Sophie and Lou

Another in Petra Mathers' explorations of mental illness, here we get the tale of Sophie, a mouse with a severe anxiety disorder characterized by social phobia, hypervigilance with an extreme sensitivity to rejection. When a dance studio opens across the street, Sophie is initially perturbed by the intrusion into her safe little home base. But she wants to dance. She wants to be a part of it. Aware on some levels that the phobia is really a fear of the fear, she embarks on a journey of interoceptive exposure, first reading books about dance, no doubt employing visualization techniques. She works up the continuum of exposure, fairly rapidly, to the point where she is dancing in her house, shades open, watching from a distance and listening in to the instructions from across the street. Louie, a gentlemouse, knocks on the door and asks for a dance. Depending on your level of cynicism, Louie is either a predatory type who we realize has been stalking the vulnerable Sophie since the beginning of the book, or, he can be seen as a shy, benevolent mouse with a crush, who works up the nerve to ask Sophie for a dance. The latter is the preferable interpretation given that this is a kids' book, but unfortunately experience has taught me to be more suspicious of the former. Anyway, Sophie's self CBT treatment is put the test in this moment. She will either demonstrate successful desensitization, conquer her phobic avoidance, and dance off merrily with the kind mouse, or she will be overwhelmed by the challenge, flooded emotionally by this rapid acceleration in the continuum of exposure, with bodily sensations caused by panic feeding back into the cognitive distortions that further the panic. Don't worry, it's for little kids. It's a sweet little happy ending, and a nice inspirational model for any of us who wish to conquer our fears. I think there could be an interesting sequel, where Sophie does some really good work in therapy, but her new found sense of self threatens her relationship with Louie, who has the need to maintain the role of rescuer within the relationship. Then a compassionate and wise owl will emerge in their lives and help Louie explore his repressed anger at his mother. Wait, maybe I'll write that story. Never mind. You can't have it, Petra, I said it here first, August 22, 2006, Marc Libman. Five stars for a cute little story with nice illustrations, minus one star because I honestly don't know enough of Lou's back-story to keep from worrying about his intentions with the vulnerable Sophie.

My daughter, Sophie, loves this story not only because it is a beautiful story of Sophie the mouse finding happiness, but because it is filled with calming and interesting illustrations.

My five-year-old daughter just received this book as a gift three days ago, and we've already read it at least 25 times. I'm not sick of it yet! We both love the illustrations (so many little details to enjoy; they really add to the story) and the gently humorous tone. The main character is someone who children can identify with and root for. Her will to seek out joy in spite of her crippling shyness is inspirational. This is a beautiful love story, and we always end it with a happy sigh. I'll want a copy of my own, even after my daughter grows up, just to read when I need a smile and a little heart-glow.

I bought "Sophie and Lou" for my daughter when she was 5. Over the years I have sold most of the books I bought her (she is now 11), but "Sophie and Lou" remains a favorite. The illustrations are great, and the story is especialy appealing for a shy child who would like to join in. As with many children's book, it is appealing to adults as well, and I recently went looking for this book to give to an adult friend who has taken up ballroom dancing.