Book Review of Macie and the Magic Veggies
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The Children’s Book Review
Macie and the Magic Veggies
Written by Peter Contardo
Illustrated by MindStir Media
Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: MindStir Media (2024) | ISBN: 978-1962987073
What to Expect: Vegetables, grocery shopping, farming, grow-your-own.
In this simple, instructional picture book, readers will learn about the food chain and the origins of produce on farms and in the soil.
Macie loves vegetables—they’re so colorful, crunchy, and delicious! When her mom takes her to the grocery store, Macie can’t wait to choose all her favorites. Then her grandfather lets her in on a secret: vegetables don’t come from the store; they come from a place called a farm! With the help of Farmer Lundyn, Macie learns all about how vegetables grow, from tiny seeds planted in the ground to the tasty plants she loves to eat. And she learns another important secret: vegetables can be grown with love. Soon, with everything she has learned at the farm, Macie is ready to grow her own vegetables to give to the people she loves!
The story encourages readers to feel both curiosity and excitement about vegetables as food and as a valuable commodity, normalizing eating, growing, and gifting them as something fun and special to do. Macie is an inquisitive and enthusiastic main character, and throughout the book, brightly colored artwork presents the vegetables she is excited about in tempting, glowing detail. At the end of the book, reflection questions and a range of suggested activities help readers sustain their interest in produce and growing.
Macie and the Magic Veggies is a great way to introduce readers early on to the idea that eating vegetables can be exciting and healthy.
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About the Author
Peter Contardo is a social entrepreneur, storyteller, and creator of the Macieverse, known for his ability to turn ideas into impactful projects that inspire and educate. With Macie and the Magic Veggies, he introduces children to the magic of nature, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship, sparking curiosity in young readers about the world around them. His broader work includes co-founding Access to Fresh to combat food insecurity and champion food literacy, especially among children and seniors in underserved areas. He also serves as an advisor to Dube’s Farm and Market, supporting the growth of sustainable, local food systems.
Peter’s journey has taken him from a successful career in video storytelling, marketing, and consulting to living out his childhood dream of farming—growing blueberries, raising goats, and even building a barn venue. His diverse experiences and deep-rooted values, shaped by his upbringing in a family of early childhood educators, infuse his stories with warmth, wisdom, and timeless life lessons that resonate with both kids and their parents.
Beyond the world of Macie, Peter is a Pinewood Derby champion, a Space Camp graduate, and the proud owner of a life-sized Yoda. He believes that grapes are nature’s candy and that we need more teachers like Ms. Frizzle! When he’s not dreaming up new adventures in the Macieverse, you can find Peter on the pickleball court with his wife, quoting classic (in his mind) movie lines to his grown kids, or reading to his granddaughter…Macie.
Step into Peter’s world at petercontardoauthor.com to discover engaging resources, exclusive content, and more!
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