Peter Contardo wrote Macie and the Magic Veggies after beginning a partnership to make produce accessible and affordable for everyone. Macie loves going to the grocery store with her mother. The colorful vegetables delight her and she makes up a song to sing while shopping. At home, her grandfather talks to Macie about a farm that grows the produce she sees at the store. Her grandfather takes her to a farm, where she meets a farmer, Lundyn, and learns how to grow "magic veggies" while following Lundyn's instructions. Macie reveals the secret to growing beautiful vegetables to her grandfather when it is time to harvest them.

Many people hope to leave a legacy, and Peter Contardo has taken a huge step toward it by co-founding Access to Fresh and creating this charming book. Readers can relate to sweet Macie as she discovers how to grow her favorite foods and children will follow along with the rhyming words. With pictures as vibrant as the vegetables, children will stay engaged as they spot animals and insects that have something extra to add to the narration. The fun doesn't stop at the end of the story. Contardo shares several pages of questions, activities, and suggestions. My children and I participated in some of the activities and they answered the questions. Their answers really helped me prepare for what we will plant in our garden this year. Readers who enjoy heartwarming books about food, family, and loving connections will like Macie and the Magic Veggies.

Macie and the Magic Veggies by Peter Contardo is a delightful children’s book that turns gardening into a fun and magical adventure. We're guided in the story by young Macie. Readers experience the excitement of growing food as she follows her grandfather and Farmer Lundyn around. She learns how tiny seeds turn into colorful veggies, discovering all the wonders that happen underground and above the soil. The story doesn’t just teach kids about farming; it makes the whole process feel exciting and full of surprises. With bright, engaging pictures and a heartwarming story, Contardo's book is educational and inspiring. It’s a reminder of how special nature is, how food gets to our tables, and how learning from family can be one of the best adventures of all.

Author Peter Contardo blends education and entertainment, making the world of gardening come alive for young readers. He does a great job of capturing kids’ imaginations while teaching important lessons about where food comes from and how it grows. The colorful illustrations make the farm feel real, turning the journey from seed to table into something magical. Contardo’s storytelling sparks curiosity, encouraging kids to explore the outdoors and connect with nature in a hands-on way. The theme of family adds warmth to the story too, making it about more than just farming, although that part is fun to learn about. The real story beneath it is about love, learning, and spending time together. Overall, I recommend Macie and the Magic Veggies as a wonderful book for young readers, one that will inspire curiosity, creativity, and a newfound appreciation for nature.

Do you like veggies? What’s your favorite? I think my favorite is carrots. Do you know where veggies come from? I bet your first thought is the grocery store. Peter Contardo’s Macie and the Magic Veggies will take you on a wondrous magical journey to discover where veggies come from before they reach the grocery store. That’s what Macie learns. And she’s instructed on how to grow her veggies and how to care for them, right up to harvesting them. And the magical ingredient? Macie knows because all the veggies in her garden are “Grown with love. … Love makes everything magic.”

Peter Contardo’s picture book story, Macie and the Magic Veggies, is a great way to teach young readers where their food, particularly veggies, comes from. Told in rhyming verse, this lyrical treasure will warm the hearts of readers as they learn about growing their food. The language is simple to appeal to the young reader and the message is clear throughout: love is the key ingredient. The illustrations are bright, bold, and colorful and help move the story along. Young readers will love happy little Macie as she learns about her source of food. At the end of the book, there are some interesting activity pages to encourage young readers to question and carry on learning about the food industry. From sorting the seeds, to planting, watering, and watching things grow, it’ll be harvesting time before you know it and there will be a sense of pride in the little farmer who managed to grow their very own veggies. There’s even a page for young readers to “Draw Your Adventure.”

Macie and the Magic Veggies by Peter Contardo is a delightful story about a young girl named Macie, who has a passion for vegetables. She looks forward to grocery day with her mother, where she joyfully sings as she pushes her cart down the aisles. One day, her Grandpa tells her about magical farms that are the source of the vegetables found in stores. Intrigued by the magic happening on these farms, Macie visits Farmer Lundyn, who teaches her how vegetables grow with care and love. She learns about the significance of water and sunlight and discovers when and how to harvest crops. Macie eventually puts her newfound knowledge into action by growing her own vegetables and sharing the joy of her harvest with her Grandpa.

Macie and the Magic Veggies is a fun and informative book that helps children learn about the origins of their favorite vegetables. It explores themes of family and emphasizes the importance of nurturing both plants and relationships. Macie is a curious girl with a cheerful personality, and her radiant smile whenever she learns about vegetables is truly heartwarming. This story encourages children to love vegetables and instills a sense of responsibility and appreciation for nature. Peter Contardo also includes fun facts and questions about how insects help flowers produce seeds, along with activities that families can enjoy together in the garden. The book features lyrical narration with rhyming words, making it engaging to read. Additionally, the colorful illustrations beautifully bring the characters and their environment to life, capturing children's attention with their vibrancy. Overall, Macie and the Magic Veggies is a charming and educational read that inspires children to explore the world of vegetables and farming.