Naughty Sophie / Selected Excellent Children's Works from France (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Countess de Ségur
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: The Impish Little Sophie: This thin little book was written by the 19th-century French author Countess de Ségur for her own little granddaughter. It can be considered a moral textbook for preschool children. The protagonist, Sophie, is a 4-year-old girl who is innocent, lively, clever, and full of ideas—her ideas seem to pop out of her little head one after another like beans. Sophie also has many flaws, some of which are quite serious, such as being willful, lying, and being greedy. Her misbehavior has not escaped her mother, Madame Récamier’s, notice. Under her strict discipline, Sophie gradually corrects her faults and finally becomes an honest and kind-hearted child. The Impish Little Sophie covers a wide range of life topics and provides a delicate description of children's psychological activities. Every story comes from real life. Although these 22 short stories take place in a distant era, they still hold great appeal for young readers today, educating children across generations. Vacations: Vacations is another book for children by the 19th-century French children's literature author Countess de Ségur, published after The Impish Little Sophie. It is also a textbook on children's cultural knowledge and moral education. Each story in the book contains touching plots, showing children's boldness, courage, cuteness, loyalty, and resilience. As Countess de Ségur wrote in a birthday message to her little grandson Jacques Dépita? in Paris in 1858: “I believe you will be more obedient, lovelier, more generous, and braver than little Jacques in the book. When you grow up, you will perform excellently like Paul, and be as brave and loyal as Monsieur Rosbould—this is what your loving and blessing grandmother hopes for you.” After reading The Impish Little Sophie, Vacations will take you on adventures and shape your life.