Sooo, you’ve got that new pet you always wanted! But it comes with its own set of pet problems. Perhaps it has accidents on the floor or steals your slippers and turns them into shapeless clumps of fluff.
But if you’re Sophia, well, she has bigger problems. Because she’s got a larger-than-life pet.
She has giraffe-size problems. Kids can already see that the laundry has been trashed by that extra long neck. But that’s not the problem that’s bugging everyone.
It’s his tongue.
“When Noodle kissed you, his eyelashes danced a little fluzzle,
then his nose swooped in for a nuzzle, and then….”
He goes in for the slurp on Grand-mamá. Ewwwwwww.
And Noodle snores. When Noodles sleeps, no one else can. And a family that doesn’t sleep is an unhappy one.
The verdict comes from Mom:
“Noodles is guilty of robbing this family,” she said, “of sleep! I hereby order you to find a perdurable solution to his problems.”
Yes, you read that right. Perdurable. Permanent. Forever.
Grand-mamá suggests sending him back.
Father argues that
“Noodle’s benefit to this family is far outweighed by his costs, which are fixed and perpetual.”
Yes, you read that right. Perpetual. Permanent. Forever.
Grand-mamá says send him back! Oh, no!
But Sophia is one determined girl. She does not rest until she creates what can only be described as the giraffe version of a C-Pap mask. Is it just me, or is this hilarious? Perhaps I’m sleep-deprived because I, too, live with someone who snores loud enough to shake the foundation.
In any case, even Grand-mamá is won over by this solution (and by Noodle’s kisses) in the end. Because after all, Noodle is family.
“Perdurably.”
“Perpetually.”
“Abidingly.”
“Forever.”
You know it, right? Once you get that pet home, there’s no taking it back.
Giraffe facts (including the fact that giraffes really do snore) play important roles in the story’s development, facts that are creatively displayed on the opening page end papers.
And the last page contains a glossary of all the big words used in the story. Kids will get a kick out of saying these words, including “ossicones,” the horn-like protrusions on a giraffe’s head.
Love the vibrant water color and colored pencil illustrations, the multi-racial family, and the fact that this book assumes that ridiculous is normal, as some of the best picture books often do.
Jilanne Hoffmann 
I’m so excited to see there’s a sequel to One Word from Sophia, which introduced “big” words to kids in a fun way. Two Problems for Sophia sounds even more delightful than the first book. Thank you for your timely communique. 🙂
And a fabulous sequel it is! Thanks for stopping by!
I love this book! I have become a fan of Averbeck due to Sophia as there is so much to his stories – great complexity but relayed in comprehensible format. He’s found a great way to give kids some captivating words to throw around! Never underestimate the power and capacity of young minds!! 🙂
Yes! Those fabulous words. And used in such a way that they stick. Perdurably. Perpetually. Abidingly. Forever…..
And I thought that Jim might not be able to surpass the fabulousness of One Word Sophia, but indubitably, he has outdone himself. LOVE. There are nuance and layers to all Jim’s work.
So true. I’m waiting to see what he does with Sophia and “three.”
This looks incredible and makes me want to read both books! LOVE it when fun new words are woven in and language celebrated.
I’m a language geek, too. And this book makes me sooo happy!
I love PBs that include big words, and this one sounds unforgettably unique. Thanks for sharing!
It is unique, something that editors are always looking for when manuscripts arrive on their desks. And something that kids and parents are looking for as well when picking out new books to read.
I’m not familiar with the author and the two Sophia books. But any book that introduces kids to big words, (definitions on all) is a great share in the classroom and at home. Owning a giraffe is so beyond silly that it gets the point across. Love it!
Oh, Pat, I think you’d love the first Sophia book, too. I’m still chuckling over a snoring giraffe with a C-pap machine…..
this looks too, too cool! And I love long words. Thanks for sharing it.
This is cool. Kids love long words. They seem to be better spellers and readers than in my day. Thanks for sharing.
I think it just depends on the kid. But it’s so much fun to have books that will stretch them a little!
Jim is amazing and this was a great review of his sequel. Sophie is such a great character and I adore that he gets to use long words! There’s hope for the rest of our manuscripts. 🙂
Yes, I hope that Sophie gets another story! And that we all get to use more long words in our manuscripts!
You can never have enough giraffe facts! It’s good to see big words being encouraged.
I must confess, I can’t recall ever hearing or reading the word “perdurably” before, so it was a learning moment for me, too.
It’s not a word that comes up very often, I had come across the word before but had to search up the meaning to remind myself.
This sounds like a fascinating book. Like others, I like the fact that it encourages learning new vocabulary. Will have to check it out.
I love the way it introduces and reinforces the meanings of the longer words. It’s done very intentionally, in a way that will make those words “stick.”
Love “fuzzle” and “nuzzle” –this looks like an awesome book and a great opportunity for kids to learn more about giraffes. Those creatures need some love and support as they’re now a threatened species due to poaching. 😦 Thanks for sharing!
It’s crazy, isn’t it, that people want to kill giraffes. Makes my stomach sour.
And did you see the latest review, Giraffe Problems? Giraffes are big in the kids’ book market this year. There’s another called Teach Your Giraffe to Ski by Viviane Elbee that’s quite funny and helpful if it’s your first time facing the bunny hill.