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The Adventures of Sophie Mouse #1
A New Friend
Springtime has arrived at Riverlake Forest! Buds are blooming on trees, and the air smells of honeysuckles. Sophie Mouse can't wait to go back to school after the long winter break. But she and her classmates are in for a surprise when they learn that they're getting a new classmate . . .
119 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
96 people are currently reading
1471 people want to read
About the author
Poppy Green
50 books82 followersPoppy Green can talk to animals! Unfortunately, they never talk back to her. So she started writing in order to imagine what they might say and do when humans aren’t watching. Poppy lives on the edge of the woods in Connecticut, where her backyard is often a playground for all kinds of wildlife: birds, rabbits, squirrels, voles, skunks, deer, and the occasional wild turkey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
June 24, 2020
Darling little chapter book. Sweet as can be illustrations. Wonderful message about not judging someone until you get to know them.
I think this would be a great, gentle story to share with young readers about acceptance, not listening to prejudice, being the change even if your friends aren’t, etc.
Sophie Mouse feels afraid when she learns her new classmate is a snake. After all, she has heard scary stories about snakes... but when she meets Owen he seems.... really nice! She almost asks him to join her at recess... he seems so lonely and sad... but none of the others want him to play, and she feels too nervous on her own. Later, she tells her mom and dad about the new student and is surprised to learn that her parents actually had a dear friend who happened to be a snake when they were younger and that they don't have a problem with Sophie playing with Owen. Later, when Owen helps Sophie out of a tough spot, she overcomes her fears and hopes he will come back to school. (Adults, please suspend everything you know about the food chain when you read this. Sophie Mouse lives in a utopia where all animals apparently subsist on the buttercup muffins from her mom’s bakery. That a mouse and a snake could be friends, and have an owl for a teacher, is just something we have to accept here. Besides, snakes are often given a bad rap in children’s fiction so I was at least pleased to see that was not the case here.)
I was disappointed that homeschool was presented as a method of schooling for Owen only because he was not accepted at school. Most children who homeschool are not homeschooled because they are social outcasts -- indeed, the vast majority of homeschoolers have vibrant social lives. Homeschooling is still rarely mentioned in children’s books so I was sorry to see that one of the negative stereotypes about homeschoolers perpetuated in a book that has a message of not judging based on stereotype. Still, I'll be generous and give this four stars for the overall positive message and sweet characters and would not hesitate to check out more for my children.
I think this would be a great, gentle story to share with young readers about acceptance, not listening to prejudice, being the change even if your friends aren’t, etc.
Sophie Mouse feels afraid when she learns her new classmate is a snake. After all, she has heard scary stories about snakes... but when she meets Owen he seems.... really nice! She almost asks him to join her at recess... he seems so lonely and sad... but none of the others want him to play, and she feels too nervous on her own. Later, she tells her mom and dad about the new student and is surprised to learn that her parents actually had a dear friend who happened to be a snake when they were younger and that they don't have a problem with Sophie playing with Owen. Later, when Owen helps Sophie out of a tough spot, she overcomes her fears and hopes he will come back to school. (Adults, please suspend everything you know about the food chain when you read this. Sophie Mouse lives in a utopia where all animals apparently subsist on the buttercup muffins from her mom’s bakery. That a mouse and a snake could be friends, and have an owl for a teacher, is just something we have to accept here. Besides, snakes are often given a bad rap in children’s fiction so I was at least pleased to see that was not the case here.)
I was disappointed that homeschool was presented as a method of schooling for Owen only because he was not accepted at school. Most children who homeschool are not homeschooled because they are social outcasts -- indeed, the vast majority of homeschoolers have vibrant social lives. Homeschooling is still rarely mentioned in children’s books so I was sorry to see that one of the negative stereotypes about homeschoolers perpetuated in a book that has a message of not judging based on stereotype. Still, I'll be generous and give this four stars for the overall positive message and sweet characters and would not hesitate to check out more for my children.
December 1, 2019
4 stars for likeability, readability, and being perfect for 8 year olds; especially, girls (although, boys may like it too... they just might not want to admit it.)😏
A great start to what promises to be a delightful series. "A New Friend" teaches us about how we shouldn't judge a book by its cover in relation to a "new kid" in the classroom.
Great moral to the story: Kindness is a virtue and one that's never overrated.
Pragmatic me had these thoughts though; (and, I shared them with my children): "If we were all mice, and I was your mouse mother, I wouldn't suggest you make friends with a snake. No. This is what I'd say instead, 'Stay away from snakes! They're dangerous. Oh, they may seem nice; but, they're like a wolf in sheep's clothing: Don't be fooled or you'll be lunch!"
My 11 year old son piped in too, "Yeah, and did you notice their teacher is an owl? Every single creature at that school would be an owl's preferred meal!"
A children's book, through and through. 🙂 Make note of the above fatal flaws; however, the 8 year old young reader's (and those younger still) won't pick up on those things at all. They'll simply delight in the storyline itself and be looking forward to the next book in the series (just like my 8 year old daughter is; and, my 7 year old son too - although, don't tell him I said that.) 😉
A great start to what promises to be a delightful series. "A New Friend" teaches us about how we shouldn't judge a book by its cover in relation to a "new kid" in the classroom.
Great moral to the story: Kindness is a virtue and one that's never overrated.
Pragmatic me had these thoughts though; (and, I shared them with my children): "If we were all mice, and I was your mouse mother, I wouldn't suggest you make friends with a snake. No. This is what I'd say instead, 'Stay away from snakes! They're dangerous. Oh, they may seem nice; but, they're like a wolf in sheep's clothing: Don't be fooled or you'll be lunch!"
My 11 year old son piped in too, "Yeah, and did you notice their teacher is an owl? Every single creature at that school would be an owl's preferred meal!"
A children's book, through and through. 🙂 Make note of the above fatal flaws; however, the 8 year old young reader's (and those younger still) won't pick up on those things at all. They'll simply delight in the storyline itself and be looking forward to the next book in the series (just like my 8 year old daughter is; and, my 7 year old son too - although, don't tell him I said that.) 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2021
Sanaya Talks Books:
I like this series because in all books there is something about my favorite subject, Art. I like that the character Sophie Mouse uses her creativity to get really great ideas. She is my favorite character since she has the artist's eye. My favorite book in the series is the 15th book named The Ladybug party. I like the book because Sophie was doing a good thing by helping others.
Premise of the books:
Sophie is an 8 yr old mouse living with her family in an oak tree in Pine Needle Grove. Her best friend is Hattie frog and in the first book in the series she and Hattie befriend Owen, a snake, as their next best friend. The books in the series are therefore about friendships, family, adventures, helping people out etc.
Design of the books:
There are 17 books in the series with the 18th book coming out in October 2021. The 118 pages books are designed for kids who have recently transitioned to reading chapter books on their own. The language is simple, the fonts big and with black and white illustrations on each page. The illustrations are cute and help in identifying the various animal characters mentioned in the book.
Learnings from the books:
The books are great to inculcate lot of manners as well as value system in the kids. Like the first book teaches kids not to be judgmental about others based on hearsay, there is another one which teaches the kids that age does not define talent of any person. There is one book that teaches Sophie (and with her the kids) that everyone is unique in their own way and we should never compare ourselves to others. So overall, there are many themes running through the series and I am sure the kids will learn at least something from each one of them.
Mommy's dislikes:
In this series, in the second book, Sophie and Hattie go in search of emerald berries in an area which is deserted and follow a stranger to his home when he tells them that he will show them emerald berries. This particular book was one which really bugged me with respect to the safety from strangers perspective that we teach kids. There is one another one in the same category, Book 12, where Sophie ventures out very far away while playing hide and seek and finds a cave. It also has no parent intervention when Sophie takes her younger brother into the cave to solve it's mystery.
Mommy's Verdict:
An excellent series for early readers transitioning to reading chapter books independently, this one is recommended with the exceptions of the 2nd and 12th book.
For full review check our blog at www.inbetweenbookmarks.wordpress.com or our Instagram page www.instagram.com/inbetweenbookmarks
I like this series because in all books there is something about my favorite subject, Art. I like that the character Sophie Mouse uses her creativity to get really great ideas. She is my favorite character since she has the artist's eye. My favorite book in the series is the 15th book named The Ladybug party. I like the book because Sophie was doing a good thing by helping others.
Premise of the books:
Sophie is an 8 yr old mouse living with her family in an oak tree in Pine Needle Grove. Her best friend is Hattie frog and in the first book in the series she and Hattie befriend Owen, a snake, as their next best friend. The books in the series are therefore about friendships, family, adventures, helping people out etc.
Design of the books:
There are 17 books in the series with the 18th book coming out in October 2021. The 118 pages books are designed for kids who have recently transitioned to reading chapter books on their own. The language is simple, the fonts big and with black and white illustrations on each page. The illustrations are cute and help in identifying the various animal characters mentioned in the book.
Learnings from the books:
The books are great to inculcate lot of manners as well as value system in the kids. Like the first book teaches kids not to be judgmental about others based on hearsay, there is another one which teaches the kids that age does not define talent of any person. There is one book that teaches Sophie (and with her the kids) that everyone is unique in their own way and we should never compare ourselves to others. So overall, there are many themes running through the series and I am sure the kids will learn at least something from each one of them.
Mommy's dislikes:
In this series, in the second book, Sophie and Hattie go in search of emerald berries in an area which is deserted and follow a stranger to his home when he tells them that he will show them emerald berries. This particular book was one which really bugged me with respect to the safety from strangers perspective that we teach kids. There is one another one in the same category, Book 12, where Sophie ventures out very far away while playing hide and seek and finds a cave. It also has no parent intervention when Sophie takes her younger brother into the cave to solve it's mystery.
Mommy's Verdict:
An excellent series for early readers transitioning to reading chapter books independently, this one is recommended with the exceptions of the 2nd and 12th book.
For full review check our blog at www.inbetweenbookmarks.wordpress.com or our Instagram page www.instagram.com/inbetweenbookmarks
Read
March 23, 2018My first-grader has now read this whole series and loved it. She reads above grade level but prefers these "bridge books:" easy but longer chapter books with lots of pictures (i.e., Princess in Black, Owl Diaries). I love how sweet this series is, perfect for my sweet and somewhat sensitive girl.
August 18, 2025
Makaiah wanted me to give it 1 ⭐️ because she thought it ended too fast and she didn’t want it to be over
September 6, 2025
Picked up this book after seeing it on someone’s list of “chapter books & series to read aloud to your 4 year old.” And I gotta say, nobody prepared me for how it would feel to get to read a chapter book out loud to my lil girl 😭 truly a dream come true.
This book is darling & we will absolutely be reading the whole series!!!
This book is darling & we will absolutely be reading the whole series!!!
January 26, 2018
This is a nice fun read. The book is aimed for children who are just starting to read on their own. I have found that Early beginner chapter books are perfect for transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Sophie Mouse makes a new friend when she overcomes her fear of someone who is different.
January 3, 2025
Both my kids give this book an enthusiastic 5 stars. My son stated that he enjoyed that all the different characters were animals. My daughter said, “it’s so cute and everyone is friends with each other!”
When I asked them what they learned from the book they both said that they learned to include others who are new.
When I asked them what they learned from the book they both said that they learned to include others who are new.
May 28, 2024
A really sweet and wholesome early reader chapter book that my almost-four year old really enjoyed as a read aloud! There is a little sketch on each page, which really helped him stay engaged. Also there is a mini-cliffhanger at the end of each chapter, which made him want us to keep reading!
November 11, 2024
A sweet story to read with my second grader. She especially enjoyed the friendship dynamics.
January 9, 2023
Books with the kiddo ☺️
July 26, 2023
This was such a cute book! My daughter and I loved it. It kept her attention and I was so excited to see there are 19 in the series!
May 18, 2024
Sorry everyone this is a kid dominated page now.
Maggie says: I loved it. This was about Sophie mouse who had a new student at school who was a snake, Owen. Everyone was scared of him, but then he saved Sophie mouse. Then everyone liked him and jumped over his tail for jump rope. It was about being kind to people you don’t know.
Maggie says: I loved it. This was about Sophie mouse who had a new student at school who was a snake, Owen. Everyone was scared of him, but then he saved Sophie mouse. Then everyone liked him and jumped over his tail for jump rope. It was about being kind to people you don’t know.
April 24, 2024
Cute! I’ll be reading the others to Eloise
May 23, 2024
This was the PERFECT first chapter book read-aloud for Theia! (4 yrs old)
-calm
-sweet story
-words she understands while still adding to her vocab
-simple pictures throughout to keep her attention
-long enough to challenge her attention span…
Now on to book 2!
-calm
-sweet story
-words she understands while still adding to her vocab
-simple pictures throughout to keep her attention
-long enough to challenge her attention span…
Now on to book 2!
June 19, 2021
"100 stars!!!"
November 11, 2022
“It’s a cute book” in the words of my almost 3 year old. It’s a sweet little story about a mouse and her friends so it was a hit for us.
June 7, 2023
Read this to my four year old and we are hooked! Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Read
June 27, 2023First read aloud chapter book with my 3-year-old!
March 16, 2024
Loved reading this sweet series with my 5 year old!
November 16, 2024
I’ve read this or listened to it so many times the last few weeks with my four year old that I decided to count it 😂
June 5, 2025
Loved reading this with my 4 year old. It was a great intro to chapter books for her
September 2, 2025
This was one of my fav series in grade school.
Read
September 17, 2025Cute little read aloud for my 4yr old (and her cousins). Pictures on every page and sweet story about not judging someone/being a good friend
August 30, 2019
The book was very interesting because there was a happy ending because Sophie found a different animal friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2023
Excellent book with pictures on every page. Sophie learns to be brave by being a friend to a new person in town. Sophie is nice to her brother and Sophie's parents do a good job parenting.
August 19, 2024
Puiki knyga! Labai labai džiaugiamės su dukra jog susipažinome su šiomis dviem nuostabiomis knygelėmis apie Pelytę Sofiją ir jos nuotykius 😍
May 13, 2025
so cute. the frog's design
September 12, 2021
These stories are easy and sweet. A nice break from the “heavier” stuff we’ve read recently. They still teach lessons, just in a lighter way.
Eliana’s review: “when Sophie fell down- that’s the part I didn’t like. When Owen helped her - that’s the part I did like. I like all the pictures.”
Eliana’s review: “when Sophie fell down- that’s the part I didn’t like. When Owen helped her - that’s the part I did like. I like all the pictures.”
April 9, 2025
This was a perfect read aloud for Eleanor.
Super cute illustrations and a nice lesson taught: don’t judge someone before getting to know them!
Super cute illustrations and a nice lesson taught: don’t judge someone before getting to know them!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews