Sophie's Squash
Which came first, the text or the illustrations? It?s difficult to tell in this picture book because the two work so well with ? and off ? each other. The story (created by both text and art) is tender and funny with a big dose of comfort. Kids, who so easily grant inanimate objects the ability to feel emotion, will relate to Sophie?s attachment to a butternut squash with a magic-markered face. Parents will love the inside jokes (ex., mom prepares to make squash for supper, but after learning Sophie has named her squash Bernice, says she?ll ?call for pizza?). The story smoothly transitions over time as Sophie?s fresh squash begins to soften, becomes planted, sprouts in spring, and grows two new butternuts that, as Sophie declares, ?look just like your mom.? It?s a contemporary book with an old-fashioned storytelling feel that can be read again and again with pleasure.