Sophir Takes A Walk
Sophir Takes a Walk
Written by Rasha Kawar
Published by Many Realms Media, 2026
Reviewed by Eve Panzer, The Barefoot Librarian for Reader Views, March 2026
SPOILER ALERT paragraph 3
The author draws on her personal experience to tell a kid-friendly, entertaining, multi-layered story, with the overarching message that disabilities should not define anyone nor preclude them from contributing to their community. Using human characters and their pets, she helps children acknowledge physical and emotional challenges while demonstrating that these need not be limiting. The story teaches children self-acceptance and inclusiveness by encouraging them to accept others. The book explores the relatable themes of moving to a new place, attending a new school, and making new friends, capturing the excitement of exploring new places while acknowledging the anxiety this can cause. Social-emotional lessons, such as empathy, generosity, perseverance, friendship, and problem-solving, are introduced as the reader joins the cast of characters on an adventure-filled day.
The book opens as Sophir, the family dog and narrator, starts a new day in her new house. She follows her morning stretching ritual and is eager for breakfast, drawn to the kitchen by the smell of bacon. Her owner, Haley, takes her for a walk so they can learn about their new town and find the school she will attend. Sophir revels in the smells she experiences and the sounds she hears. But suddenly she hears a very weak cry of fear, too quiet for Haley to hear. Sophir feels a sense of duty to help another creature in distress, even if some rules must be broken. She breaks away from her owner, using her sharp sense of smell and hearing to find the source, a kitten named Eli, that has fallen into a hole and can’t get out. Can Sophir use problem-solving and persistence to help the kitten?
The author approaches the topic of disabilities with respect, sensitivity, and in an age-appropriate manner. The kitten Eli explains she cannot get out of the hole herself because, as she tells Sophir, “One of my front legs is unique. I was born with one of my legs all twisted.” Using Sophir as an example, the author helps children understand that helpful adaptations can be made. The author emphasizes Sophir’s keen sense of smell and hearing and illustrates how Sophir uses them to successfully navigate the world as the story unfolds. The reader does not learn until halfway through the book that Sophir is blind.
Because Sophir has no vision, her other senses are heightened to compensate. The author uses rich, vivid language as Sophir describes the sounds and smells she encounters to emphasize this. Below are just a few examples.
“The noise is soft and happy, like Haley’s flute.”
“The pond smells fresh. I can smell wet dirt and moss and pine needles.
“It’s the smell of someone who is afraid. It smells like a rusty old car on a hot day. “
Illustrations are sprinkled throughout the book, breaking up the text to keep it from overwhelming the intended audience – early readers of chapter books. The pictures have a comic-like quality, making them fun, engaging, and appealing to children. The PDF review copy featured a book cover with cheerful colors, so it was disappointing that the illustrations inside were only black and white.
A photo of the author is included. Endnotes provide biographical information about the author, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before age 2. Like Sophir and Eli in the story, Rasha has overcome challenges too.
This feel-good chapter book uses an adventure story featuring children and pets to deliver social-emotional messages, including empathy, self-esteem, respect, friendship, and acceptance. Readers will delight in the narrator of the book, the family’s pet dog, bringing a different and delightful perspective. Without being preached to, the author teaches young readers that “…people with disabilities contribute to their communities and make the world a better place.” This book provides a useful springboard for discussion of many topics. This story is labeled Book One, so hopefully we will see more books from this author.
A recommended purchase!
