Picture Book: Maddi’s Fridge
Author: Louise
Brandt
Illustrator: Vin
Vogel
Summary:
Best friends Sophia and Maddi spend each day together, playing outside, attending
school, and hanging out at each other’s home. When Sophia accidentally
discovers Maddi’s nearly empty fridge and realizes her friend has no access to
milk at home, Sophia becomes very worried. Maddi asks her to keep their situation
a secret so Sophia struggles for days, worried about her friend but compelled
to keep the secret. Often it is when Sophia is eating at her home, where a
bounty of nutritious food is prepared, that she asks her mother questions about
food. The burden of her promise to keep Maddi’s secret becomes heavier with
each meal. Finally, she tells her mother, and they respond by bringing food to
Maddi’s home and talking with Maddi’s mother about how they can help. Sophia
is relieved, and their relationship is not damaged. Meanwhile, there is an
interesting play ritual between the girls that involves competition, strengths, and weaknesses.
Hanna’s Comments: It’s rare to see a book that is so outwardly inviting be
about such a profound and stark subject as hunger. Fortunately, the issue of
hunger and the broader issue of poverty are handled in a way that is wonderfully
appropriate for children, presenting some of the confusion that many children
must feel when confronted with this issue. After the story, there is a call to
action section which lists six ways children can respond to hunger as well as
information on anti-hunger groups.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Flashlight Press, 2014
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
# of Pages:
32
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: Tablet
PBT Category:
Fresh off the Press
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anxiety/worry, betrayal, blessings, body
of Christ, bonds/connections, caring/tending, choices/decisions, companionship,
competition, consumerism/consumption/riches, covenant/promises/vows,
dependence/interdependence, differences, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, friends/friendship,
generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, mothers, play, poverty, risking,
sharing, at table
Scripture Connections: If your kin become poor and cannot maintain, you
shall support them (Leviticus 25:35); when did we see you a stranger and
welcome you… Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my family,
you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-40); parable of the great feast (Luke 14:
15-24)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when studying
the complex issue of hunger or poverty. Be sure to help them understand how your faith
community responds to hunger and the broader issue of poverty.
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