Book Review of Sophie the Stylish Scientist
Sponsored* | All opinions are our own
The Children’s Book Review
Sophie the Stylish Scientist
Written by Lauren Iacobelli
Illustrated by Eleanor Maber
Ages: 5-8 | 48 Pages
Publisher: FriesenPress (2026) | ISBN: 978-103913147-7
What to Expect: Fashion, science, stereotypes, self-belief, bravery.
Fun and inspiring, this chic, stylish picture book combines spirited messaging about stereotypes and assumptions with a celebration of STEM.
Sophie is completely enamored with fashion—there’s nothing she loves better than designing the perfect outfit. However, there’s something Sophie loves just as much as fashion, and that’s … science! As the day of the big science fair approaches, Sophie couldn’t be more excited—she’s wearing her most stylish lab coat, ready to dazzle the audience with her creations. And even better—it’s Coco Chanel presenting the show. But then, disaster—before they’ve even seen Sophie’s project, the audience has laughed Sophie off the stage. And why? Because she doesn’t look like a scientist! Luckily, Sophie isn’t going to let anything as silly as a stereotype stand in the way of her dreams. First prize, here comes stylish Sophie!
The main character, Sophie, is determined and courageous, and any reader who has ever been judged by their appearance is sure to love her resilience in the face of stereotyped assumptions about her abilities. Zippy rhyming text is paired with cartoon artwork in cool pastels and timeless black, helping each page sparkle with the same elegance as Sophie herself, and adding undeniable glamour to the timeless story of science-fair success.
Perfect for classroom and home discussions about stereotyping, Sophie the Stylish Scientist is especially ideal for girls who deeply feel the truth that being feminine and being smart are not mutually exclusive.
Buy the Book
About the Author
Lauren Iacobelli is the author of Sophie the Stylish Scientist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where her research focused on chemotherapeutic drug targets for metastatic cancers.
The inspiration for Sophie came from a real-life experience while preparing to defend her graduate research. After arriving to present her work in a pair of Sophia Webster heels, she was told, “Scientists don’t wear shoes like that.” Lauren began reflecting on the stereotypes that often tell girls they must choose between being smart and being themselves. She wrote Sophie to challenge that message and to remind young readers that their curiosity, creativity, intelligence, and individuality can coexist beautifully.
At the heart of Lauren’s work is a simple belief: children should never feel they have to shrink parts of themselves to belong. Through Sophie’s story, Lauren hopes to inspire the next generation of girls in STEM to embrace everything that makes them unique.
Lauren lives with her husband in Southwestern Ontario.
For more information, visit www.sophiethestylishscientist.com.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Sophie the Stylish Scientist. Learn more about getting a book review …
