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Sophy Henn lives and works in Sussex, England. She studied Fashion at Central Saint Martins, accidentally had a London based career as an Art Director in advertising, then completed an MA at University of Brighton in Illustration. Now she writes and illustrates children's books in her studio, with a large cup of tea by her side, and can't quite believe her luck. Where Bear? was her very first book and since then she has created the wonderful panda character called Pom Pom. She has been nominated for the Greenaway Medal for Where Bear? 2015 and was shortlisted for the AOI Illustration Awards 2014. She was the World Book Day Illustrator for 2016.
Follow Sophy Henn on Instagram here and read her Q&A here.
Having super-powers is not necessarily all that – well, super – if you are 9 ¼ years old and coping with a new school and no friends, not to mention an annoying super-powered little sister. That’s Pizazz’s situation and, as she describes her life, we see just how frustrating it would be if you have to keep breaking off from things you’re enjoying to go and thwart an evil genius’s wicked plan. Her super-powers don’t help her make new friends, nor, when she’s made eco monitor at school and trying to save a local park from developers do they help there either – at least, not initially. Sophy Henn’s story is great fun, narrated at super-hero speed and in a wonderfully direct and distinctive voice by Pizazz, who is exactly the kind of super-hero we all want to be with right now: funny, honest, self-aware, and able to tell a really good story. I can’t wait for more from Pizazz and expect that she’ll soon have legions of fans. Sophy Henn’s artwork is snazzy and comic and absolutely on the ball, just like her new character. This is a series to recommend to fans of Clarice Bean or Sibéal Pounder’s Bad Mermaids.
April 2019 Book of the Month | Bounce like a bunny, spring like a lamb, leap like a frog, hop like a chick – pre-schoolers will have a ball guessing what animal adorable, active Ted is about to imitate before lifting the flaps for the big reveals. Bright, bold and with plenty for little ones to giggle over as they get involved, this is the very best kind of board book – the kind that toddlers will request over-and-over (and over!) again.
Full of fun and adventure, this stylish lift-the-flap board book promotes the wonders of imaginative play with verve. When Ted stands by the fridge eating an ice cream, lifting the flap transports him and his readers to explore a “cold, snowy iceberg”. Standing at the bottom of the stairs leads Ted to a giddy goats’ mountaintop. Designed with care and executed with energy, this is pitch-perfect for exploring-mad pre-schoolers.
By the always-current Sophy Henn this new series for children just starting to read on their own is to be celebrated. Jeanie, aged 7 ¾, has a special relationship with her grandma, known to the family as Bad Nana. She doesn’t mind her name, in fact, Jeanie says, ‘I think she quite likes it’. Bad Nana isn’t really bad, and if she’s often up-to-no-good, completely embarrassing or a little bit cheeky, she’s always good fun. There’s certainly lots of fun to be had in the different stories Jeanie shares with us. Children are fascinated by the way old people have a license to misbehave, and they will be delighted by Bad Nana’s exploits which break all the rules of good behaviour. The illustrations, also by Sophy Henn, are stylish and distinctive, but children will immediately recognise themselves in Jeanie. This lovely, hugely appealing book is one to recommend to fans of Lauren Child and her Clarice Bean stories in particular.
George the rabbit is the epitome of the timid child, but Bear cleverly empowers him to try. Wonderfully shows the the power of resilience and grit, the importance of self-belief and that we all have a bit of magic inside us if we give it a chance.
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | Playtime with Ted is one of a new series of interactive board books from the super-talented Sophy Henn and like her bestselling picture books it’s fresh and funny, and a wonderful celebration of the joys of being a child. Ted is having great fun: to the unseen grown up he’s sitting in a cardboard box, but flip over the flap and we see what Ted sees as his box transforms into a series of vehicles, from racing car to submarine to rocket ship. It seems so simple but there’s a brilliance in the idea and the delivery, and this will delight children and adults alike. ~ Andrea Reece
It’s bedtime for Ted, but he’s just too busy yet – flip the flaps and you can see why: Ted is in the bath with some penguins, busy brushing his teeth with a crocodile and drinking his milk with a tiger. At last he’s ready to be tucked up in bed with his cuddly friends and fast asleep (still in his trademark bobble hat). Sophy Henn’s new board book series is simple enough for the very youngest to enjoy but still manages to tell a story and to celebrate the boundless scope and joy of a child’s imagination. These little books deserve to become classics. ~ Andrea Reece
Marvellously independent, confident and full of optimism, little Edie strides across the pages of this lovely book and straight into readers’ hearts. In bright, busy scenes we see her helping her family by waking everyone up nice and early, organising mummy’s office, keeping her little brother in hand, giving grandpa a stylish new hairstyle. Her enthusiasm and energy are almost boundless, and sometimes she has to be reminded not to be quite so helpful… Lots of little children will recognise themselves or their siblings in this little whirlwind of a girl; even when her good intentions go awry Edie is a happy, lively, lovable presence in her family’s lives, and watching her in action is a tonic. Let’s hope this is the first of many books starring Edie. ~ Andrea Reece A message from Sophy Henn: Edie just sort of popped into my head, pretty much fully formed. I think she is an amalgamation of lots of little girls, the ones who lead from the front in the playground/at nursery. There are always characters who are VERY busy, organising everyone and helping out whether you want them to or not. I love that spirit and can do attitude, which doesn’t often last in such an undiluted form once peer pressure and self-awareness kick in. I wanted to celebrate it and its unfailing positivity.
Marvellously independent, confident and full of optimism, little Edie strides across the pages of this lovely book and straight into readers’ hearts. In bright, busy scenes we see her helping her family by waking everyone up nice and early, organising mummy’s office, keeping her little brother in hand, giving grandpa a stylish new hairstyle. Her enthusiasm and energy are almost boundless, and sometimes she has to be reminded not to be quite so helpful… Lots of little children will recognise themselves or their siblings in this little whirlwind of a girl; even when her good intentions go awry Edie is a happy, lively, lovable presence in her family’s lives, and watching her in action is a tonic. Let’s hope this is the first of many books starring Edie. ~ Andrea Reece A message from Sophy Henn: Edie just sort of popped into my head, pretty much fully formed. I think she is an amalgamation of lots of little girls, the ones who lead from the front in the playground/at nursery. There are always characters who are VERY busy, organising everyone and helping out whether you want them to or not. I love that spirit and can do attitude, which doesn’t often last in such an undiluted form once peer pressure and self-awareness kick in. I wanted to celebrate it and its unfailing positivity.
Poor Pom Pom is having a bad day – he can’t find his blanky, his baby brother has his favourite toy, even his breakfast is soggy. Everyone at school is having fun but Pom Pom just can’t shake off his bad mood and ends up shouting at his friends to go away. When they do he isn’t angry anymore, he’s just sad; indeed, in Sophy Henn’s illustration he looks absolutely miserable. Fortunately, an apology puts things right. Part of the beauty of Sophy Henn’s picture books is how closely they match children’s own experiences. All under-fives will have had days like Pom Pom’s, and understand just how he feels. The book offers a lovely way to talk about feelings, and as always Sophy Henn’s illustrations are masterpieces of design, colour and composition. ~ Andrea Reece Sophy says : Pom Pom was inspired by real-life events – a very lovely and sweet little girl was having a bit of a moment and stomping around the house telling everyone to ‘Go away!’ She was very persistent and eventually everyone did. As soon as she realised she had succeeded, she got a bit worried and a bit sad. I found this incredibly endearing and a little bit funny, and the idea of Pom Pom Gets The Grumps came from that. It really reminded me how tough it is to be a toddler, all those new emotions and situations you have to try to fathom all the time. And if I'm honest I want to hurl myself on the floor and yell after 20 minutes in the supermarket, but as a ‘grown up’ I mask it and carry on to the biscuit aisle.
Sophy Henn knows just what makes young children tick, and Pom Pom, the friendly panda is a little character all parents will recognise. He feels a bit left out when his friends loudly announce their super powers, he doesn’t seem to be super at all. Fortunately his friends can think of all sorts of things that Pom Pom is really good at. As much fun to look at as it is to read, this funny story is also a lovely exploration of friendship, and will reassure children that we all have our own talents, and can express them however we like. ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize The super-talented Sophy Henn, of Where Bear? and Pom Pom the panda fame, has created a truly joyous new picture book. A little girl – in stylish capri pants and a sombrero – skips across the pages encouraging her friends to share a smile, and pass it on! Sometimes, the book acknowledges, it’s hard to be cheerful, but look around and you’ll find happiness or, just when you least expect it, a smile will be passed back to you. There’s a variety of action-packed scenes – a swimming pool (with an octopus), a roller coaster ride. The illustrations have a child-like quality, bold blocks of colour against bright, bright greens, pinks, yellows and blues, but the scenes are very skilfully composed and it’s fabulous to look at. ~ Andrea Reece
