Lucky and Squash facts for kids
Cover
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| Author | Jeanne Birdsall |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jane Dyer |
| Cover artist | Jane Dyer |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Dogs Friendship Matchmaking |
| Genre | Picture book |
| Set in | New York City, United States |
| Published | 2012 (Harper) |
| Pages | 32 |
| ISBN | 0060831502 |
| OCLC | 651153674 |
| E BIR | |
| LC Class | PZ7.B51197Luc 2012 |
Lucky and Squash is a 2012 American children's book written by Jeanne Birdsall and illustrated with watercolor paintings by Jane Dyer published by Harper. The two eponymous characters are dogs based on Birdsall's and Dyer's actual dogs, Cagney and Scuppers, a Boston Terrier and a Tibetan Terrier respectively.
Lucky and Squash received generally positive reviews. A School Library Journal article praises Birdsall's writing, describing the story as funny, sweet, heartwarming, and suspenseful. A Publishers Weekly review refers to Lucky and Squash as almost being "Emma meets Ferris Bueller's Day Off with wagging tails" and states that Birdsall's "genial, intimate storytelling instantly establishes a bond with readers". A Booklist reviewer compares the story's dog characters to Pyramus and Thisbe, lovers in Ovid's Metamorphoses who, frustrated by being separated by a wall, conspire to run away together. An article in Kirkus Reviews calls the illustrations charming and says that they "have all the clever details that are Dyer's signature touch".
Background
Lucky and Squash is a children's book by Jeanne Birdsall, author of Flora's Very Windy Day. It is illustrated with watercolor paintings by Jane Dyer, illustrator of more than fifty books. Lucky and Squash was published in 2012 by Harper. The book is appropriate for children between the ages of 3 and 7. The eponymous characters are dogs, Lucky being a brave Lhasa Apso and Squash being a smart Boston Terrier. They are based on two real dogs who had known each other since they were puppies and had often played together: Cagney, Birdsall's Boston Terrier; and Scuppers, Dyer's Tibetan Terrier.
Plot
Lucky and Squash are neighbors separated by a fence that prevents them from playing together. Lucky's owner, Mr. Bernard, and Squash's owner, Miss Violet, are both single and have never spoken to each other because they are so shy. Lucky and Squash decide to run away hoping that, when their owners come rescue them, the two owners will meet, fall in love, and get married, thereby making the dogs "brothers" and allowing them to play together whenever they wish. Lucky and Squash escape from their respective yards three days in a row and go on adventures. The owners do meet and fall in love.
