Q&A with Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay

 

 

 

Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay are the authors of the new children's picture book The Tales of Charlie Wags: London. They also have written the book The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City. They are sisters.

 

Q: Why did you choose London for your new Charlie Wags story?

 

A: London is one of the most iconic cities in the world—and also one of our absolute favorites. We’ve had the pleasure of visiting many times, and Ali studied abroad there during college.

 

When we first mapped out this series, the first three locations were no-brainers. With so many incredible cities to choose from, London stood out as a must—its history, charm, and timeless appeal made it the perfect place for Charlie Wags to explore

 

Q: What do you think Sanna Sjöström's illustrations add to this new book?

 

A: Beyond the obvious—charm, whimsy, dreamy watercolor, and incredible attention to detail—Sanna has a gift for capturing landmarks in a way that feels both realistic and fantastical.

 

That’s exactly what we envisioned for this series. It’s a balance between education and enchantment—helping kids recognize these famous landmarks while immersing them in the wonder of Charlie’s world. He’s a magical traveling pup, after all! His world can be a bit more indulgent than ours.

 

This book also marked a shift in our creative process. With The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City, we meticulously storyboarded every page.

 

By the time London rolled around four months later, we trusted Sanna completely. We basically turned over the story text and a few inspiration photos on a document and said, “Have at it!” The only notes we gave were things like, “Make Big Ben and the London Eye feel Peter Pan-y.”

 

And she absolutely nailed it. Watching her take full creative control in this book was a turning point—it solidified the trust and partnership we now have, which we deeply value.

Q: Did you learn anything new or surprising about London while working on the story?

 

A: Even with cities we’re fairly familiar with, we always discover new things while researching for the Paws and Learn: Landmarks Unleashed! section. For those unfamiliar, each Charlie Wags book ends with a fun, engaging breakdown of the landmarks Charlie visits—along with a conversation starter for kids and their caretakers.

 

One fact that surprised us is that Borough Market dates back to the 12th century. We admittedly had no idea it had such a long and rich history. We’ve been there before and thought of it as a fun spot for incredible food and photo ops, but learning about its historical roots gave us a whole new appreciation for it.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: One of the things we love most about these stories is how they can meet families wherever they are. If you’re planning a trip to London, this book can help little ones recognize landmarks and build excitement before they even step off the plane.

 

If a visit isn’t in the cards due to cranky toddlers on strict nap schedules, that’s okay, too—Charlie’s adventures are a way to bring the educational value of travel right into your home.

 

But at its core, we wrote these books for families who may not have the opportunity to visit these places at all. Travel has shaped our lives in immeasurable ways—whether it’s connecting with people from different backgrounds or simply feeling more at home in the world.

 

Our goal is to offer children a fun, accessible introduction to some of the world’s most iconic cities, planting little seeds of curiosity along the way.

 

Maybe it sparks a love for travel, a fascination with history, or even just a recognition of a famous landmark. But if a child finishes this book knowing Big Ben is in London and feels a little more connected to (and intrigued about) the world around them, we consider that a win.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: While the first two books in the series, New York City and London, were completed in 2023, they’ve only just been released in the past few months. Right now, we’re focused on getting them into the hands of readers while also preparing for the next two books in the series, both set to launch later this year.

 

Looking ahead, books 5 and 6 are fully written and edited and are now in the illustration phase. Books 7 and 8 are in the research and writing phases. And the best part? We’re doing it all while juggling life with newborns!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay. This post was created in partnership with Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay. Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City, a collection of adorable Charlie Wags greeting cards, AND a $50 Amazon gift card to fuel your next reading spree!