Perfect Picture Book Friday…hurray! I must apologize for being somewhat absent from the blogging scene these last two months. With the exciting WOW Retreat in just a couple of days (WOO-HOO!) and my surgery looming at the beginning of August, preparing for both has gobbled up my time. But I’m thrilled to feature a brand new picture book from one of my favorite authors who will be our Will Write for Cookies guest tomorrow.

Before we get to the picture book review, we have some unfinished business to take care of. Last month I promised to give away a copy of Diana Murray’s, City Shapes. I asked that you leave a comment telling your favorite city. And you did…Boston, London, New Orleans, Singapore, Louisville, Toronto, Anchorage, Vancouver, Chattanooga, Amsterdam, Sarasota, Dublin, and New York City.

AND THE WINNER IS….

JENNIFER COLE JUDD

Congratulations, Jennifer. Please contact me at viviankirkfield@gmail.com so I can get that wonderful book to you ASAP.

And now for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday pick!

Sophie’s Squash Goes to School

Written by Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated by Ann Wilsdorf

Publisher: Schwartz and Wade (2016)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes: First day of school, friendship

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

This charming sequel to the beloved Sophie’s Squash is the perfect antidote to the back-to-school jitters. Sophie goes to school for the first time and has no interest in making friends that aren’t squash. Here’s a gently humorous read-aloud that proves that making friends, just like growing squash, takes time.

On Sophie’s first day of school, nobody appreciates her two best friends, Bonnie and Baxter, baby squash that she grew in her garden. Even worse, one classmate, Steven Green, won’t leave Sophie alone. He sits by her at circle time. He plays near her during recess. And he breathes on her while she paints. Steven just wants to be friends, but Sophie isn’t interested. Still, Sophie knows that her squash friends won’t last forever. Maybe it would be nice to have some human friends after all.

Why I like this book:

• Many children face the same issues of being attached to something they can’t bear to part with and not knowing how to reach out and make friends.
• I love that it is a first day of school story.
• The author does a fantastic job of engaging the listener/reader…and the illustrations marry perfectly with the text.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestionsIV with summaries and activities.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, dear friends and readers. And please don’t forget to come back tomorrow for:

Will Write for Cookies

With

Pat Zietlow Miller

AND A

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!