{"id":22340,"date":"2013-12-04T22:22:14","date_gmt":"2013-12-05T02:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=22340"},"modified":"2013-12-04T22:22:14","modified_gmt":"2013-12-05T02:22:14","slug":"review-of-sophies-squash-by-pat-zietlow-miller-and-anne-wilsdorf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=22340","title":{"rendered":"Review of Sophie’s Squash, by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Sophie\u2019s Squash<\/em><\/p>\n

by Pat Zietlow Miller
\nillustrated by Anne Wilsdorf<\/p>\n

Schwartz & Wade Books, New York, 2013. 36 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Something about this quirky book completely won my heart. I mean, how could the author think of this? Turns out, it\u2019s based on something her own daughter did \u2013 which makes sense, since no one could make this up. Thanks to Travis Jonker from 100 Scope Notes<\/a> for bringing it to my attention! <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the book begins:<\/p>\n

One bright fall day, Sophie chose a squash at the farmer\u2019s market. Her parents planned to serve it for supper, but Sophie had other ideas.<\/p>\n

It was just the right size to hold in her arms.
\nJust the right size to bounce on her knee.
\nJust the right size to love.
\n\u201cI\u2019m glad we met,\u201d Sophie whispered. \u201cGood friends are hard to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

At home, Sophie used markers to give her squash a face. Then she wrapped it in a blanket and rocked it to sleep.<\/p>\n

When it was time to make supper, Sophie\u2019s mother looked at the squash. She looked at Sophie.
\n\u201cI call her Bernice,\u201d Sophie said.
\n\u201cI\u2019ll call for a pizza,\u201d said her mother.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From there, Sophie has an always-happy companion.<\/p>\n

But this book is much more realistic than some others like Arnie the Doughnut.<\/em> I love the portrayal of Sophie\u2019s parents, with lines like, \u201cWell, we did hope she\u2019d love vegetables.\u201d And \u201cWhy don\u2019t we donate Bernice to the food pantry before she rots?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before long, Sophie\u2019s father calls Bernice \u201ca little blotchy,\u201d but Sophie insists she only has freckles. Finally, Sophie takes Bernice to the farmer\u2019s market to cheer her up and gets advice from a farmer. She makes Bernice a bed of soft soil for the winter \u2013 and there is the happiest of endings when Sophie discovers Bernice\u2019s children and gets two new friends who are just the right size to love.<\/p>\n

The pictures in this book are perfect. Imaginative Sophie with her perky pigtails goes through all the emotions of love and loss and new discovery.<\/p>\n

This absolutely charming book is a completely new take on the classic story of Two Best Friends.<\/p>\n

patzietlowmiller.com<\/a>
\nrandomhouse.com\/kids<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/sophies_squash.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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