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by Sandra Bradley (Author), Gabrielle Grimard (Illustrator)
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."Chocolates bring togetherness--and magic--to a 1920s Prince Edward Island school... Bradley crafts a story laced with empathy and kindness. Grimard's soft, mixed-media illustrations evoke a sense of coziness... Endpapers mimic a box of chocolates--a delicious touch...Sweet as sugar.--Kirkus ReviewsAuthor Biography
Sandra Bradley is
a chocolate lover, a clinical social worker and therapist, and a children's
book author. Her first picture book, Henry Holton Takes the Ice, was a
finalist for the OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award and the Maine
Chickadee Reader's Choice Award. Born in Toronto, Sandra earned her Bachelor of
Arts (Honours) and her Master of Arts at Queen's University in Kingston,
Ontario, then earned her Master of Education (Counselling) from the University
of Auckland in New Zealand. Today Sandra is back in the Kingston area where she
lives on the beautiful Rideau Canal with her New Zealander husband, Grant, and
their three teenage kids. Sandra has yet to temper chocolate successfully, but
she's finally nailed chocolate brownie pie.Gabrielle Grimard transformed her love of design into
a career in illustration over the course of her studies at Concordia University
and the University of Quebec. Her 2020 title The Library Bus won the
Middle East Book Award and was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary
Award, among many other honors. In 2018, Stolen
Words won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award and was a
finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Book Award. Not My Girl was a USBBY Outstanding International Book. Gabrielle's
creativity has been applied to children's publishing, advertising, and
educational contexts. She lives in Waterville, Quebec.
