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by Sharaine Sayre (Contribution by), Nathan Wu (Author)
What happens when a young chef discovers that her biggest challenge isn't in the kitchen-but in her own body?
Nine-year-old Zoe Washington loves cooking for her family, rescuing recipes, and inventing new food experiments. But when she starts feeling constantly tired and thirsty, she learns she has something unexpected: Type 2 diabetes. At first, Zoe is scared and unsure-can she still enjoy the foods she loves? Will her friends understand? Will diabetes change who she is?
Instead of giving up, Zoe takes on her diagnosis like a true Sugar Hero. With her recipe notebook, her stuffed dinosaur sidekick, and the support of her family, Zoe begins a new kind of adventure:
Recipe Rescues - Zoe experiments in the kitchen to transform family favorites like mac and cheese, pancakes, and cookies into healthier, diabetes-friendly versions that taste just as delicious.
Glucose Detective Work - Using her glucose meter, Zoe turns science into fun, tracking how food, movement, and feelings affect her blood sugar.
Movement Medicine - With after-dinner dance parties, basketball games, and family walks, Zoe and the Washington crew discover that exercise is one of the best tools for staying healthy.
The Diabetes Toolkit - Zoe learns that managing diabetes takes many tools-healthy food, exercise, medicine, tracking, and most importantly, support from family and friends.
Speaking Up with Courage - From a school presentation to a big family reunion, Zoe teaches others what diabetes really means-and proves she's not just living with it, she's thriving.
Richly illustrated in full color, this inspiring and engaging story helps children and families see diabetes through a lens of strength, creativity, and resilience. Zoe doesn't just learn to manage her diagnosis-she turns it into her superpower, becoming a teacher, leader, and hero for those around her.
The Sugar Heroes Series is dedicated to helping kids understand and thrive with diabetes. Each book combines heartwarming storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and real-world lessons about health, empathy, and courage. With relatable characters and positive messages, these stories spark important conversations while offering hope and encouragement to families everywhere.
Perfect for:
Kids ages 7-12 navigating diabetes or supporting a friend/sibling with diabetes
Families looking for stories that teach health and resilience in a positive way
Classrooms, counselors, and healthcare providers who want child-friendly resources about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Zoe's Kitchen Mission shows young readers that while diabetes may be a new ingredient in life's recipe, it doesn't take away flavor or joy-it adds courage, creativity, and community.
Join Zoe and the Sugar Heroes, and discover how every challenge can be turned into something amazing!
