Book Review of The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City
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The Children’s Book Review
The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City
Written by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay
Illustrated by Sanna Sjöström
Ages: 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Kendam Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9900050-0-6
What to Expect: New York City, travel, and new experiences.
In this lovely picture book, readers will join an endearingly cute canine protagonist for some classic armchair adventure, sparking their imagination and curiosity about the world around them.
Charlie Wags is a dog with a very special talent—when he wags his tail, he is magically transported to wherever he wants to go! With a talent like that, it’s not surprising that Charlie likes to travel, and today he is visiting one of the coolest cities in the world—New York City. Starting in Central Park, Charlie explores the amazing sights and sounds of the city, from the music and wonderful shows on Broadway to the neon magic of Times Square. He tastes the best food the city has to offer and sees some of its iconic landmarks. Then, it’s time to wag his tail again and get back home—because travel is fun, but home is best!
Charlie is not only cute—he’s also curious, making him the perfect host for this educational travelogue. The story uses simple rhyming language and an uncomplicated plot to teach readers about the joys of travel, including the fun of coming home again (and planning your next trip). The book’s best feature is the beautiful watercolor artwork, which brings the city’s beauty to glowing life and captures its vibrancy and diversity.
The Tales of Charlie Wags is a delightful book that introduces young readers to the joys of travel—and New York City!
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About the Authors
Sister-author duo Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay form the writing team behind The Tales of Charlie Wags picture book series.
As daughters of immigrants, their family heritage exposed the sisters to the importance of cultural diversity early on. Their parents prioritized showing them the world, even on a tight budget, instilling in them the idea that travel is one of the best forms of education.
Knowing that not all children had the chance to explore the world firsthand, they put pen to paper to create a tale about a globetrotting dog. They hoped their story would allow young readers to experience the wonders of the world without ever having to leave their homes.
Their series mission is simple: provide a conversational understanding of the world’s most famous cities through charming stories that make far-off places accessible to every child and family.
For more information, check out charliewags.com
About the Illustrator
Sanna Sjöström, known professionally as Sannadorable, has loved art her whole life. With an extensive background in watercolor painting, she found it increasingly difficult to find the time and energy for her art after having children. Realizing how quickly she could access her iPad, Sanna began experimenting with digital art, skillfully mimicking the look of watercolor.
Today, Sanna illustrates children’s books, but also creates posters, cards, and digital illustration tools. She aims to bring joy and smiles to people’s faces through her creations.
Sanna’s distinctive style—rooted in her deep appreciation for nature and her love for finding beauty in the ordinary—brings iconic cities to life in enchanting, rose-colored hues throughout The Tales of Charlie Wags series.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City. Learn more about getting a book review
