The Macaroni and Cheese Anthology does a beautiful job of tackling an issue that is rarely addressed in children’s books: Sometimes there are people in your life who assert a subtly negative influence, and you need to follow your own instincts and find your joy.  I was particularly impressed with the short story Sabrina and her Committee, because it allows a child to see that even adults are sometimes wrong.  Through a gentle demonstration of emotion coaching, Sabrina learns to disregard the unkind voices of others, especially her critical classroom teacher, and she is finally able to hear her own sweet, affirming voice.  Stacie Isabella Turk uses words, drawings and music to plant the idea that each child can indeed change his or her world, if only by learning to cognitively reframe the behaviors of others. In reading Grumpy, Grouchy, and Grateful, children will learn that different people can look at the same set of circumstances and have widely varying perspectives.  Stacie Isabella Turk gently gives children permission to reject unhealthy views and develop their own positive, inclusive views of the world.  This is a lovely collection for parents and teachers to read with children.

~ Carrie Goldman
Author of Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear

Three stories showcase being grateful and thinking outside the box in Turk’s debut collection with color and black-and-white illustrations by debut artists Solomon and Muffins.

Does your brain have a committee of voices judging you? Do you ever suspect that your neighbors are aliens, content to live humdrum lives? Are you so grumpy and grouchy that you forget to be grateful? These are the types of questions asked by the three tales in this book. In “Sabrina and Her Committee,” a young girl with very long hair and a huge imagination discovers small voices, nestled in her hair, which criticize her. Eventually she finds the smaller voice of her heart, Grace, which teaches her to love herself. Unfortunately for Sabrina, her schoolteacher is the loudest of the critics outside her head, judging her penmanship, her focus, her art, and her appearance. Indeed, the teacher’s verbal abuse will surely elicit commentary from adult readers. Turk captures Sabrina’s genuine worries very well, though adults may wish that the character focused less on being “pretty enough.” Solomon’s brightly colored ink-and-paint illustrations reveal Sabrina’s big personality. “Mediocrity,” a list of rules for identifying aliens from the “planet, ADEQUATE from the universe, MEDIOCRE,” will make readers think about whether the people they encounter every day are merely sleeping through average lives; it’s accompanied by Solomon’s grayscale cartoons. “Grumpy, Grouchy, and Grateful,” featuring boldly colored, humorous illustrations from Muffins, tells of three caterpillar brothers, only one of whom bothers to look at the world around them and hope for a brighter future. Each story offers opportunities for young readers to identify themselves and recognize attitudes and behaviors that may make it hard to succeed and be happy. Turk uses an accessible vocabulary in the sometimes text-dense stories and creates fun characters with whom children will empathize. The varying art styles fit their stories well and are sure to draw interested browsers. The book also includes an audio CD (not reviewed).

A compilation that’s best for libraries looking to increase their offerings about positive thinking and gratitude.

~ KIRKUS REVIEWS
Read the full review here.

When I received the MACARONI AND CHEESE book, my children didn't give me a minute to look at it, as they were immediately drawn to the cool graphics and they begged me to be the first to read it. My 8 yr old son sat down quietly and I didn't hear from him for a while, apart from when he was laughing out loud. I was intrigued so I sat next to him and asked him if I could read it to his brothers (ages 7 and 3) and soon, we were all four of us laughing and enjoying Stacie's masterpiece. Later on that evening, my 14 yr old daughter read the book and it was her turn to laugh and enjoy the beautiful drawings. I am a teacher and it's very rare that one book is liked by all of my children who are different ages. I believe the reason why we love MACARONI AND CHEESE, is that the story is told in a fun and fascinating way and I was able to start meaningful conversations with my children after reading it.  

MACARONI AND CHEESE contains three stories; each unique with lessons impressing issues such as: mediocrity, self-esteem, and how to cultivate gratitude. My husband and I want to educate our children with good values and we felt that this book was a great help to start discussions and impact our children positively.Thank you Stacie!

~ Sarah P.
Elementary School Teacher
Mom - kids ages 3,7,8,13 yrs.

I love books that come with Audio CDs (very practical on the go), but I’m specially partial to books that come with songs, to boot. When you top that with stories that cater to the unique viewpoint of a child, you’ve got my full attention.

Macaroni and Cheese is a hardcover compilation of three stories, an activity list, and a CD. It is aptly named “comfort food for kids” because the stories address being adventurous, grateful, and strive for betterment, but mostly, because they teach little ones how to be comfortable in one’s skin.

What I love most about this book: This book promotes self-esteem through imaginary stories. Also? There’s illustration and then there’s sublime illustration! This book would make any graphic artist proud. It is visually so pleasing that it comforts the eyes before it comforts the soul. I find that I’m as in love with the typesetting as I am with the characters (my favorite? why, Grouchy, of course!)

~ Megan Broutian
Behavioral Analyst, BehavioralChild.com
Mom

ENCHANTING!  

As a father of five, my children are already enthralled by these uniquely visualized characters and their stories, but especially our youngest. 

As a family therapist, I know you will be blessed by this collection for its ability to impart virtues,  principles, and discernment to all who are fortunate enough to be delighted by it.

~ Scott, LMFT - Austin, TX,
Dad - kids ages 5, 7, 7, 14, 16 yrs.

This is a must have book for all parents and teachers alike. This book is so deep, yet easy to read   and understand. It will build your child’s character and boost self-esteem."

...and 2 songs that will get you and your kids up and on the dance floor together, laughing and   dancing…I know we did :-"

I loved all the stories but SABRINA AND HER COMMITTEE was my fave…It was so deep that it broke my heart and then healed it!"

With my girls, at times, it can be an uphill battle to get them to really care about everything they are doing. This will inspire you and your kids to do your very BEST!

(re: MEDIOCRITY)

GRUMPY, GROUCHY AND GRATEFUL will teach your children the importance of love, joy, peace, kindness and gratefulness, no matter what may occur throughout life. They will be encouraged to view the world in a new light!"

I really cannot say enough about Macaroni and Cheese, Volume 1. It is truly a treasure. My hope is that all parents and teachers get this book. It will plant positive, uplifting and encouraging seeds within our children and even within ourselves. It will spring up new and important conversations with you and your kids and bring to light these very common issues we all seem to face, but do not exactly know how to handle. Don’t forget to check out the activities in the back that line up perfectly with the stories.

~ Forest Rose
Home School Mama Blog

I am hoping to host 'Macaroni and Cheese week'  here at Palm Tree Elementary which I understand includes the customized writing, art and musical workshops with the author (based on this material) and a copy of their own for each child to have and continue to use in their classroom as well as at home. Stacie Isabella Turk has given us three delightful stories, songs and activities that speak of improving our human character.  The illustrations for each story complement the content...children AND adults will benefit from this wonderful union.

MACARONI AND CHEESE, Vol 1 is a delight to children in yet another way.

~ Gerald Luke
Principal at Palm Tree Elementary, Palmdale School District