Hints
of spring are in the air here, and I know my family is ready for warmer
weather. Days are getting a little longer and before we know it we’ll be
getting our garden ready. I can’t wait to help my dad do some digging in the
dirt, but until then I can read about gardens and the wonderful produce we get
from them. My little sister, Margo, picked up Sophie’s Squash when we visited the library recently. It’s
adorable!
Sophie
sees a squash that her mother planned to cook, but it was just the right size
to bounce on her knee and hold in her arms. They were instant friends, and
Sophie named her Bernice. Soon the two were going everywhere together. Although
her parents wanted her to give Bernice to a local food pantry before she started
to rot, Sophie wouldn’t hear of it. Nothing was going to happen to Bernice! She
loved Bernice! Even when little “freckles” start popping up on Bernice, Sophie
is not swayed. Will Sophie be able to handle it when her pal becomes
squishier? Is there anything she can do to help her squash? This sweet book has
a delightful ending that will bring a smile to your face.
Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf is a beautiful picture book with a story that melted my
heart. I can understand becoming attached to an inanimate object- so Sophie’s
love of Bernice seemed very realistic to me. Margo cracked up at all the things
Sophie and Bernice did together. The illustrations are cute and have a fun appeal. I was worried about how
Sophie would react when Bernice wasn’t in tip top shape anymore, but the
story moved to the next stage in the squash's life perfectly. The ending is
awesome, and I love that there's a follow-up book- Sophie’s Squash Go to
School. I know we’ll be picking it up soon. Until then, Margo will have me reading
this one over and over again.
Has anyone else read Sophie’s
Squash? Or have you read another book by Pat Zietlow Miller? We'd love to hear your
thoughts!
Happy reading!
~ F
