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Sophie
When Sophie Thinks She Can't...
Three-time Caldecott Honor illustrator Molly Bang helps children solve problems by showing a different -- and highly effective -- "I can't do it" becomes "I can't do it... yet." When Sophie can't solve a math puzzle, she feels upset and inadequate. "I CAN'T DO IT!" she shouts, expressing the frustration all of us feel when we try and fail. Will she ever be "smart" like her sister? Maybe she isn't smart at all.Luckily Sophie's teacher steps in. What does it mean to be smart? Using current, popular "mindset" techniques, Sophie's class is taught that we get smarter when we exercise our brains, such as when we work harder at solving a puzzle. Struggling to solve a problem doesn't mean "I can't do it!" Sophie and her classmates just can't do it... yet! Readers will cheer when Sophie finally prevails, and at the end of the day, she's confident and optimistic. At home, Sophie uses her new technique to help her dad solve a carpentry puzzle.In this third book about Sophie, Molly Bang again helps children deal with a challenging everyday issue, providing an opening to What do you do when you think, "I can't!"?
40 pages, Hardcover
Published January 2, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 29, 2017
Excellent children's book about "fixed" versus "growth" mindsets. Helpful for explaining to children that intelligence is something that grows as one continues to try and learn.
January 25, 2019
I passed this one over several times because I find the cover a bit boring, but the art inside is lovely. A story about how no one is born being good at math, being told you're bad at something makes you reluctant to try it, and how everything feels difficult before it feels easy. It's very sweet and good!
February 1, 2018
Sophie's problem isn't that she isn't smart. Or that she hasn't learned the "Most Important Word." (I do like that part, though!) Or that she doesn't have a "growth mindset."
Sophie's problem is that her sister is a brat and bullies her when her parents aren't around.
The rest of the book does a good job of explaining perseverance, problem-solving, cooperation, and the importance of "YET." But Sophie's doubts and struggles are started by her sister being downright mean.
Sophie's problem is that her sister is a brat and bullies her when her parents aren't around.
The rest of the book does a good job of explaining perseverance, problem-solving, cooperation, and the importance of "YET." But Sophie's doubts and struggles are started by her sister being downright mean.
February 27, 2018
This felt more like a teachinh tool than a fun story to read.
I love the message and lesson in this story - and I can see teachers sharing it as part of a classroom lesson, but I felt it was very teacher/lesson heavy.
I love the message and lesson in this story - and I can see teachers sharing it as part of a classroom lesson, but I felt it was very teacher/lesson heavy.
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November 18, 2019Text-to-Self Connection:
This book reminds me of the first time I actually "Got math." I have always struggled with multiplication until one day in the seventh grade my teacher ms. Jackson had me miss music class to work on it one-on-one. I remember the frustration of be unable to quickly catch on like the other students, and how that made me feel like I just did not belong. When I learned to control my emotions, and spent extra time studying and learning I can remember the satisfaction i felt when i received a perfect grade on my math test.
This book reminds me of the first time I actually "Got math." I have always struggled with multiplication until one day in the seventh grade my teacher ms. Jackson had me miss music class to work on it one-on-one. I remember the frustration of be unable to quickly catch on like the other students, and how that made me feel like I just did not belong. When I learned to control my emotions, and spent extra time studying and learning I can remember the satisfaction i felt when i received a perfect grade on my math test.
April 4, 2019
When Sophie gets discouraged, her teacher teaches her the power of the word "yet." Sophie discovers that with patience and thinking outside the box, she can tackle many problems (math problem with shapes featured and tangrams in the book). She brings home her new outlook to her father who is doing some problem solving of his own.
January 19, 2019
Teachers will love this to add to their discussions of growth mindset and places to add it throughout the day.
March 17, 2018
After her older sister solves a tangram puzzle that has stumped Sophie and denigrates her, Sophie starts feeling that she isn't smart and can't do certain things. Her teacher, Ms. Mulry, gives the students a math puzzle involving squares and rectangles. Although they struggle to figure it out and are unsuccessful at first, eventually, with some encouragement from Ms. Mulry, Sophie and her classmates figure things out, each solving the problem in a different way, based on what they already know and how each one of them thinks. Youngsters will appreciate how Ms. Mulry encourages the students as they struggle, reminding them that they can do it even though they haven't YET. Teachers will recognize the idea of "growth" mindset that is threaded through the story and will acknowledge that some struggle is actually good for youngsters as they learn. Although the story is a tad didactic, it offers an avenue through which to discuss feelings of frustration or thoughts about how "smart" or "dumb" they think they are. It also offers a great example of what can happen with persistence, and the author/illustrator provides some background on the book's inspiration and growth mindset. I was left wondering how long the youngsters should have been allowed to struggle and what to do if some students simply are not ever able to figure out the solution to the problem. I know that I've used tangrams in the past, and some students become extremely frustrated as they shift the pieces around and cannot get them to form the necessary pattern. How long should we wait for the productive struggle before it becomes cruel and counterproductive? Teachers and students--parents too!--might enjoy discussing these questions and others raised by reading the book. I expect that anyone who enjoyed the previous two Sophie books will also like this one with its brightly-colored illustrations and a protagonist with whom they can easily relate. It's good to be reminded that when you think you can't do something, you've already lost half the battle.
Read
March 24, 2018Three-time Caldecott Honor illustrator Molly Bang helps children solve problems by showing a different and highly effective approach: "I can't do it" becomes "I can't do it. . .yet."
When Sophie can't solve a math puzzle, she feels upset and inadequate. "I CAN'T DO IT!" she shouts, expressing the frustration all of us feel when we try and fail. Will she ever be "smart" like her sister? Maybe she isn't smart at all. Luckily Sophie's teacher steps in. What does it mean to be smart? Using current, popular "mindset" techniques, Sophie's class is taught that we get smarter when we exercise our brains, such as when we work harder at solving a puzzle. Struggling to solve a problem doesn't mean "I can't do it!" Sophie and her classmates just can't do it. . .yet!
Readers will cheer when Sophie finally prevails, and at the end of the day, she's confident and optimistic. At home, Sophie uses her new technique to help her dad solve a carpentry puzzle. In this third book about Sophie, Molly Bang again helps children deal with a challenging everyday issue, providing an opening to ask: What do you do when you think, "I can't!"?
Tangram: a Chinese puzzle made by cutting a square of thin material into five triangles, a square, and a rhomboid which are capable of being recombined in many different figures.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...
When Sophie can't solve a math puzzle, she feels upset and inadequate. "I CAN'T DO IT!" she shouts, expressing the frustration all of us feel when we try and fail. Will she ever be "smart" like her sister? Maybe she isn't smart at all. Luckily Sophie's teacher steps in. What does it mean to be smart? Using current, popular "mindset" techniques, Sophie's class is taught that we get smarter when we exercise our brains, such as when we work harder at solving a puzzle. Struggling to solve a problem doesn't mean "I can't do it!" Sophie and her classmates just can't do it. . .yet!
Readers will cheer when Sophie finally prevails, and at the end of the day, she's confident and optimistic. At home, Sophie uses her new technique to help her dad solve a carpentry puzzle. In this third book about Sophie, Molly Bang again helps children deal with a challenging everyday issue, providing an opening to ask: What do you do when you think, "I can't!"?
Tangram: a Chinese puzzle made by cutting a square of thin material into five triangles, a square, and a rhomboid which are capable of being recombined in many different figures.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...
April 15, 2018
We find Sophie at the table trying to place various pieces into a square. When her older sister comes by, moves the pieces quickly into place and says, “Too bad you’re not smart,” then walks away. Sophie’s self-confidence plummets and she thinks she, Can’t do ANYTHING!
The lesson at school the next day is about the word smart. Just what she doesn’t want to talk about. The teacher explains that becoming smart takes exercise. She wants them to exercise their brains with a math puzzle using squares and rectangles. Oh, no! Sophie doesn’t want anything to do with dreaded puzzles. She feels she’s good at soccer and working hard in the garden, but NOT PUZZLES! When the class has trouble working the puzzle Ms. Mulry, the teacher introduces them to another word that might help: Yet.
Cons: The stereotype of having an older sibling come by when Sophie is having trouble working the puzzle, insult her, work the puzzle quickly, then walk away, was just about enough to cause me to close the book. I felt that part wasn't necessary at all to the book. Sophie could have had trouble with the puzzle and labeled herself as a failure at puzzles and math, without the rudeness of a family member. That was very disappointing.
Pros: Though the book felt a bit too much of a forced lesson to be learned, it had an extremely good point about trying and not giving up too quickly.
The lesson at school the next day is about the word smart. Just what she doesn’t want to talk about. The teacher explains that becoming smart takes exercise. She wants them to exercise their brains with a math puzzle using squares and rectangles. Oh, no! Sophie doesn’t want anything to do with dreaded puzzles. She feels she’s good at soccer and working hard in the garden, but NOT PUZZLES! When the class has trouble working the puzzle Ms. Mulry, the teacher introduces them to another word that might help: Yet.
Cons: The stereotype of having an older sibling come by when Sophie is having trouble working the puzzle, insult her, work the puzzle quickly, then walk away, was just about enough to cause me to close the book. I felt that part wasn't necessary at all to the book. Sophie could have had trouble with the puzzle and labeled herself as a failure at puzzles and math, without the rudeness of a family member. That was very disappointing.
Pros: Though the book felt a bit too much of a forced lesson to be learned, it had an extremely good point about trying and not giving up too quickly.
September 10, 2018
Summary:
Sophies confidence dwindles when her sister tells her she isn't smart. When Sophie gets to school, she is determined she can't do anything. During a math lesson on rectangles, Sophie gets frustrated and once again says she cannot do it, but her teacher uses that as a chance to teach a valuable lesson: She doesn't get it, YET! With this new philosophy, Sophie uses her love of gardening to help her create the perfect rectangle. She is triumphant and believes she's getting smarter. When she returns home, she helps her dad fix the cabinet with the same motto.
Evaluation:
This book teaches a very valuable lesson on the importance of giving ourselves some time to figure things out. We all learn differently, and Sophie's story can relate to a lot of people. When we get stuck, we need to think we just haven't figured it out YET rather than just giving up. Molly Bang did a wonderful job in relating Sophie to many readers and her lesson can help inspire students.
Teaching Idea:
This could be a good cross curricular book in relation to math and reading. Many students get frustrated in math and believe they cannot do it. This story could be read during those hard times so students can see they just need time to grasp a concept! In regards to literacy, this could be a great journal opportunity for students to write of a time they overcame an academic struggle.
Sophies confidence dwindles when her sister tells her she isn't smart. When Sophie gets to school, she is determined she can't do anything. During a math lesson on rectangles, Sophie gets frustrated and once again says she cannot do it, but her teacher uses that as a chance to teach a valuable lesson: She doesn't get it, YET! With this new philosophy, Sophie uses her love of gardening to help her create the perfect rectangle. She is triumphant and believes she's getting smarter. When she returns home, she helps her dad fix the cabinet with the same motto.
Evaluation:
This book teaches a very valuable lesson on the importance of giving ourselves some time to figure things out. We all learn differently, and Sophie's story can relate to a lot of people. When we get stuck, we need to think we just haven't figured it out YET rather than just giving up. Molly Bang did a wonderful job in relating Sophie to many readers and her lesson can help inspire students.
Teaching Idea:
This could be a good cross curricular book in relation to math and reading. Many students get frustrated in math and believe they cannot do it. This story could be read during those hard times so students can see they just need time to grasp a concept! In regards to literacy, this could be a great journal opportunity for students to write of a time they overcame an academic struggle.
Read
June 7, 2018Sophie thinks she can’t do anything. On a rainy day when she can’t work in her garden she tries to make a rectangle with many different shapes and can’t. Sophie’s teacher says they have to help their brains get stronger by thinking hard. Her teacher gives them a math problem to solve: the students need to make as many rectangles as they can out of twelve squares. At first, Sophie cannot draw squares that are the same size. They teacher reminds them that they may not have solved their problem yet, but they need to keep trying. Sophie tries again. Sophie thinks of her garden and how it has rows, and draws one row of vegetables to make a very long rectangle. Sophie did it! This book encourages kids to keep trying and not to give up.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!:
https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/client/en_US/vpd/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:2093366/ada?qu=when+sophie+thinks+she+can%27t&lm=VPD
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!:
https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/client/en_US/vpd/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:2093366/ada?qu=when+sophie+thinks+she+can%27t&lm=VPD
January 6, 2018
I'm a big fan of the books about Sophie. In this installment, Sophie is frustrated that she is having a hard time solving a puzzle with shapes. She doesn't think she's smart enough. But as Sophie and her classmates work through a math problem at school they discover the "Most Important Word," yet. "You haven't figured it out...yet," says the teacher. This is a turning point where the students buckle down and keep trying. It is this message that will inspire teacher and parents to share with their young ones. In the end, all are triumphant, and with Sophie's new found confidence, she even helps her dad solve a problem with the kitchen sink!
March 12, 2018
I really enjoy the Sophie books. They are a great way to discuss behavior with children. Sophie just so happens to look like my daughter (who is now 21!) and I remember reading When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry to her when she was little as a way to discuss her emotions (ugh... really tantrums!). When Sophie Thinks She Can't is another great resource to use with children to teach perseverance. I especially appreciate the diverse characters in this book as there are many people of color in this book, including the teacher and the students with whom Sophie is working with.
February 6, 2018
Written by a teacher! YAY!!
Not that she is trying for this, but I feel this is a science related book, because the science practices overlap with having a growth mindset, which overlap with problem solving, which overlap with the scientific method. So basically...win-win-win-win! I especially loved how the author used the tangrams as the puzzle. Such a classroom related event...and a frustrating one at that. I have struggled creating the rabbit, swan, etc. It is a process that takes some time, effort, and tries.
Not that she is trying for this, but I feel this is a science related book, because the science practices overlap with having a growth mindset, which overlap with problem solving, which overlap with the scientific method. So basically...win-win-win-win! I especially loved how the author used the tangrams as the puzzle. Such a classroom related event...and a frustrating one at that. I have struggled creating the rabbit, swan, etc. It is a process that takes some time, effort, and tries.
October 3, 2018
September 2018 - a great story for elementary school kids, it's got some math incorporated naturally into the story and it really affirms the messages of 'learning takes effort' and 'yet' - as in, you don't know how to do it yet, but you can learn. Ben recognized the shape game from kindergarten ("we have those in my class! The square is blue, the rectangle is green..." etc.) and he's definitely been getting the 'yet' message there, too, because that resonated with him. Which makes it all sound like a big lesson, but it also makes a good read-aloud story.
February 17, 2018
Sophie thinks she can't do puzzles and math and sees there are ways to find the answers and everyone is smart in different ways. That not being smart until you take the time to try and do something is important and not to listen to those who think you can't. Everyone is smart in different ways and not knowing how to do something and then learning is fine. Emotions and dealing with struggle to learn something new theme.
April 21, 2018
This is the ideal book to share with a child/ren who believe they "can't" do something, especially math. The afterward is an interesting addition for adults as Bang explains the inspiration and collaboration behind the book -- an academic examination of fixed vs. growth mindsets. It's more of a lesson than a story, but that's OK because it's a very needed lesson and it has Molly Bang's vibrant artwork.
September 8, 2018
Sophie starts off discouraged by how easy something is for her elder sister and the belittling words the sister says. Her teacher states how the mind is a mussel that must get used so you can become smarter and, if you say you can't do something, just add "yet". Sophie internalizes this and not only does she get better at school but she is then able to teach this trick to her dad & help him finish a project. Parents familiar w/ When Sophie gets Angry will be happy to see this addition.
April 17, 2018
Sophie is struggling to put a puzzle together. She doesn't think she's good at math.
NOTE: The older sister tells her she's not smart. Be sure you use this as a teachable moment.
Her teacher teaches her a very important word - yet. She hasn't solved it yet.
Use to talk about grit and perseverance and growing brains.
NOTE: The older sister tells her she's not smart. Be sure you use this as a teachable moment.
Her teacher teaches her a very important word - yet. She hasn't solved it yet.
Use to talk about grit and perseverance and growing brains.
April 24, 2018
There are a few things going on here...some math skills, learning to be patient with yourself, learning to work together and have confidence in yourself. It's not quite as focused (and hence, brilliant) as When Sophie Gets Angry, but it's a valiant effort. Sophie is an interesting, passionate little girl...
July 14, 2018
The power of the growth mindset is presented in this story about Sophie, Molly Bang's recurring character. Sophie gets discouraged when it comes to math, but her teacher, and the power of the word "yet" help her gain confidence and learn to overcome her lack of confidence when approaching difficult tasks.
January 24, 2018
This would be a great book to read to young students at the beginning of the school year in an early math lesson. It focuses on the growth mindset and teaching students the "most important word": yet.
March 14, 2018
Sophie's back and struggling - this time with math concepts and no help from her vicious older sister. Her classmates are a diverse group who are struggling with a new math concept. Nice addition to a classroom library and useful for introducing what a growth mindset is in addition to perseverence.
May 16, 2018
Sophie's having trouble-she doesn't feel smart about math. Her teacher gives the class a tricky problem-make a rectangle with 12 squares. But Sophie learns she can persist and solve problems. This is going to be a great one to talk about persistence and problems solving.
September 21, 2018
This book is an important reminder to kids and their parents that we all learn at our own speed and have our own things we excel at. Also, that it can take time to learn a new skill. Berry wanted repeat readings, though I'll admit that I am not a fan of the illustrations.
December 3, 2018
A girl struggling with math thinks up a new way to work out the problem. The teacher embraces the many ways students have come up with to find the correct solution. I wish math would have been taught this way when I was in school!
December 9, 2018
A way to discuss growth mindset with younger students. This could also be used when introducing word problems or tangrams. I like the emphasis on things you are naturally good at versus things you have to work hard on.
July 10, 2017
These picture books about Sophie are great! I love the growth mindset teaching and the idea that you haven't figured it out...yet. Very well written and illustrated by Molly Bang. Highly recommended!
January 23, 2018
What a great way to encourage kids to learn new things and not give up just because they don't get it quickly. And there's some math thrown in.
From advanced reader copy.
From advanced reader copy.
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