http://www.slj.com The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:52:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://www.slj.com/2013/07/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-sophies-squash/ http://www.slj.com/2013/07/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-sophies-squash/#comments Mon, 29 Jul 2013 09:00:58 +0000 SLJ http://www.slj.com/?p=54094 MILLER, Pat Zietlow. Sophie’s Squash. illus. by Anne Wilsdorf. 40p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97896-7; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97897-4. LC 2012006438.
K-Gr 2–“Good friends are hard to find,” says Sophie to her best buddy, Bernice. This must be so, because Bernice is a farmers’ market squash. The fruit is supposed to be for supper, but all bets are off when Sophie gives it a face and a name. The two friends are inseparable, visiting the library and other squash at the market, practicing somersaults on the hill…and every night Sophie gives Bernice a baby bottle and tucks her into a cradle. (“Well, we did hope she’d love vegetables,” Sophie’s mother observes.) Countless stories exist about girls’ exploits with their dolls or stuffed animals. Few, if any, feature healthy produce. But the tale of Sophie and Bernice is charming and even suspenseful as the title character reluctantly realizes that her squash will not last forever. Miller’s sweet and lively story is perfectly matched by Wilsdorf’s expert ink and watercolor illustrations. 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.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

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