Sophie Takes to the Sky

by Katherine Woodfine, Briony May Smith (Illustrator)

Scaredy-Cat Sophie is afraid of everything! So when a balloonist comes to the town fair, Sophie is left behind while everyone else goes to watch him fly in his marvellous balloon. She's far too frightened of the crowds, the commotion and even riding in a horse-drawn carriage. But Sophie longs to watch the hot-air balloon sail across the blue sky. If she could just be brave enough to face her fears, who knows where her journey might take her ... A touching tale for young readers of learning to overcome anxiety and follow your dreams.

Genres: Childrens, Historical, Adventure, Fiction, Historical Fiction

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Katherine Woodfine is the author of more than 15 books for children, including the Sinclair’s Mysteries and Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series. Her first published novel, The Clockwork Sparrow, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was nominated for numerous awards. A champion of children’s literature, she has previously worked on projects including the Children’s Laureate, YALC (the UK’s first young adult literature convention) and children’s books podcast Down the Rabbit Hole. She now combines writing with reviewing children’s books. She lives in Lancashire, UK in an old house near a castle, with her family and two black cats. Find out more at katherinewoodfine.co.uk

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice chapter book in which a girl overcomes her fears. Based on a real aeronaut! Pretty fun to read a fictional version of a historical figure that I hadn’t previously known about.

The main reason I bought this book though was because it’s illustrated by Briony May Smith -one of my favorite illustrators. My only real disappointment with it is that the format of the book is kind of small, probably so it’s easier for kids to hold... but it’s harder to see the lovely illustrations that way.

[j · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was okay and taught me all about fears and was a mini historical fiction book.

It was about a girl called Sophie. Who was scared of a lot of things including heights, dogs and cats. But gradually she starts to overcome them on her way to the big fair.

Then she accidentally takes off in a hot air balloon where she faces her biggest fear: heights.

I really enjoyed this book and it had an important message: face your fears.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading historical fiction because it turned out Sophie was the first female aeronaut an important figure in women's history.

[Tracy Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donated to school by a parent, brought home to read over weekend.
Lovely little story.
Imagined story of the early life of Sophie Blanchard, who was born in France in 1778.
Her later life is documented as she married a balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard and became a solo balloonist after his death. She became famous for daring balloon flights.
The imagined story is that of her childhood because we know little about her family and early life. Lovely.

[Lucy Noguera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the style and tone of this little book. It has a beautiful old fashioned feel, touching on a fairytale but without the fantasy. A universal story of overcoming your fears and stepping outside of how you perceive yourself and how they perceive you! Loved it, I can imagine a child with real fears about what life has in store taking great inspiration from Sophie.

[ThePinkCarrot · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book's main character, Sophie Blanchard, was a real hot air balloonist who was born in 1778, in France.
However, this is a fictional children's mini chapter book.
Like the idea of hot air balloons. Cute illustrations.
This book is best for encouraging kids to have courage.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two things I like most about this story is that it's based on a real person and it has a good message--sometimes we have to overcome our fears to achieve our dreams.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely book

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the idea of bringing attention to a woman in history who is in danger of being forgotten, but the story itself was just okay

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, adorable illustrations, and a fun imagining of Sophie Blanchard's childhood.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m fascinated by Sophie Blanchard so I love this little reimagining of her childhood . Briony May Smiths illustrations are Devine

[Rachel Dorminy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little read. The illustrations were the highlight.

[Emily Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read per recommendation from my 2nd grader

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and illustrations. There's always got to be a fortune teller at a fair given mention :(

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little story about overcoming your fears and the fun that can be had. I loved the illustrations too! Absolutely beautiful. The fact this is based on a real person is wonderful too!

[Christina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, inspirational story about one of the first trips by hot air balloon. Perfect for introducing this topic or looking at women in STEM fields!