actually made me read it twice!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story with beautiful illustrations.

[Aakriti D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a story based on an inspiration from author Maria Laplaca Bohrer’s own childhood weekends spent in Brooklyn with her 18 cousins. Her grand parents too lived next to uncle Frankie’s just like Sofia’s the main character of this story who grew up in Brooklyn in 1960’s. Every Sunday night she along with her cousins would sit on the front stoop of her Nana’s house to listen to Uncle Frankie’s stories.

One day while listening to Uncle Frankie’s story , Sofia was multiple times asked by nana to go to the shop to buy some supplies to make meat-a-ball super. Sofia misses Uncle Frankie’s story on her return and gets upset but then her dear Uncle Frankie especially repeats the entire story to her and She feels happy then after.

I have not only read this story twice as I liked the story and it’s illustrations very much but I also followed author Maria Laplaca Bohrer on YOUTUBE and heard her story telling. She is such a great story teller that I would like to recommend not only her book but also ask readers to listen to her story on Youtube. She has narrated it with the help of some props, exchanged gender voices and English and Italian accent. It’s just too entertaining.

Sharing her YouTube link.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FOrcoxn...

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated story! Maria Laplaca Bohrer's story evoked my own warm memories of weekly visits to my Italian grandparents in Brooklyn. MLB is a wonderful story teller who captures her audience immediately. Having spent 34 years as a classroom teacher, I know the value of a great story and mentor text to teach writing traits. This story can be read and then revisited many times over to model writing. The idea of taking a small moment in time and creating a story around it is alive in MLB's book. Her use of dialogue and interesting words such as "devour" instead of eat can make up other lessons. Children often times have difficulty ending their stories, so the idea that she ends the story with a reminder of Uncle Frankie's " aluminum chair"from the beginning is a gift to young writers. A good writing teacher will choose mentor text that "show" instead of tell. We see this in the story, and it is especially evident when Sofia is waiting at Angelini's for the grating cheese. This is a story that elementary children will love to read and hear again and again. Bravo, Maria!

[Edward Lambese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Laplaca Bohrer has brilliantly captured the essence of a time that when reading this book all can feel and connect with. Those that grew up in Brooklyn as I did, will feel especially connected to this book. It is an absolute delight, and a story that should be shared with children and adult alike. As they say that "Child" lives on in all of us, even as adults the "Child" is still there. Reading this book brings that "Child" in you center stage again. It makes you reflect on the way you looked at life as a child. This is a story that you will enjoy reading over and over again. I believe it is one of the new "Classic Story Books". Love it, and if I could, I would give it 10 Stars. Thank you Maria! God Bless you!!!

[Kathy Goess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written children's book, with beautiful illustrations. As a first grade teacher, I read this book to my students and they were engaged and excited to hear the story.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about an Italian family who gathers on their stoops in Brooklyn on Sundays before a family meal. This depicts the close relationship between Sofia, the main character and her grandmother, uncle, and cousins. They could be considered Italian stereotypes except the author's note indicates that this story is somewhat autobiographical. The family stories and the author's plea to collect one's family stories could make this engaging for students, but there isn't a whole lot of story to this one--the focus is on the family relationships. The illustrations are great-- I enjoyed the newspaper clippings along the side of the page where the uncle tells his story of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The author's note is important to understand the story and characters, and the inclusion of Nana's meatball recipe at the end is nice too. There is somewhat of a connection to social studies, again through the author's note of collecting family stories of the past. This could be used to kick off a family history unit/lesson.

2/3

[Jamie Bills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of heart. When I read it, it made me think fondly of my Sunday night family traditions as a child.

Sophia, grew up in Brooklyn in the 1960’s. On Sunday nights, She would gather with her cousins on the front stoop to listen to Uncle Frankie tell stories, while her Nana prepared Sunday dinner next door.

While Sophia is listening to Uncle Frankie, her Nana keeps sending her on errands to local shops to gather supplies for her meatball dinner. Sophia is afraid she is going to miss the end of the story.

Sophia’s exchanges with both the store merchants and her Nana are endearing.

Also, for any baseball fans out there, Uncle Frankie shares a personal experience of meeting Carl Furillo.

Awarded a Teacher’s Choice Award in 2015, I highly recommend this story.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Sophia's Stoop Story! My daughter has asked to read it numerous times since we first got the book. She LOVES the story about the little girl and she really enjoys the dialogue between the characters. The story is heartwarming and touching.  A great book for all ages!

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to listen to the author read this aloud today and it was definitely a nice story. Glad I got to hear it.

[Jeannette Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sofia's Stoop Story! Right away the reader is hooked into this book. The illustrations are colorful and detailed and immediately engage the reader. The characters in the story are lovable and real, especially little Sofia. The dialogue is authentic and special. The grandmother is clearly from Italy and the incorporation of the Italian dialogue makes the reading real and has a humorous feel.

For many readers, there will be an immediate connection about the importance of telling stories to a younger generation. There may be some readers that may not have a family that makes it a family ritual to tell stories, however, I think many will want to start that ritual with their own family to foster the closeness this family clearly has.

This is a great read to share with any child in any setting. I think it is meant to be shared with the entire family as well.