#Booky100Keepers Day 77: The books of Sophy Henn

Some folk whose books feature on our #Booky100Keepers list are just SO RIGHT for the world of children's books, so absolutely filled to the brim with joy and energy that it rubs off on you the moment you pick up one of their titles and start flicking through.

Sophy Henn is one of the lovely folk who we've interviewed in the course of writing our blog, and her brilliant "Pom Pom" books have been cacklesome fun, I mean who could possibly resist the sour puss panda (certainly no parent who has ever been on the receiving end of a mega-strop from their own kids).

"Pom Pom Gets the Grumps" tackles the subject of feelings in a hilarious way featuring a creature you wouldn't normally associate with being a stroppy sort. But Pom Pom isn't happy, he's having one of those days - and soon his bad mood begins to rub everyone up the wrong way at nursery. So much so that no one wants to play with him any more. Poor Pom.

But perhaps joining in will make all the difference, and maybe Pom's friends might rally round to lift his mood.

What we've always loved about Sophy's books is her characters. They aren't the usual two-dimensional picture book types, they have their own moods and agendas, and quite often they behave in ways you wouldn't expect to see characters behaving in children's books.

But back to that sheer feeling of joy that her books evoke...

"Edie" is lovely, the sort of book that is like a kid-friendly version of the movie "Amelie" - where the central character has such a love of life that it's utterly and completely infectious and lifts your mood for the rest of the day after reading it.

Again here's a character you can't help but love to bits the minute you see them in the book, happy go lucky and living their best life in a tale that all parents will nod along to, and share Edie's parents mild exasperation at the energy their daughter has.

Right now the world needs books filled with positive vibes and bright summery colours, so you could do a lot worse than seeking out a copy of this, it really is utterly blimmin' marvellous.

Sophy doesn't just write picture books though - she's started out writing for middle grade and once again has introduced the sort of mischievous character that felt so much like our own dear departed Great Nan that it made us sit up and take notice.

"Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser" features the titular Nana behaving in ways that might make more prim and proper Grandmas scream. She's loud, she's colourful, she's extremely naughty but she's very much loved by her grand-daughter Jeanie.

Nana is always cooking up some crazy scheme or other, and of course loves to bring Jeanie along for the ride. Whether it's misbehaving at the supermarket, or putting stuffy types firmly in their place, Nana is the hero we all need in our lives - older, not wiser but utterly and completely awesome!

We're so pleased to have 'met' Sophy through writing this blog. She's popped by for several Q & As over the years (and we've linked to some of those below as well as linking to reviews of her awesome books.

A truly amazing creative person! We wish her huge success with everything she turns her hand to.

Original Review Links and Articles

Pom Pom Gets The Grumps by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

A fabulous interview with Sophy Henn, Author and Illustrator of "Edie", a wonderful new picture book published by Picture Puffin

Pass It On by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

Pom Pom the Champion by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

It's Tedtime! Two new imaginative books for wee ones from awesome Sophy Henn (Bloomsbury Publishing)

Edie by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

ReadItDaddy's Book of the Week - Week ending 8th August 2014 - "Where Bear?" By Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

ReadItDaddy's First Book of the Week - Week Ending 25th January 2018: "Lifesize" by Sophy Henn (Red Shed / Egmont)

Time to Go with Ted by Sophy Henn (Bloomsbury Children's Books)

A very very happy book birthday to "Pom Pom is Super!" by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

ReadItDaddy's Second Picture Book of the Week - Week Ending 10th May 2019: "Super Duper You" by Sophy Henn (Puffin)

"Almost Anything" by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

A fantastic interview with Sophy Henn, author of "Pom Pom The Champion" and "Pom Pom Gets the Grumps"

ReadItDaddy's Chapter Book of the Week - Week Ending 1st June 2018: "Bad Nana: Older not Wiser" by Sophy Henn (HarperCollins Children's Books)

We're joined by fabulous Sophy Henn, author and illustrator of upcoming picture book smasher "Almost Anything" which is out TODAY! Hooray!