LOVE, Sophia On the Moon written by Anica Mrose Rissi and illustrated by Mika Song is a charming picture book about anger temporarily felt and love unconditionally given.
Sophia is not happy! The reader can see this even before the story starts on the clever title page where Sophia is shown sitting on a chair while her Mom sweeps up broken glass and flowers spilled from a vase. Then comes Sophia’s first letter: “Dear Mom. I’m running away and won’t ever come back. From now on I live on the moon. Don’t try to stop me. Love, Sophia.” And off she goes in her spaceship with a backpack and her cat Mr. Wubbles.
Mom answers, “Oh no! That’s a shame. I was about to make cookies…Have a good trip. Love, Mom.” Sophia lets her Mom know that there is mail on the moon and she could send the cookies to her. Their letters go back and forth in this manner with Sophia revealing that there are no bedtimes, timeouts or yelling if someone makes a mess on the moon and that she is having a great time riding moonicorns and staying up all night. When Mom writes that she’s going to be reading Sophia’s favorite bedtime story to the moonchild who came to sleep in Sophia’s empty bed Sophia feels homesick. So, she invites her Mom to come to the moon and please bring her soft cozy blanket---and, of course, Mom does.
The illustrations are expressive and full of endearing details from cows jumping over the moon to the sweet mother-daughter reunion at home under that cozy blanket.
LOVE, Sophia on the moon written by Anica Rissi and illustrated by Mika Song is a genuine story that children 4-8 will find delightful and comforting. (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020).
Activity questions for LOVE, Sophia on the Moon
Take a second look at Sophia’s bedroom and find the following things: a space ship model, stars, cow figures, a telescope, a unicorn, crayon, paper and a blue blanket. Now locate them on the other pages of this book. Also, what does Sophia’s night light look like to you?
This book is told through letters. Have you ever had a book before that was told in this manner? Do you think this manner of storytelling works well? Why?
When you look at the title page it indicates that Sophia is being punished for breaking a vase full of flowers. Have you ever been scolded for breaking something? What was it? Did your Mom get angry with you? Did you apologize for breaking the item? Did your mother apologize for yelling at you? Now, draw a picture of you sitting on a chair as your mother cleans up the mess you made. Give your picture a title.
