When I started reading The Tales of Charlie Wags: London by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay, I knew I was in for a proper treat—like a biscuit dunked in a perfect cuppa! I previously reviewed their book The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City and loved every minute of Charlie’s adventures—at this rate, he’s becoming such a globetrotting pup, I half expect to see him starring in his own travel documentary!
MY REVIEW
The Tales of Charlie Wags: London by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay is a delightful adventure that perfectly captures the charm of London through the eyes of its lovable canine protagonist, Charlie Wags. With stunning illustrations, this book brings the city to life in a way that feels both magical and immersive. The story is simple yet engaging, making it an easy and enjoyable read for young adventurers.
Charlie Wags travels to London, where he trots off to see iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Borough Market, and the London Eye. Kids aged 4 to 8 will love following Charlie Wags on his journey, making this a perfect read for young explorers and animal lovers alike!
The authors make every landmark feel like a new discovery, and the illustrations add warmth and personality to the journey. Charlie Wags is an irresistible guide—full of curiosity, mischief, and an infectious love for adventure. My favorite scene is the Crown Jewels scene—it had a sense of beauty, with the jewels glowing against the darkness of the page. I also loved that the authors chose to show us The London Eye at night, under the stars. It really allows a child to picture London at any time of day, adding a touch of wonder and magic to the story.
One thing I especially loved was the eye-catching ‘Paws and Learn’ page at the end of the book—it adds an interactive element that makes the story even more engaging, blending adventure with learning in a way that’s both entertaining and educational. The book series overall has received positive recognition, with Kirkus Reviews calling it “An educational and well-illustrated magical exploration of major world cities.” I highly recommend this book—whether it’s for a cozy bedtime read or to secretly turn your kids into little travel buffs, it’s a win-win!
From the bustling streets of London to its most iconic landmarks, The Tales of Charlie Wags: London takes young readers on an unforgettable adventure with the most charming globetrotting pup around!
Check out my review of Charlie Wags: New York City here.
DISCLOSURE
This post is sponsored by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
GIVEAWAY
Enter our 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!
Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/the-tales-of-charlie-wags-london-awareness-tour/
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Tales of Charlie Wags: London
Written by Ali Barclay and Sofie Wells
Illustrated by Sanna Sjöström
Ages: 3-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Kendam Press LLC (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9900050-2-0
Publisher’s Book Summary: Charlie Wags is a seemingly ordinary pup. He goes on daily walks, chases squirrels, and scours the kitchen floor for crumbs when no one’s looking.
But Charlie has an extraordinary secret. He loves to travel the world and has a special trick to do so: his wagging tail can whisk him away to far-off places!
This time, he’s off to London, England!
Embark on a panoramic tour of London led by ever-curious pup, Charlie Wags! From the grandeur of Buckingham Palace to an evening ride on the London Eye, Charlie explores the Big Smoke before returning home for bedtime.
Wherever you may be, the world is just a wag away. ™
PURCHASE LINK
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Sister-author duo Ali Barclay and Sofie Wells form the writing team behind The Tales of Charlie Wags picture book series. The series offers young explorers a conversational understanding of the world’s most famous cities.
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. This instilled in them the idea that travel is one of the best forms of education.
Recognizing that not all children had the chance to explore the world firsthand, Sofie and Ali saw an opportunity to share their travel experiences with other families and children through charming stories that make far-off places accessible.
For more information, check out charliewags.com
https://www.instagram.com/thetalesofcharliewags
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564606622559
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Sanna Sjöström, also known as Sannadorable, is based in Sweden and creates stunning digital watercolor illustrations.
Sanna has loved art her whole life and has plenty of experience painting with watercolor. When she had children, she didn’t have the time or energy to pull out all the necessary supplies to paint. She found that her iPad was accessible in just seconds; so, she started mimicking watercolor digitally.
She now illustrates for children’s books, but also creates posters, cards, and digital illustration tools. Her biggest inspiration comes from flowers and nature. Sanna’s mission is to brighten your day and make you smile through her art.
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