It's a pumpkin spice showdown! Acorn Squash wants her fair share of the seasonal spotlight in this hilarious "odd couple" picture book with plenty of fall flair."This fall-themed story of friendship is bursting with puns and adorable, big-eyed vegetables."—School Library JournalIt’s not easy being best friends with Pumpkin. Each fall, she’s everyone’s favorite gourd. The queen of lattes, the ultimate pie, the STAR of autumn—pumpkin spice is EVERYWHERE!
But now Acorn Squash has #SquashGoals. She’s going to prove she has something to offer too.
Voila! It’s Acorn Squash
everything!
In this heartwarming and humorous tale of seasonal rivalry, plucky Acorn Squash is determined to step out of Pumpkin's trendy shadow and into the autumnal limelight.
From a harvest festival booth to an unexpected partnership, this story of friendship and self-discovery will teach kids that everyone has something special to offer, and being someone's favorite can be the best feeling of all.
Join the adventure as Squash and Pumpkin unite, proving that together they are the true spice of the season!
On sale: August 26, 2025
Age: 3-7 years
Grade: Preschool - 2
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780593805909
Reading level: Fountas/Pinnell: N
G.G. McQUEEN has been a TV writer for
The Great American Baking Show,
Secret Guide to Fabulous, and MTV's
VMAs. She has also performed improv and sketch comedy around New York City.
Squash and Pumpkin: #SquashGoals is her first children's book.
MICHAEL SLACK is an artist, illustrator, character designer, and award-winning app designer. He has illustrated many funny picture books, including
Kitties On Dinosaurs, which he also authored, and
Nugget & Fang by Tammi Sauer. He lives with his family in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"This
lively fall story about friendship and collaboration
will boost children’s feelings of empathy. . . . The
cheery, dynamic illustrations, bursting with bright autumnal colors and personable, googly-eyed characters, are delightful. . . .
A charming story to fall into in autumn or any season; it might even tempt kids to try acorn squash."—
Kirkus
"
A clever fall read. Readers will enjoy Acorn Squash’s ingenuity when he tries to sell people on squash jerky or Squilk, a new squash milk.
Children will recognize feelings of jealousy when Pumpkin takes center stage
but also appreciate how the two main characters recognize that friendship is more important than fame. This fall-themed story of friendship is
bursting with puns and
adorable, big-eyed vegetables."—
School Library Journal
