Cocoa Magic

By Sandra Bradley

Book Overview

In a cozy 1920s chocolate shop, the special ingredients in each perfect treat are empathy, generosity, and thoughtful acts of kindness.Eight-year-old Daniel cherishes the hour he spends every morning helping his Great-Uncle Lewis in his chocolate shop. They mix, temper, pour, and mold. "It's magic, my boy," Uncle Lewis says. And Daniel agrees. When a new girl named Sarah joins his class, Daniel sees how lonely she is and begins sneaking chocolates into her desk. Seeing Sarah light up after each treat is wonderful...but then Daniel starts noticing other classmates with troubles. Soon he is hiding more and more chocolates until the exciting day when everyone in class receives one, even the teacher The best part is, no one knows it's him.But then, when Daniel is the one feeling sad and alone, who will know to comfort him?In Cocoa Magic, Gabrielle Grimard's rich and nostalgic illustrations transport readers to a cozy 1920s chocolate shop and a stiff brick schoolhouse that somehow learns to be warm as well. In her text and her closing author's note, clinical social worker Sandra Bradley celebrates the wonders that happen when someone meets another person's need to be seen and understood--even through the smallest act of kindness."Chocolates bring togetherness--and magic--to a 1920s Prince Edward Island school... Bradley crafts a story laced with empathy and kindness. Grimard's soft, mixed-media illustrations evoke a sense of coziness... Endpapers mimic a box of chocolates--a delicious touch...Sweet as sugar.--Kirkus Reviews

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1772783102
• ISBN13: 9781772783100
• Release Date: September 2024
• Publisher: Pajama Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.3" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Children's Book

This is a Children's book that I read to my twin boys. This is a super cute and sweet book, and this book really shows the meaning behind giving it forward. I really loved the writing in this book, but I do feel some of this book was a little wordy for small children. My boys enjoyed this book, but they did not understand when the book said the school looked "cold". They kept thinking that the use of the word "cold" meant the inside temperature of the school was cold. I had to explain what the author meant when using the word cold, but I enjoyed teaching them that words can mean different things depending on how they are used. The pictures in this book were good, and they helped to bring the story to life. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.