Title: Maddi's Fridge
by Lois Brandt
Flashlight Press, 2014
Themes: hunger, friends, sharing
Flashlight Press, 2014
Themes: hunger, friends, sharing
Story Summary
Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, play in the
same park, and both have pesky little brothers. But while Sofia's fridge at home is full of milk and
eggs and tortillas and cheese and lettuce and jam and even half a can of
dog food, Maddi's fridge is empty -with just a small container of milk for her
brother, Ryan.“Why doesn’t your mom go the grocery store?” Sofia asked.
“We don’t have any money.”
“What if you get hungry?”
“We have some bread,” Maddi said.
Sofia promises Maddi she won't tell, but she wants to help. Sofia sneaks food for Maddi in her backpack. Even though fish and eggs are good for people, they aren't very good for backpacks. Despite Sofia's very best efforts, Maddi's fridge is still empty.
All the while, normal life goes on. Each day at the park,
Maddi encourages Sofia to climb a wall. It wasn't until Maddi
offers a hand to Sofia that Sofia could make it successfully to the top of the
climbing wall. A lesson in "friends helping friends."
Then, one day, Sofia breaks down, telling her mom about Maddi. The mama is quick to bring groceries to Maddi's family. At first Maddi is a little mad at Sofia, but quickly forgives her after they talk about the importance of friends helping out friends.
Then, one day, Sofia breaks down, telling her mom about Maddi. The mama is quick to bring groceries to Maddi's family. At first Maddi is a little mad at Sofia, but quickly forgives her after they talk about the importance of friends helping out friends.
I love this book's gently shared lesson of Friends helping Friends.
Also it encourages kids to tell an adult
when their friend is in trouble, even if it means breaking a promise.
Resources: Activities for Home and Classroom
Let's Help Our Friends Who Have Empty Refrigerators!
http://www.loisbrandt.com/#!take-action/c22pz
Cheesy Pizza Bomb Recipe
http://www.loisbrandt.com/#!cheesy-pizza-bombs/chxs
Cheesy Pizza Bomb Recipe
http://www.loisbrandt.com/#!cheesy-pizza-bombs/chxs
Friends Helping
Friends
Fun Maze
Decorate
Maddi’s Fridge
http://media.wix.com/ugd/86b64c_088e46f41a4e44dca83e6a085a1251d4.pdf
Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture Books: http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2015/04/perfect-picture-book-friday-high.html
Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture Books: http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2015/04/perfect-picture-book-friday-high.html
I loved this one, too and reviewed it last year. Can never have too much good press for a great book!
ReplyDeleteWendy, I didn't mean to repeat. This book was new to me and I agree that it deserves lots of good press.
DeleteThis is a great story about friendship and caring. There are many kids who are in this situation due to a variety of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI believe books like this one will make our society more aware of the problem.
DeleteThis looks like a sweet book... friendship plus more.
ReplyDeleteIt's a well crafted picture book.
DeleteI interviewed Vin on my blog a couple of month's back and he told me to check out this book, which i did then. I love the text and art to this.
ReplyDeleteGreat! If you have a minute, please leave me the link to your interview. I would like to read it.
DeleteNicely handled important topic, and the art adds so well to that.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Julie! Thanks for hopping over.
DeleteSuch a fabulous book - powerful enough to change the world :) Love books like that!
ReplyDeleteBooks do have the power to make people aware.
DeleteThis sounds like such a sweet book, Friends helping friends. Thanks for your selection. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Happy reading!
DeleteThis is certainly a lovely choice. Love the theme of friends helping friends. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEven my teenagers were hooked by the title. :)
DeleteHi Manju, thank you for the nice review! I wanted to mention one additional resource. The University of Missouri has created a print-your-own Maddi's Fridge board game that may be helpful in classrooms. Here's the link: http://missourifamilies.org/booksbites/MaddisFridge.htm
ReplyDelete