Squash, the Cat

by Sasha Mayer (Author)

Squash, the Cat
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

A captivating story about a friendship lost and found between a cat named Squash and her constant companion Maggie.

Squash, who looks a lot like the vegetable, is an early-breakfast, lots-of-naps kind of cat. Maggie is a wake-up-late, wild-playdate kind of girl. Despite their differences, they are the best of friends. That is until one day Squash confuses Maggie's new toy for a dangerous beast and makes a terrible mistake. An unbelievably BIG MISTAKE. Now Squash is a can't-face-Maggie kind of cat, and Maggie is a wishes-she-had-her-toy kind of girl. But the thing about best friends is, one way or another, they always a way back to each other. In this story of accountability and forgiveness, these cute characters help kids learn the important lesson of owning up to your actions and being able to accept an apology.

Best friends fight and teaching young readers how to deal with it when it happens, is an invaluable social emotional learning skill. Squash and Maggie show kids how easy it can be.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

Funny, clever, and heartwarming.

School Library Journal

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.

Review quotes



Sasha Mayer
Sasha Mayer is an illustrator and writer with a background in children's entertainment. She is a former brand designer for Mattel and was one of the creators of the billion dollar doll brand Monster High. She lives in Los Angeles with her boys, husband, and Maltipoo. Sasha wishes she could have a cat too, but her husband is allergic. So, she wrote about one instead. Squash is her debut picture book.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593566534
Lexile Measure
370
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Studio
Publication date
August 29, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002050 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Cats
Library of Congress categories
Cats
Friendship
Individual differences

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