I’m Not Sophie By Robyn Hodess – Hosted by The Children’s Book Review

May 27, 2025 · by sybrinapublishing

I am NOT Sophie!

Written by Robyn Hodess

Illustrated by Terry Kole

Ages: 0-3 | 14 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383838

Publisher’s Book Summary: Sophie is a little girl with a BIG imagination! Every day, she wakes up and decides to be a different animal. On Sunday, she pounces and roars through the house like a tiger. On Monday, she stomps and trumpets like a mighty elephant. Throughout the week, she is a slithering snake, a bouncy monkey, and even a scary alligator! By the end of the week, Sophie discovers that being herself is the best adventure of all.

Filled with playful illustrations and a heartwarming message about self-acceptance, I am NOT Sophie! encourages young readers to embrace their own unique magic—because sometimes, being YOU is the most wonderful thing of all!

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Guest Post By The Author

“I am NOT Sophie: Dreaming, Pretending, and Being Yourself”

Sometimes the most magical ideas come when we least expect them—like in a dream. That’s how the story of I Am Not Sophie was born: out of the quiet, whimsical corners of sleep came a little girl with a wild imagination who danced from one identity to another, exploring what it means to be herself.

At its heart, I Am Not Sophie is a picture book filled with color, play, and love. It follows the imaginative journey of a four-year-old girl named Sophie who wakes up each morning and decides, quite confidently, that she is notSophie. Not today.

On Sunday, Sophie is a tiger. She pounces and roars all day long. She wears an orange T-shirt with stripes made of black tape, items that she can easily find in her house. Her mother greets her, “Good morning, my little Sophie.” When Sophie corrects her by saying “I am NOT Sophie! I am a tiger,” she accepts this new version not with confusion or correction, but with total acceptance.

Monday, Sophie is an elephant. She dresses in gray sweats and a long sock for a trunk. She stomps and trumpets all day long. On Tuesday, she’s a snake. On Wednesday, a monkey. Each day brings new transformation: a new animal, a new color, and a new layer of personality that Sophie tries on like a costume.

And every day, her mother plays along, never once saying, “But you’re Sophie.” She doesn’t rush Sophie back to reality or correct her fantasy. Instead, she meets her daughter where she is, fully engaged in her world of make-believe.

This gentle, nurturing dynamic between mother and child is what makes I Am Not Sophie resonate so deeply. It’s not just a book about imagination—it’s a story about acceptance.

In a culture where children are often nudged to grow up too quickly, I Am Not Sophie slows everything down and honors the incredible power of pretend play. It reminds us that identity isn’t fixed or final, especially in childhood. Kids explore the world by becoming it—through animals, superheroes, or even invisible friends. This kind of play isn’t frivolous; it’s foundational. It’s how children process emotions, build empathy, and begin to understand themselves.

Each page in the book is beautifully illustrated in Sophie’s world. With bold, vibranthues,this book gently introduces young readers to the basics of color recognition.

It also teaches the days of the week. As the story moves from Sunday to Saturday, readers follow Sophie through her imaginative evolution. Each animal she becomes marks a new day and a new opportunity for self-expression. It’s a simple but effective way to naturally build early literacy skills.

But what really makes the book shine is the emotional arc.

By the time Saturday rolls around, Sophie is standing on her bed with her mom, surrounded by a featherboa, strips of tape, pool tubes, and all her stuffed animal friends from all her make-believe adventures. She looks at her mom and declares, “I am Sophie!”

And that moment is everything. She doesn’t stop pretending; she embodies all those characters. She pounces, roars, stomps, trumpets, slithers, hisses, bounces, chatters, flitters, chirps, crawls and chomps– because that is Sophie.

This ending offers a subtle but powerful lesson: Children need the freedom to explore all the “could-bes” of who they are to eventually feel safe and proud of the “I am.” It tells them identity isn’t fixed; it’s about exploring until something feels right.

And most importantly, it sends a message to parents, caregivers, and educators: unconditional acceptance is the soil where confidence grows. Sophie’s mother never pushed her to be “just Sophie,” but by accepting each version of her child, she helped Sophie arrive there on her own. It’s a quiet, beautiful reminder of the power of presence and permission.

In a world that often rushes children to conform, I Am Not Sophie stands as a tender resistance. It invites us to slow down, to listen, to play, and to believe in the inner world of a child. It’s a celebration of imagination, a tribute to loving parenting, and a gentle primer in identity, days, and colors.

Whether read at bedtime, circle time, or curled up on the couch on a rainy afternoon, I Am Not Sophie is a story that will linger in hearts—of both children and adults—long after the final page is turned.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robyn Hodess is a lifelong creative with a passion for storytelling through art. For over thirty-five years, she has worked across all mediums, from graphic design and botanical illustration to painting and encaustic. While raising her three daughters—Erin, Hannah, and Sophie—as a stay-at-home mom, she infused creativity into everyday life, finding inspiration in the wonder and imagination of childhood. Now, she is bringing that same passion to the world of children’s books, crafting stories that spark curiosity, joy, and self-discovery.

Through her heartfelt narratives, she hopes to inspire young minds to embrace creativity and see the magic in the world around them. Robyn currently lives in Park City, Utah, with her husband, dog Huey, a house full of art supplies, and a heart full of stories waiting to be told.

https://www.facebook.com/RobynHodessStudio

https://www.instagram.com/mascotbooks/?hl=en

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Amplify Publishing Group. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.