Recommended Picture Book: Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller

Title: Sophie's Squash

Author: Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013

Age: 3-7

Topic: Seasons, Fall, Squash, Friendship, Loyalty,

Opening:"One bright fall day, Sophie chose a squash at the farmer’s market. Her parents planned to serve it for supper, but Sophie had other ideas."

Summary: A young girl befriends a squash.

Resources: Download the activity page here and here. Fall is a great time to read this book. For science class, children can observe and document the changes in fall harvests like squash, pumpkins, apples and more.

My Review:
A sweet tale of love, loyalty and friendship. Sophie finds a quiet and loyal friend in a squash she picks up at the farmer’s market. She names it, Bernice. Her parents try to prepare her for what will happen to the squash as days and weeks pass. But Sophie believes her friend will last forever. That is, until she begins to notice the changes in her friend, Bernice. Sophie goes to the farmer’s market to find out how to help her friend. With her tips in place, Sophie waits all winter with her new friend, Ace, a goldfish. Spring brings Sophie, not just her friend Bernice, but a little surprise with it.