Book Nook – Maddi’s Fridge 2026
Maddi’s Fridge
Written by Lois Brandt
Illustrated by Vin Vogel
How do we help our children develop a sensitivity to others who may go hungry and seek ways they can help? How do we help our children learn how to respond to those in need in ways that will maintain a sense of dignity for all those in need? I think Maddi’s Fridge does just that, as a heartwarming story about those in need being helped by a friend. Lois Brandt, the author, writes this book based on an experience she had as a young girl when she peeked into her best friend’s refrigerator and found the shelves empty and only a small carton of milk.
Meet Maddi and her best friend, Sophia. Yes, they are best friends, each with different strengths and abilities, who love their times together. One can run faster than the wind and wins any race the two share. The other is an avid climber and can easily get to the top of a climbing wall at the park while the other struggles to even begin. They may have different strengths and abilities but are encouraging to one another. Isn’t that what best friends do?
One day after a rigorous time at the park in their neighborhood and stomach’s growling Sophia finds herself looking into Maddi’s fridge. And… what a surprise! There wasn’t much to offer but only a small carton of milk. And Maddi wants to save that for her little brother. Sometimes it’s hard to hide a reality. Sometimes we don’t want anyone to know our truths.
Sworn to secrecy Sophia decides to try to help Maddi. Sophia decides to quietly share some of her food with her best friend. First, Sophia must consider what foods are good and healthy for kids. With ideas from her own dinner Sophia decides to bring some in her lunch box to share the next day with Maddi. Unfortunately, the foods Sophia brings just don’t work well in lunch boxes! Not to be discouraged, Sophia tries again and again. These ideas are fun and humorous and will bring smiles and chuckles to the reader.
Sophia finally realizes she cannot really solve Maddi’s problem or truly help without sharing the problem with her mother. Will breaking her promise for secrecy end her valued friendship with Maddi? Will Sophia’s family be able to help in a way that “upholds the dignity” of Maddi and her family? How will they receive the help Sophia’s family wants to give?
Besides a special story the illustrations by Vin Vogel offer much to hold a reader’s interest. His character drawings show lots of emotion, humor, and action. Any number of them offer opportunities to talk about how the characters might be feeling.
Yes, this is a special story and you can read it and enjoy it for that reason only. But it also can open the door to other conversations with your children and young people. How do we respond to differences of abilities? Is it possible to be good at everything? When we discover a need of a friend, do we try to help or do we shy away from interfering? Are there resources in our own community to solve some of the problems we read about in this story? Are there people in our own community today that we could help?
Maddi’s Fridge is a story to be enjoyed and celebrated for its sensitivity to friendship and being community for our friends without preaching. But if it should bring you and your children to an awareness of food insecurities in your community, don’t hesitate to find out how you can help.
There are many ways and opportunities for families to help other families in need with some of the basic necessities for better living. Here’s one place I like to help meet those needs. www.santamariasj.org. SMUM – Santa Maria Urban Ministry, a food pantry and neighborhood resource, located in the Washington - Guadalupe Neighborhood of San Jose, California. You can find out more about what they do and how they serve on their website.
We can all help, wherever we live across this United States. Search online and in your own communities if you are being nudged to help. Let God’s grace and God’s mercy direct you path.