Sophie's Squash

Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
Look inside
Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!

On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

The recipient of four starred reviews, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, Sophie's Squash will be a fresh addition to any collection of autumn books.
© Courtesy of the author
PAT ZIETLOW MILLER is a children's book lover and the creative force behind the blog Read, Write, Repeat, where she reviews books for young readers. Sophie's Squash, her first picture book, is based on a true story—her own daughter, Sonia, once loved a squash. Her second picture book, Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story, will also be published by Schwartz & Wade Books. View titles by Pat Zietlow Miller
Anne Wilsdorf has illustrated over twenty books for children, including Pat Zietlow Miller's beloved Sophie's Squash which received four starred reviews, in addition to an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor and a Charlotte Zotolow Honor. Anne also illustrated its sequel Sophie's Squash Go to School, as well as Peggy Archer's A Hippy-Hoppy Toad, Susan McElroy Montanari's My Dog's a Chicken, Elizabeth Bluemle's Dogs on the Bed, and Eileen Spinelli's The Best Story. She lives in Switzerland. View titles by Anne Wilsdorf
  • WINNER
    Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
  • WINNER
    Golden Kite Award for Fiction
  • WINNER
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • HONOR | 2014
    Charlotte Zolotow Award
  • HONOR | 2014
    Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award
  • SELECTION | 2014
    Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year
"In a perfect blend of story and art, the humorous watercolor-and-ink illustrations are bursting with color and energy on every page... This is a paean to love and friendship, which can come in all species, shapes, and sizes."--Booklist, starred review

"With lessons on life, love, and vegetable gardening, this tale will be cherished by children, and their parents will be happy to read it to them often."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Sensitive but funny... Miller’s easygoing storytelling taps into the familiar scenario of children making fierce attachments to favorite objects."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This season-spanning turn with high-spirited Sophie offers endearing lessons about nurture and regeneration."--Kirkus Review, starred review

About

Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!

On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

The recipient of four starred reviews, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, Sophie's Squash will be a fresh addition to any collection of autumn books.

Author

© Courtesy of the author
PAT ZIETLOW MILLER is a children's book lover and the creative force behind the blog Read, Write, Repeat, where she reviews books for young readers. Sophie's Squash, her first picture book, is based on a true story—her own daughter, Sonia, once loved a squash. Her second picture book, Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story, will also be published by Schwartz & Wade Books. View titles by Pat Zietlow Miller
Anne Wilsdorf has illustrated over twenty books for children, including Pat Zietlow Miller's beloved Sophie's Squash which received four starred reviews, in addition to an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor and a Charlotte Zotolow Honor. Anne also illustrated its sequel Sophie's Squash Go to School, as well as Peggy Archer's A Hippy-Hoppy Toad, Susan McElroy Montanari's My Dog's a Chicken, Elizabeth Bluemle's Dogs on the Bed, and Eileen Spinelli's The Best Story. She lives in Switzerland. View titles by Anne Wilsdorf

Awards

  • WINNER
    Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
  • WINNER
    Golden Kite Award for Fiction
  • WINNER
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • HONOR | 2014
    Charlotte Zolotow Award
  • HONOR | 2014
    Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award
  • SELECTION | 2014
    Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year

Praise

"In a perfect blend of story and art, the humorous watercolor-and-ink illustrations are bursting with color and energy on every page... This is a paean to love and friendship, which can come in all species, shapes, and sizes."--Booklist, starred review

"With lessons on life, love, and vegetable gardening, this tale will be cherished by children, and their parents will be happy to read it to them often."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Sensitive but funny... Miller’s easygoing storytelling taps into the familiar scenario of children making fierce attachments to favorite objects."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This season-spanning turn with high-spirited Sophie offers endearing lessons about nurture and regeneration."--Kirkus Review, starred review

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