Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Sophie's Squash
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Random House, 2013 ISBN: 978-0307978967
One fall day Sophie and her parents went to the farmer’s market. Sophie chose a little squash, which her parents intended to cook for dinner that evening. When she got home Sophie realized that her squash was the perfect size and shape to hold in her arms. She drew a face on the squash and put it to sleep wrapped in a blanket. As far as Sophie was concerned the squash was her friend and her name was Bernice.
From that day on, Bernice and Sophie were inseparable. They went everywhere and did everything together. Sophie’s mother told her daughter that the day would come when Bernice would become “mushy and gross.” A squash could not be a friend and maybe they should “bake her with marshmallows.” Sophie refused to consider such an act of squashicide. She refused to play with another toy, and she refused to donate Bernice to the food pantry. Sophie was convinced that Bernice would “last forever.”
Children often make friends with unconventional things like rocks, balloons and balled up socks. In this charming picture book the author celebrates just such a friendship, and she reminds us that a friend is a friend. Even if it is a vegetable.
