Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Kit
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Maddi’s Fridge, by Lois Brandt | Book Review

    Denise MealyBy Denise Mealy3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Books with Girl Characters Current Affairs Food and Drink Picture Books Social Graces
    maddi's fridge illustration
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | August 25, 2016

    Madde's FridgeMaddi’s Fridge

    Written by Lois Brandt

    Illustrated by Vin Vogel

    Hardcover Book: 32 pages

    Age Range: 4-8 years

    Publisher: Flashlight Press (2014)

    ISBN: 978-1-936212-9-1

    What to expect: Friendship, Hunger, Family Issues

    Sofia and Maddi are best friends. They play at the park until the streetlights turn on, running and jumping and working up a fierce appetite. So when Sofia runs to Maddi’s house for a snack, she’s met with a surprise. Maddi’s fridge only has a bit of milk for her little brother. Nothing else. Confused, Sofia asks why Maddi’s mom doesn’t go to the store. Turns out, they can’t afford it. Maddi begs Sofia not to tell anyone.

    Maddis Fridge IllustrationSo starts Sofia’s quest to help her friend–without telling her mom. The first night she packs up leftover fish, only to find a yucky surprise in her backpack the next day. Then, it’s raw eggs. Turns out that’s not great overnight in a backpack, either. But she strikes gold with leftover burritos and manages to bring a lunch to her bestie, Maddi.

    But Sofia realizes that this is not enough. Maddi won’t be able to run and jump and play without enough food. Finally, Sofia tells her mom what’s happening at Maddi’s house. Mom swoops in with bags of groceries and a fun treat, cheesy pizza bombs, and they go to Maddi’s house. While the mom’s talk about adult stuff, Maddi and Sofia play. Maddi forgives Sofia for telling, because she was trying to help. And she did! And now Maddi has enough food for her and her little brother.

    This is a big-issue book, handled delicately. It’s not preachy or judgmental, and has a sweet story about friendship first and foremost. The funny parts with yucky food hidden in a backpack provide some levity in what could be a very serious book. It provides a great starting point for discussions about hunger, charity, and talking to an adult when something seems wrong with a little friend. The illustrations are fun and the language is accessible. A perfectly sweet book about a serious topic. Very well done!

    Add this book to your collection: Maddi’s Fridge

    Available Here: 

    Text, logoBuy on Amazon

    About Lois Brandt

    Lois Brandt  is a writing teacher who served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon, West Africa. She lives in Issaquah, Washington.

    About Vin Vogel

    Vin Vogel is a Brazilian illustrator and designer who has illustrated more than 45 children’s and young adult books in his native Portuguese and French. He lives in New York City.

    Maddi’s Fridge,  by Lois Brandt and Vin Vogel, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like Maddi’s Fridge by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Flashlight Press, Friendship, Picture Books, and Social Graces.

    How You Support The Children's Book Review
    We may receive a small commission from purchases made via the links on this page. If you discover a book or product of interest on this page and use the links provided to make a purchase, you will help support our mission to 'Grow Readers.' Your support means we can keep delivering quality content that's available to all. Thank you!
    Flashlight Press Friendship Hunger Lois Brandt Social-Emotional Vin Vogel
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleChildren’s Book Trends on The Children’s Book Review | August 2016
    Next Article Mascot Books Publishes Clicky Jules: Love is All Around, by Lauren Palermo | Press Release
    Denise Mealy
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Denise Mealy is a former web content provider who stays at home to change diapers and write books. Her days are filled with Word documents, books and sloppy kisses (from dogs and baby alike). She likes to read, cook, dance, travel and forward pictures of spam sculptures to friends. If she could have dinner with any author, dead or alive, it would be a toss up between J.K. Rowling and Jane Austen. They would probably eat pasta. Yes, definitely pasta. For more information, visit: www.dccmealy.com You can also find her on Twitter: @dccmealy

    2 Comments

    1. Eileen Quinn on August 31, 2016 1:54 am

      I am starting a service learning project in my school for both middle and elementary and middle school students and was wondering how to introduce some of the more important issues to the younger students and now I have the perfect book to do just that!!! I plan on using this book for grades k-3 as I think hunger is not something that kids realize is happening all over this country.

      Reply
    2. Pingback: Down the Rabbit Hole | Book Discussion Guides

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • The Only Me, by Marissa Bader | Dedicated Review
    • A Brief History of Life on Earth | Book Review
    • Desiree Blanchard Discusses My Home Filled with Love
    • New Children’s Book Teaches Children How To Love and Be Loved
    • August or Forever, by Ona Gritz | Awareness Tour
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Book Shop
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Buzzworthy Mentions on the Path to Growing Readers!
    • About TCBR
    © 2023 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.