Sophie: Wags to Wishes

Sophie: A Graphic Novel #3

by Brian Anderson

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Praised as “reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes” by Kirkus Reviews, and “the perfect mix of heart, humor, and hilarity” by Big Nate creator Lincoln Peirce, this comic strip-turned-graphic-novel series hits the sweet spot for both kids and any pet-obsessed grownups.

Wags to Wishes, Book 3 of this middle-grade graphic novel series starring Sophie the chocolate lab, pokes gently at family power structures. Still reeling from all the new additions to her family (a human baby along with various stray dogs and cats), Sophie decides that – as the alpha – it is up to her to protect them all. And so she tries . . . from an island of temptation made entirely of desserts, to an army of discarded chew toys seeking revenge for lost squeakers, to the cats’ unending pursuit to rule humanity, Sophie’s adventures are epic, fun, and funny.

Genres: Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Brian Anderson is the creator of the upcoming graphic novels and animated series “Sophie”, based on his syndicated comic, “Dog eat Doug”.

He is also the author of The Conjurers trilogy (Rise of the Shadow, Hunt for the Lost, and Fight of the Fallen) as well as the picture books Nighty Night, Sleepy Sleeps; The Prince’s New Pet; and Monster Chefs. He lives in North Carolina with his family, which includes a herd of rescued dogs and cats.

Visit www.brianandersonwriter.com for free books.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Sophie: Wags to Wishes Volume 3 is a fun, lighthearted graphic novel for children and adults about Sophie the dog and her wacky adventures with her human baby brother Doug. Their escapades take them through many different settings and adventures such as superheros, candy kingdom, pirates, Edgar Allen Poe, and many more.
I enjoyed that there's humour within this book for both adults and children (much like a Disney film). The graphics are cute and entertaining, and the book brings much fun, lessons to learn, and a cute bond between dog and child.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a wonderful graphic novel aimed at younger readers following the adventures of two dogs and a baby through all manner of adventures and genres including candy kingdoms, pirates, Edgar Allen Poe, superheroes, a genuinely horrifying carnival, and more.

There's elements of Calvin and Hobbs, Animaniacs, and Adventure Time in the amusing and illuminating adventures.

Thoroughly entertaining!

[Bexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in this hilarious, fun graphic novel series about Sophie the Dog and her antics with her human brother Doug. We start with Sophie asserting her alphaness over Annie, and Annie kindly letting her. With many adult film and literature references, including Edgar Allen Poe and Ray Bradbury, this is entertaining for both children and adults. Sophie doesn't learn a lot of lessons, but she is clearly cared for and clear cares for her family. Annie is eager to find a forever home, but she's also willing to keep an eye on Sophie and Doug in their misadventures. Truly entertaining for humans of all ages, even if the younger ones don't get all the references. Brightly colored and filled with love, a worthwhile book to read for the whole family.

Copy provided by NetGalley and publisher.

[Lindsay McDella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐️

Wags to Wishes is a sweet and playful read, perfect for dog lovers and young readers alike. I really enjoyed the layout of the book — it’s structured around several mini-stories that follow Sophie, an imaginative pup, as she embarks on everyday backyard adventures that transform into wild journeys in her mind. One of my favorite parts was the adorable relationship between Sophie and the baby — it was heartwarming and added a soft, tender touch to the story.

While there wasn’t anything groundbreaking for me in terms of plot, I still found the book really enjoyable. The way Sophie turns something like a rainy day in the backyard into a pirate adventure was super cute and reminded me of how pets might see the world around them. Overall, it’s a charming book with a fun concept and lovable characters.

[Sophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a delightful children’s book! The story follows a lovable dog named Sophie and her human baby companion as they go on imaginative adventures—now joined by a playful new puppy in the family. Together, they explore, pretend, and learn through creativity and friendship.

The artwork is bright, expressive, and full of charm, perfectly capturing the fun and warmth of their adventures. This book encourages imagination, teamwork, and empathy, making it a wonderful choice for preschool and early elementary readers.

Parents will appreciate how the story models positive sibling-like relationships, creativity, and play-based learning, while young readers will simply enjoy the adorable animal characters and heartwarming adventures.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute installment in the Sophie graphic novel series.

This book sees Sophie still struggling with the series of foster dogs that come through the house. She is trying to mark her place as the alpha dog while still protecting her human brother, Doug, from his own babyness and also protecting the world from the machination of the two cats.

I especially liked the short send up to Edgar Allan Poe.

Can't wait for more from Sophie.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC COPY...Didn't what to make of this at first but got my footing once I sensed ASAP, this is a comedy piece of animal antics alias "Investigators" and "Spark" only with its certain kind of absurdity style!

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[bookcookery]

Sophie: Wags to Wishes is a charming pick for pet-loving kids, offering a series of short, whimsical vignettes, some rooted in everyday events, others veering into the fantastical and absurd.

This is the third book in the series, but it feels like Anderson is still transitioning from the webcomic format. While some of the early chapters are quite brief, they don’t quite deliver the comic punch of a stand-alone strip or the visual wit found in work like Philippe Coudray’s Benjamin Bear. Even as the story arcs lengthen toward the end of the book, they lack the character development often found in middle-grade graphic novels. The humor, too, is relatively one-note, without the layered appeal that makes series like Dog Man or Diary of a Wimpy Kid resonate for multiple age groups.

This isn’t Calvin and Hobbes; readers shouldn’t expect commentary, wordplay, or emotional depth. Sophie is simpler in both tone and ambition. But within those bounds, it succeeds: offering light, playful stories for younger readers, with just enough oddball charm to entertain. It will probably get a re-read, particularly for its visual style, and it did inspire a read of the first book in the series, Jurassic Bark, which provided some additional backstory for the characters.

Thanks to Marble Press and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.