Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller | Review

The Children’s Book Review | November 8, 2013

Sophie’s Squash

By Pat Zietlow Miller; Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

Age Range: 3 – 7 years

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade; First Edition edition (August 6, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0307978967

What to expect: Friendship, Farmer’s Market, Girl Protagonist, Gardening, Fall/Autumn

This is the incredibly endearing story of a little girl who, after a trip to the farmer’s market with her parents, comes home with a squash. When she begins treating the squash as a pet—complete with a drawn on face—Mom realizes that her plans for squash soup will need to change.

Here are some reasons you will love this book:

• You’re looking for a tale about friendship that will warm your heart for the cooling weather.
• You’re looking for a book in which the protagonist LOVES vegetables—well, maybe not to eat.
• You would like a story about fall gardening and seasonal regeneration presented in a kid-friendly way.
• You’re looking for a wonderful read-aloud book with a lovable girl protagonist and delightful illustrations.

Author Pat Zietlow Miller has friendship, gardening, and seasonal regeneration covered with her genius story of Sophie and her new pet squash Bernice. When Bernice begins to rot, Sophie does what it takes to save her and thus the story of regeneration takes place and leads the readers to a very happy ending. Anne Wilsdorf’s watercolor and ink illustrations capture the essence of fall—the soft palette of colors and the ink markings provide young Sophie and Bernice with animated expressions and depth that capture the emotion of the text and beyond.

This is for every kid who has ever loved a toy (or inanimate object)!

Add this book to your collection: Sophie’s Squash