Maddi's Fridge - by Lois Brandt & Vin Vogel

About the Book

Maddi's fridge is almost empty, while Sophia's fridge is full of food. How can Sophia help her friend Maddi without breaking her promise not to tell anyone?

Book Synopsis

Winner of:
2014 Christopher Award, Books for Young People
2014 ILA Primary Fiction Award
2015 MLA Mitten Award Honor
Human Rights in Children's Literature Honor

With humor and warmth, this children's picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger

Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia's fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi's house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi's family doesn't have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she'll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she's faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi's empty fridge. Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on antihunger groups, is also included.

Review Quotes

"In her debut picture book, Brandt addresses an important issue: childhood hunger. . . . Vogel's digital illustrations portraying the smiling, wide-eyed girls in their city neighborhood are filled with warmth and a sense of community." --Linda L. Walkins, School Library Journal

"Maddi's Fridge will inspire conversations about honesty, sensitivity, empathy and helping others."--Kirkwood Times

"Before coming to the Feeding America national office, I worked at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, and we kept a copy of Maddie's Fridge in our lobby! I recommend it to many supporters with children--especially those too young to volunteer. What an incredible resource for shining a light on childhood hunger and an apt tool for teaching empathy to young children. Thank you so much for using your wonderful talents to help raise awareness for and end childhood hunger." --Jacklyn Chaney, Development Manager, Feeding America

"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!" --Denise Mealy, thechildrensbookreview.com

Maddi's Fridge was included on Sightline Institute's kid's list of "The Books We Love Best in 2018." --https: //www.sightline.org/2018/12/14/the-books-we-love-best-in-2018/

"Maddi's Fridge is a compassionate, hopeful, giving, funny picture book about friendship and real world family issues. A rare gem!" --Carrie Charley Brown, writersrumpus.com

"Cartoon-style illustrations, depicting a vibrant and diverse city neighborhood, help soften the difficult issues raised . . . . Food insecurity, childhood hunger, and poverty are treated with tenderness and humor." --April Mazza, Booklist

"Filled with colourful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others." --toronto4kids.com

"This book introduces a topic that is rarely explored in picture books, and it would be a welcome addition to larger picture book collections." --Melissa Morwood, BayViews

"While the issue of childhood hunger is serious, the story is neither preachy nor patronizing. It is instead silly and sweet and strong. It is brilliant and appealing. That's because it is, at heart, a story about friends. It's about Maddi helping Sofia climb the wall, and Sofia helping Maddi get enough to eat." --catherinespascha.com

About the Author

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