When Sophie Thinks She Can't...

Written & illustrated by Molly Bang

Book #3 in the Sophie series

Sophie struggles with a puzzle, learning that 'I can't do it' is just 'I can't do it... yet.'

3.8/5 Goodreads · 383 ratings

40 pages· 584 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Sophie faces a daunting math puzzle, feeling overshadowed by her sister's smarts. Frustration mounts until her teacher introduces a new mindset: struggle means growth. As Sophie learns to embrace 'yet,' she discovers her potential. Will she solve the puzzle and find her confidence? Join Sophie on her journey of perseverance and see how a simple shift in thinking can change everything. At home, she even helps her dad with a carpentry challenge, proving that patience and effort lead to success. What do you do when you think, 'I can't'? Discover the power of 'yet.'

From the publisher

Three-time Caldecott Honor illustrator Molly Bang helps children solve problems by showing a different – and highly effective – approach: I can’t do it becomes I can’t do it… yet.When Sophie can’t solve a math puzzle, she feels upset and inadequate. I CAN’T DO IT! she shouts, expressing the frustration all of us feel when we try and fail. Will she ever be smart like her sister? Maybe she isn’t smart at all. Luckily Sophie’s teacher steps in. What does it mean to be smart? Using current, popular mindset techniques, Sophie’s class is taught that we get smarter when we exercise our brains, such as when we work harder at solving a puzzle. Struggling to solve a problem doesn’t mean I can’t do it! Sophie and her classmates just can’t do it… yet! Readers will cheer when Sophie finally prevails, and at the end of the day, she’s confident and optimistic. At home, Sophie uses her new technique to help her dad solve a carpentry puzzle. In this third book about Sophie, Molly Bang again helps children deal with a challenging everyday issue, providing an opening to ask: What do you do when you think, I can’t!?

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