Jennie Jacques Instagram – When I discovered this 📖 at a 2nd hand charity stall, I smiled. “Small but very determined, Sophie loves animals & is going to be a lady farmer when she grows up.” A bossy girl at the heart of this novel provided me with a protagonist to relate to, as a kid! When Sophie wanted something, she made sure she got it; even poor Andrew at school was coerced into agreeing to marry her… because he had a farm 🙊 With two brothers (twins!) Matthew & Mark (roughly the same age as my older bro & cousin) I must’ve felt heard… especially reading about footballs ⚽️ being accidentally kicked at her head. I preferred to hide away with a book than join in horseplay 😆 Yet, it has to be said, a lot of my backbone, persistence & spirit stems from having a brother only 12 months (almost to the day) older than me #irishtwins Children need books 📚 & they must be read to & taught to read as soon as possible; stories open up a world of opportunity ❤️ & books have been a light to help me get through some of the darkest moments! #dickkingsmith one of my fave authors growing up – he wrote Babe the sheep pig 🐽 Along with #roalddahl 💥 Then I found #rlstine #goosebumps 😊 I actually think I had more fun re-reading this in my 30’s 😂 Sophie’s cat, a lady cat called Tomboy, her rabbit Beano, a dog named Puddle (and eventually a pony called Lucky!) help to drive this beautiful narrative. I’d highly recommend it for any young reader. #reading #readmorebooks #books