This is fifth in the 'Sophie' series by Dick King-Smith, featuring a small but determined girl who wants to be a lady farmer when she grows up. I have just finished reading it to a six-year-old friend who enjoyed it very much, as did I.

In this book, Sophie gets the wrong idea about doing a sponsored walk, tries to make her teacher better informed when the class topic is 'farming', goes on a school trip, stars in a school play... and eventually starts riding lessons.

The characterisation is wonderful, with the small but determined Sophie being easy to relate to, and very likeable. She has strong moral principles, although she is rather scathing about people she considers to be wimpy. Her twin brothers tease her but are fond of her deep down, and her parents must sometimes wonder just how they produced such a unique and intriguing small person.

Best read after the other Sophie books, but it stands alone too. Recommended for any children from the age of about five upwards, either to read aloud to them or for independent reading. ( )