June 15, 2023
Squash the cat and his owner, a little girl named Maggie, are BFFs until Squash commits a big blunder. While Maggie, a light-skinned child with a head of tousled reddish curls, is a bit more exuberant than nap-loving Squash, the two are nevertheless "perfect-for-each-other best friends." Each day they share a wonderful breakfast (Squash knocks a box of doughnuts off the top of the fridge, with Maggie waiting below to catch them), and Squash puts an end to Maggie's boring music lesson by coughing up a hairball on the minuet, to the music teacher's horror. The giggles will only increase--along with some apprehension--when Squash mistakes Maggie's new toy tunnel for a big snake about to devour the girl...and acts accordingly. With the tunnel now slashed to ribbons, Maggie is furious, and Squash is "a can't-eat, can't-sleep...can't-face-his-Maggie kind of cat." After several funny but sad pages depicting Squash's reaction to Maggie's anger, the narrator gently asserts that friendship is not perfect, and in a satisfying conclusion, the two literally and figuratively mend their rift. The colorful, sketchy, cartoonish art complements and extends the delightfully playful text that's full of alliteration and understatement as well as engaging strings of hyphenated words that describe the protagonists. This tale would make an excellent read-aloud in small groups so that little ones can pick out details in the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Funny, clever, and heartwarming. (Picture book. 4-8)
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August 1, 2023
PreS-Gr 1-Mayer's new book is an ode to the journey of friendship, including the bumps, bruises, and bandages acquired along the way. Squash is an adorable squash-shaped orange cat readers will love. Maggie is a warmhearted, fun-loving child who adores her best-friend-cat. They are perfect together, until tragedy strikes, and Squash destroys Maggie's new gift. There are times that feelings are so big, children do not know how to deal with them. Mayer beautifully illustrates one coping strategy: giving each other time. This is a great lesson to learn and is presented in a fun, clever, child-friendly way. Mayer's illustrations perfectly depict the range of emotions faced by Maggie and Squash. VERDICT Worth the purchase to have on hand for families needing materials depicting lessons on friendship and those who just love a gratifying story about two best friends.-Cassie Veselovsky
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 15, 2024
Maggie's cat, Squash, has difficulty adjusting to the child's new pillow. The dynamic duo--consisting of energetic, flame-haired, light-skinned Maggie and her nap-loving orange feline--have returned. As in the first book, the text playfully and cleverly strings words together to spotlight the differences between the best friends. Squash is a "sleeping-in-the-sunshine, celebrating-from-the-sidelines, and then a nap-in-a-lap kind of cat," while Maggie is a "playing-pirates, sparkling-in-the-sunlight, and producing-powerful-potions kind of" girl. When the two cuddle up at bedtime, they form a "cozy Squash-Maggosh circle--just the two of them." Trouble arises when Maggie excitedly receives an eye-patched, squarish pillow shaped like a pirate. Squash's uneasy jealousy turns to desperation when Maggie cuddles up with Pirate Lou Pillow at bedtime. While the text slyly uses understatement to great effect, the scribbly cartoon art becomes laugh-out-loud funny as Squash unsuccessfully tries to get rid of Lou while Maggie sleeps. Readers will identify with the cat's feelings but also understand Maggie's reactions as she repairs a scratched-up Lou and banishes Squash from her bed. Next, the plump feline gets stuck in the cat door as he tries to drag Lou outside for morning trash pickup. When Maggie rescues him and gently puts him to bed, he realizes that he misses the soft pillow pirate. Once again, Mayer explores friendship and the often-complex emotions it gives rise to, using a light touch and bringing her tale to a warm ending. Another hilarious romp with this undeniably charismatic pair.(Picture book. 4-8)
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February 1, 2025
Preschool-Grade 2 Squash the cat is a very particular type of cat, and Maggie, his human best friend, is a very particular kind of girl. Despite their different personalities, they make a perfect pair, and at no time is this more apparent than during bedtime snuggles. But when a new toy, Pirate Lou, appears on the scene, Maggie is thrilled while Squash is suspicious, and his worst fears are confirmed when Pirate Lou takes his place in Maggie's arms at night. The frustrated feline schemes how best to rid himself of the pesky pirate, but his crafty campaign puts him and Maggie on the outs. Can Squash find a way to make peace with the pirate and amends with Maggie? This sweet sequel is an absolute charmer, and Squash's amusingly illustrated antics will send its audience into gales of giggles. There's plenty of humor, but the book also takes everyone's discomfort seriously, and readers will relate easily to complicated feelings of jealousy and exclusion. A wonderfully warm and witty reminder to keep an open heart
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