Enola’s Best Friend

In this read for Sophie’s Squash fans, Enola’s grandmother, Mimi, radiates affirmation—whenever her granddaughter visits, “She let Enola stay up late. She made the best snacks,” and she builds a sofa fort for Enola to sleep in. Grandma Mimi doesn’t even blink when Enola becomes enamored of her first-ever hot dog and decides to make the “perfectly friend-shaped” comestible a chum. Acrylic ink and watercolor compositions, rendered in beachy colors and crisp lines, show impressively tattooed Grandma Mimi merrily obliging her granddaughter in the swimming pool, on the golf course, and even at bingo, where Hot Dog wins twice. But as the day draws to a close, Grandma’s pet dog, Hoagie, finally devours Hot Dog in one gulp. “HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN!” wails a red-faced and tearful Enola, refusing to forgive either her grandmother or the hound. Though the ending feels a bit drawn out, Kordesh (Sam with Ants in His Pants), making her solo debut, pushes a goofy premise far enough to establish an unconditional affection between generations and species, as well as allow Enola to credibly find her way back to relationships that clearly mean the world to her. Enola and Mimi are portrayed with pale skin. Ages 4–8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Aug.)