Maddi's Fridge, Written by Lois Brandt and Illustrated by Vin Vogel


Description from the publisher:

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 anti-hunger groups, is also included.

Text Features: 

  • Fiction
  • Repeating phrasing that kids will enjoy joining in reading
  • Author's note that explains Lois' purpose for writing the book
  • List of Ways to Take Action in back matter
Critical Literacy Suggestions:

Read & Discuss: 

  • As you read the opening pages, ask children what they notice about similarities and differences between Sofia and Maddi.
  • Pause to discuss Maddi's request that Sofia keep Maddi's fridge a secret: 
    • Why does Maddi want Sofia to keep her secret?
    • Is it ok to ask someone to keep secrets?
    • Should you promise to keep secrets?
    • What might be helpful or harmful about secrets?
  • As Sofia struggles with her promise to keep Maddi's secret, pause again to ask children if they have any new thoughts. 
  • When Sofia tells her mom and they decide to give food to Maddi's family, Maddi's mom seems happy. What other feelings might Maddi's mom be having? What do you think Sofia's mom might have said when she came over with the food?
  • Why do you think Maddi's family doesn't have any food? What other reasons? [encourage nuanced conversations–there are many reasons why roughly 17 million children experience hunger on any given day in the United States alone and roughly 30 million depend on school meals to avoid hunger]
  • Do all families experiencing hunger look the same? [push back against stereotypes]
  • What questions do we have about hunger and what might we be able to do to help? 
Write & Act: 
  • Create a list of questions you have about hunger in your town/city/state/country/the world. 
  • Research to learn more. 
  • Create a list of ways people can help end hunger. Circle those you think your family/classroom/school/community group can help with. Commit to doing as many as you can. 
  • Create posters and/or a short promotional video encouraging others to help end hunger.

Learn More:

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