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.
