When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt

K-Gr 3—Sophie is back, and so is the beech tree to which she retreats in the Caldecott Honor book When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry (Scholastic, 1999). This time her teacher asks the class to "find a tree you like a LOT. Look at it carefully…. Tomorrow you're going to paint that tree from memory." As she studies her tree, Sophie notes its thick base, how it thins as it reaches skyward and how the branches curve. She even notices how the sun makes the leaves glow. At school, the young artist wants to convey how happy and alive the tree makes her feel, so she paints it a vibrant turquoise with chartreuse leaves against an orange sky. "She paints yellow all around it, as if it's shining. She fills her shining tree with animals she has seen in the woods." Sadly, her pride and satisfaction are short-lived; "We're supposed to paint a REAL tree, Sophie. You did it WRONG!" Her classmates' whispers and laughter bring tears of hurt and embarrassment. "She wants to JUST NOT BE THERE…. She hates her picture." With gentle questions her wise teacher helps the children understand that "Sophie looked very carefully and painted what she saw…and she used color to show her feelings." Ms. Mulry is able to diffuse the situation without making accusations or taking sides, so that the children appreciate and respect one another's work. Bang has chosen a common school scenario and sees it through to a satisfying resolution. Her signature chunky, full-spread paintings celebrate color, creativity, and diversity. The hand-printed text complements the childlike art.