Meet the sisters
Behind the Tales
Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay are the Philadelphia-based sister duo behind The Tales of Charlie Wags, a rhyming picture book series that brings the world to children, wherever they are.
The idea was first dreamed up by Sofie in high school and pursued more seriously in 2022, once the sisters each had children of their own.
After two years of research, writing, and development, the sisters released their debut title in January 2025, with three additional books following that same year.
Their Buy a Book, Share an Adventure initiative donates a matching copy of every book purchased to a child facing long-term hospital care who could use an adventure.
The creator:
Sofie Wells
Sofie didn't perform "well" in school. She knew she was capable, but the classroom didn’t always reflect how she learned or thought. Growing up in a multicultural home where three languages were spoken, learning felt more natural through conversation, experience, and real-world ideas than through textbooks.
Sofie did feel confident when speaking with adults, equipped with information about the places around the world she had visited with her family.
As daughters of immigrants with Argentine and Greek roots, their parents made it a priority to show them the world, even with limited means. Those experiences instilled a lasting belief that travel is one of the most powerful forms of education.
Sofie recognized early on that understanding the wider world was a way to connect, and that many children didn’t have access to those same experiences. That would spark an idea that would stay with her for years: a children’s book series about a dog who travels the world, making culture, geography, and global curiosity approachable for families everywhere.
The author:
Ali Barclay
Becoming an author was never part of Ali’s plan, despite the signs pointing her in that direction. She always loved books and considers writing her love language, yet somehow missed the connection. After all, being an author is for the lucky few… right?
That changed with the upheaval that is becoming a parent. Through storytime with her daughter, Ali rediscovered the simple magic of children’s books and the way ordinary things became enchanting again.
It was then she realized books are more than a bedtime routine. They are often a child’s first introduction to real people, places, and ideas—sometimes long before they encounter them in the world.
All the while, Sofie had been gently nudging Ali for years to bring a long-imagined idea to life: a children's book series about a sweet dog who could broaden perspectives, right from home. Together, they finally decided to make it real.
Tail-Wagging Praise for
Charlie wags
Wells and Barclay tell a very gentle and sweet story."
Kirkus Reviews
Authors Wells and Barclay started this darling series with the hope of giving young readers a glimpse of the big, bright world around them, and this first installment does just that."
Booklife by Publishers Weekly
...a winning formula that the creators seem poised to use with other destinations."
BlueInk for Booklist
awards & recognitions
New York City
- 2025 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards: Honorable Mention, Best Children’s Book
- 2024 SPR Book Awards: Finalist
London
- Kirkus Reviews: "Get It" Verdict
Paris
- booklife by Publishers Weekly: Editor’s Pick
- Kirkus Reviews: "Get It" Verdict
European Christmas Adventure
- booklife by Publishers Weekly: Editor’s Pick
- Kirkus Reviews: "Get It" Verdict
- Featured on “28 Indies Worth Discovering” — Kirkus Reviews
