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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
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
In Pom Pom Sophy Henn has created another endearing little character all parents and children will recognise. After beating his mummy at a board game, Pom Pom decides he likes being the winner, and that from now on he’ll win at everything. For a while he does, though his winning streak isn’t much fun for mum or his little brother. When games in the park with friends prove that no-one can win everything, Pom Pom has a massive tantrum and stomps off to play on his own! Pom Pom’s range of emotions are crystal clear in Sophy Henn’s distinctive illustrations, and his adventures provide parents and children with lots to discuss and to giggle about too. ~ 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.
Shortlisted for the Waterstone's Best Illustrated Book 2015 Friendship is celebrated in Sophy Henn’s heart-warming and visually stunning picture book. Boy and bear are best friends, but the boy realises that the bear is getting just ‘too big and bearish’ to live in a house. But where should he go? Various bearish habitats are tried out and each one is rejected by the bear until finally the boy finds the answer to his question, ‘Then where bear?’. Boy and bear are irresistible characters, their affection for one another obvious on every page and their quest to find the perfect bearish home takes them to all sorts of places, gorgeously illustrated in Henn’s distinctive style. A charming picture book just right for sharing. ~ Andrea Reece Sophy says: Inspiration can come from anywhere. A sweet wrapper, a song, a mood, someone you see in the street, a newspaper story, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open. Saying all that, sometimes characters pop out of my head and into my sketchbook, completely out of the blue, with the hint of a story about them and it's up to me to try and winkle it out of them. That's what happened with Where Bear? I absentmindedly painted a polar bear in a dark wood and he looked a bit lost, and the story went from there.
From a major new picture book talent comes a deceptively simple and exquisitely illustrated picture book about a little boy and his bear and finding a place called home. Told with humour and warmth, this is a story to capture the heart of its reader.
A wonderful celebration of friendship that is perfect for pre-schoolers, from award-winning author-illustrator Sophy Henn - the creator of Where Bear?, Pass It On and the Lifesize series. All kinds of people are friends in all kinds of different ways. It's the same for animal friendships too! Grey langur monkeys protect and look out for chital deer, hermit crabs and sea anemones go on adventures together, ostriches and zebras work together, and remora fish and lemon sharks that trust each other. There are so many kinds of friendships and each one of them is special in its own unique way. This warm and friendly introduction to animal friendships is perfect for pre-schoolers to learn about the world around them, as well as seeing which friendships are similar to their own. Sophy Henn is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator with an MA in Illustration from the University of Brighton. She is the creator of the much-loved Pom Pom series and her book Where Bear? was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Sophy was the World Book Day Illustrator in 2015 and 2016.
The third book in the new series for 7+ readers from the amazingly talented illustrator and author Sophy Henn! Brimming with Sophy's hilarious signature illustrations, this is the perfect read for fans of Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man. A SPECTACULAR superhero story that fizzes with fun on every page! - Liz Pichon, author of the bestselling TOM GATES series. HELLO! My name is PIZAZZ and I'm a superhero . . . You probably think that's really AWESOME, and while it can be, it's also REEEEEEEAAALLLLY annoying. Even though I'm saving the world ALL THE TIME, there are still LOADS of bad guys about. Like super baddie PERFECTO! She's younger than me, and just . . . well, PERFECT! But I have a plan. Maybe I just need to be perfect too - even moreperfect than Perfecto. Easy-peasy, right?! Hilariously narrated by reluctant superhero Pizazz, and brimming with Sophy's distinctive illustrations and comic-book strips, this is the third book in the laugh-out-loud PIZAZZ series. PRAISE for PIZAZZ: Blocky comic-style panels, a fire-farting granddad and a conservationist message make for accessible, quirky reading - The Guardian, Children's Book of the Month Sophy Henn's funny new series [...] a witty and original reminder that superheroes are human too - The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week Sophy Henn's lively, energetic story should be a hit with anyone who finds it hard to fit in - Financial Times Full-page illustrations, comic-strip sequences, quirky typography and dramatic chapter openers ensure this book will appeal to more reluctant readers - The i Perfect for fans of her previous series Bad Nana, with the same level of illustration and zany text throughout - Booktrust
Having the WORST DAY EVER? Turn that frown upside down in this wiggling, hooting, roaring adventure from picture book superstar, Sophy Henn! Arthur is having the WORST DAY EVER. So he runs away - nearly to the end of the garden. But when it's time to go home, Arthur's journey back is full of surprises and he learns how to turn a stomp into a skip, a huff into a hoot and a roar into a song! Maybe Arthur's day isn't so bad after all... Find out in this joyful adventure from the brilliant Sophy Henn. Other picture books by Sophy Henn: Where Bear PomPom Gets the Grumps PomPom the Champion Pass It On PomPom is Super Edie Almost Anything Super Duper You Illustrated non-fiction: Lifesize Lifesize: Dinosaurs
Having the WORST DAY EVER? Turn that frown upside down in this wiggling, hooting, roaring adventure from picture book superstar, Sophy Henn! Arthur is having the WORST DAY EVER. So he runs away - nearly to the end of the garden. But when it's time to go home, Arthur's journey back is full of surprises and he learns how to turn a stomp into a skip, a huff into a hoot and a roar into a song! Maybe Arthur's day isn't so bad after all... Find out in this joyful adventure from the brilliant Sophy Henn. Other picture books by Sophy Henn: Where Bear PomPom Gets the Grumps PomPom the Champion Pass It On PomPom is Super Edie Almost Anything Super Duper You Illustrated non-fiction: Lifesize Lifesize: Dinosaurs
A wickedly funny new series for ages six and up from the creator of Where Bear?, Pass It On and the Pom Pom series, with colour illustrations throughout. Jeanie's Grandma is BAD. Not bad like a vampire or a gangster or anything, more like . . . up to no good. Sometimes she can be a bit embarrassing but most of the time she's REALLY fun, especially when she gets Jeanie involved in her mischievous schemes. Everyone says she's old enough to know better . . . but she doesn't seem to care one bit. In fact, Jeanie thinks she might quite like it! Bad Nana is a deliciously wicked new series for ages six and up, told through the eyes of 7 3/4-year-old Jeanie. Gorgeously illustrated throughout with vibrantly coloured spreads, Bad Nana's naughty exploits will shock and appal - and make you snort with laughter!
The super (like, actually, with powers and stuff) series from the amazingly talented Sophy Henn, award-winning author and illustrator of Bad Nana! The perfect read for children aged 7, 8, 9 and upwards, and for fans of Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man. A SPECTACULAR superhero story that fizzes with fun on every page! - Liz Pichon, bestselling author of the TOM GATES series. BEING A SUPERHERO IS THE BEST THING EVER, RIGHT? WRONG! HELLO! My name is PIZAZZ and I'm a superhero . . . You probably think that's really AWESOME, and while it can be, it's also REEEEEEEAAALLLLY annoying. I guess it was sort of going OK (I say, sort of - I still have to wear a silly cape and save the world all the time) until this NEW KID showed up, and started WOWING everyone with their super powers. Yep, SUPER POWERS - just what this town needs, another super . . . Who just happens to have the coolest name ever: Jett. And now, because of Serena and her gang of Populars, I have to compete against Jett in an almighty and ultimate SUPER-OFF. But it's fine. I mean, even if I lose, there's space for two SUPERS in this school, isn't there?! Hilariously narrated by reluctant superhero Pizazz, and brimming with Sophy's distinctive illustrations and comic-book strips. PRAISE for PIZAZZ: Blocky comic-style panels, a fire-farting granddad and a conservationist message make for accessible, quirky reading - Guardian, Children's Book of the Month Sophy Henn's funny new series [...] a witty and original reminder that superheroes are human too - Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week Full-page illustrations, comic-strip sequences, quirky typography and dramatic chapter openers ensure this book will appeal to more reluctant readers - The i Sophy Henn's lively, energetic story should be a hit with anyone who finds it hard to fit in - Financial Times Perfect for fans of her previous series Bad Nana, with the same level of illustration and zany text throughout - Booktrust
The third book in the wickedly funny series for ages six and up from the creator of Where Bear?, Pass It On and the Pom Pom series, with colour illustrations throughout. Hi! I'm Jeanie - still 7 3/4 years old, and back for another adventure with my BRILLIANT grandma BAD NANA. There's a local winter talent show, and the whole town is SO excited. Especially as the SPECTACULAR Bobby Trulove is in charge. He's an old friend of BAD NANA's and he's quite, erm, dramatic! The day before the show, a freak weather storm hits, and leaves the town snowed in. Can BAD NANA save the show? The third instalment in the wickedly funny series, from superstar author and illustrator Sophy Henn
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