Squash, the Cat: Stuck in the Middle

by Sasha Mayer

Overview

Squash, a lap-loving cat, and Maggie, a spotlight-loving girl, are inseparable best friends until a new pirate toy captures Maggie's attention, leaving Squash feeling left out and jealous.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593566565
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.38(w) x 10.31(h) x 0.42(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

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 a Maltipoo. Sasha wishes she could have a cat too, but her husband is allergic. So, she wrote about one instead.

Editorial Reviews

"Another hilarious romp with this undeniably charismatic pair." —Kirkus Reviews

"A wonderfully warm and witty reminder to keep an open heart." —Booklist

From the Publisher

2024-10-12
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)

Kirkus Reviews