Cocoa Magic

Daniel loved spending time with his Great-Uncle Lewis, who was known as the Cocoa King of Charlottetown. They would make chocolates together before Daniel went to the cold, lonely school each day. When Daniel got a new classmate, he noticed she didn’t smile. He thought she felt it was a cold, lonely school too. The next day, Daniel wrapped up a chocolate and secretly left it in her desk, and then she smiled. Daniel noticed other students who didn’t seem happy, and he left chocolates for them too. Soon he secretly left chocolate treats for every student and even the teacher, but what would happen when Daniel was feeling sad and lonely?

Sandra Bradley has written a story that is as sweet as the treats she writes about that will help young readers realize just how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone. The story is compelling and will keep youngsters engaged throughout. But perhaps the real star of this book is the gorgeous illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard, which are filled with colors as rich as the chocolate at the center of the story. Every page is filled with beautifully rendered details to support the story.