In the Macieverse, every story is rooted in kindness, curiosity, and care—connecting how food is grown, how it’s shared, and how small actions can make a big difference.
Through the Macieverse Magic Collection, families follow a natural journey—from discovering where food comes from… to sharing it with others… to caring for the Earth… to building patience… and ultimately, to exploring new possibilities for how we grow food in the future.
Explore each adventure below and find the story that grows with your family.
Macie and the Magic Veggies (Cody’s Edition)
Description:
The entry point to the Macieverse. Dig into the wonder of gardening and discover how tiny seeds grow into big lessons about patience, responsibility, and where our food truly comes from.
Continue the Adventure from Rocket Seeds
Inspired by the “Keep Exploring!” mission inside the book.
Macie and the Magic Rocket Seeds
Description:
A featured Macieverse adventure that expands the journey from the garden to entirely new frontiers—blending storytelling with real-world inspiration.
In this story, Macie, Cody, Mia, and Grandpa meet Mr. Chip, a character inspired by Chip Carter—producer and host of Where The Food Comes From—whose work filming at NASA helped explore how we may grow food in space, on the Moon, and beyond.
As the adventure unfolds, young readers discover how curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving come together in new environments—introducing STEAM concepts in a way that feels imaginative, accessible, and grounded in possibility.
It’s a story that encourages kids to ask bigger questions, think differently about the future, and realize that exploration doesn’t start with rockets—it starts with curiosity.
From first seeds to bold exploration, the Macieverse grows with your family—one story, one lesson, and one small step at a time.
The Joy of Growth
Celebrate how nurturing something small—like a seed or an act of kindness—can lead to big change.
Caring is Sharing
From lunchboxes to berry baskets, Macie shows how sharing what we have can lift others up.
Patience Pays Off
These stories mirror the natural rhythms of the farm, teaching that good things take time.
Eco-Awareness
Whether composting leftovers or planting seeds, each book invites children to take small steps that help care for the Earth.
Imagination’s Boundless Realm
Blending real-life lessons with a touch of magic, Macie’s world encourages kids to ask questions, dream big, and explore nature with wonder.
Perfect For:
Parents and Grandparents
Create meaningful storytime moments that nurture the values of care and responsibility.
Young Readers (Ages 3–7)
These rhyming adventures are made for curious minds and busy little hands.
Educators and Literacy Leaders
Each book blends STEM concepts with social-emotional learning, offering rich classroom connections.
Nature Enthusiasts and Gardeners
Introduce kids to gardening, composting, and healthy eating—starting with stories that inspire action.
Explore the Magic
With Veggies, Berries, and Dirt, the Macieverse invites your family to grow together—one joyful, rhyming adventure at a time.
More books and songs are growing now—because when we plant stories with purpose, we help raise a generation ready to care, share, and grow.
Amazing book! Macie and the Magic Veggies is a wonderful book! The quality of the book is amazing and the illustrations are so colorful. I love the educational message about gardening and vegetable origins in this book. My nephews loved it, highly recommend!
Wonderful story!! MACIE AND THE MAGIC VEGGIES by Peter Contardo is a charming, inspirational, and educational book that encourages children to love vegetables and to pursue the joy that is found in each step of farming - from putting seeds in the ground, to harvesting, to finally to placing that harvest on the table to eat. Contardo's enthusiastic message is so needed in our junk food saturated culture. The accompanying questions and activities at the back of the book are a superb addition to the story.The vibrant illustrations add a wonderfully engaging element to an already excellent storyline. Bravo, Peter Contardo, on a relevant and important book!(Deborah Edmisten ~ Author)
Beautiful and Packed with Fun! I bought Macie and the Magic Veggies as a gift, and I’m beyond impressed! The colorful illustrations are beautiful, the bonus activities are a great touch, and the story teaches an important lesson about where our food comes from. It’s so inspiring that I’ve even started eating more veggies! Perfect for kids—and a fun reminder for us grown-ups too!
A wonderful children's book that inspires healthy eating! Macie and the Magic Veggies is a fantastic book that makes healthy eating fun and exciting for kids. The story is engaging and fun, and the illustrations are bright and inviting.We are a nonprofit who focuses on fighting hunger, poverty, and hopelessness in our community while also teaching our neighbors about nutrition, healthy choices, and growing their own food. We believe in the power of fresh, nutritious food, and this book is a great way to encourage young readers to explore and enjoy vegetables.Macie and the Magic Veggies is a perfect addition to any home, classroom, or community program that promotes healthy habits. Highly recommend!
Grapes are in fact nature’s candy! I love this book I was so happy to give this book as a gift! My kids are grown now, but I remember how picky they could be with food. I’ve been giving Macie and the Magic Veggies to parents especially those with picky eaters because, honestly, - what kid doesn’t love the idea of dirt, seeds, and growing their own vegetables?The activities in the back are brilliant. Once you finish reading the story, the next step is to immerse kids in that world—imagining themselves in Macie’s veggie adventure and then engaging in hands-on activities like sorting vegetables or visiting the farmers market. The discussion prompts help parents spark meaningful conversations with their kids. I truly wish I’d had something like this when I was a young mom raising four kids
A great way to approach an important topic I care a lot about where my food comes from, and as a parent I'd like my kids to as well! My kids (6 and 10) both really enjoyed this book, on different levels. My 6yo identified strongly with Macie, and thought the talking animals were a lot of fun. As a developing reader she also did a great job reading the book out loud to me ("Hey Dad, this all rhymes!") For my 10 year old, we got a little bit more into the agriculture and science stuff, which she related back to her experience in our backyard vegetable garden. I thought the family story structure (Macie's grandpa is the one who takes her on her adventure) was a nice touch too.
Thoughtfully created for little minds! Macie and the Magic Veggies is such a sweet book that brings food to life for the growing mind of little ones! This book sparked curiosity and wonder for my 3 year old daughter as she learns more about different foods and where they come from. She loves to flip through the pages to find the different veggies and has started to recognize foods that we see when we’re out grocery shopping. This book has been such a fantastic inclusion for our bedtime reading routine!
Entertaining, and informative. Kids will learn a thing or two while having fun Macie and the Magic Veggies by Peter Contardo is a captivating novel that blends education, entertainment, and fun. The story follows 5-year-old Macie, who embarks on an adventure to discover where her food comes from. She visits a farm with her grandpa and meets Farmer Lundyn, who teaches her about planting, cultivating, and harvesting vegetableThe book emphasizes that proper care is the key ingredient for growing crops. Farmer Lundyn shares the secret that makes his farm successful and highlights the importance of love and affection in farming the best vegetables.The story walks children through the plantation process, showcasing the farmer's hard work and dedication. The book is for young readers eager to learn about new things, and the beautiful illustrations enhance the story's charm.Overall, Macie and the Magic Veggies underscores the significance of family bonds and connecting with nature. It makes vegetables exciting and magical while also encouraging the enjoyment of healthy eating.
Entertaining and educational. Macie and the Magic Veggies by Peter Contardo is a delightful book that blends vibrant storytelling with important lessons about food origins and family values. The author’s rhythmic writing makes the story captivating for young readers.The book’s vivid illustrations and engaging narrative foster curiosity about farming and nature. It beautifully conveys themes of nurturing, community, and the love that connects families through shared experiences, making it both entertaining and educational.This charming story is perfect for parents and educators seeking to introduce kids to gardening, sustainability, and the magic of fresh food.
A sweet and fun book! Such a cute book! Macie loves her vegetables, and Grocery Day with Mom is her favorite day. But this time, she gets to go visit a farm where she finds magic veggies that come alive! Full of beautiful, vivid illustrations and a rhythmic, engaging storyline, this book is a hit for 5 or 6 and under.
Engaging for the entire family! In our fast-paced world filled with ultra processed food, this story reminds us of where real food actually comes from. Told thru eyes of a 5 year-old and with tiny characters popping up along the way - the farm dog, the pond frog - who add conversations all their own. This book is beautifully illustrated and is more than just a story, it’s a complete adventure filled with songs, follow-up activities and questions for all.
Little Learners, Big Discoveries Little Learners, Big Discoveries with Macie and Her Mentor!This book has been a delightful addition to our storytime! It's wonderful to see young Macie being guided by an older farm girl, demonstrating the power of mentorship among children. This colorful book teaches about where our food comes from and highlights the importance of learning from others. The interactive activities are a nice addition, perfect for small hands and curious minds, helping to reinforce the lessons Macie learns from Farmer Lundyn. A must-have for any caregiver eager to impart values of guidance, love, and growth!
Joys of cultivating love and vegetables... "Macie and the Magic Veggies" by Peter Contardo is a delightful tale that brings the magic of gardening and family bonds to life. With vibrant illustrations and rhythmic storytelling, it effortlessly captures a child’s curiosity about nature and where food comes from. The story’s blend of educational value and heartfelt messages makes it both engaging and inspiring for young readers. This charming book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the joys of cultivating love and vegetables.
Great for young readers Macie and the Magic Veggies by Peter Contardo is a great read for parents and teachers to share with children. It is on a great topic as well since so many younger children do not like to eat vegetables. The story follows Macie as she learns how out vegetables come from farms and make their way to our tables. The book is packed full of lots of images that help to being the characters to life and helps young readers see where their food is coming from. I can see this being a great read aloud with young children, and also as a good reading book for young readers to read to their caregivers.
A charming and scholarly picture book! Macie and the Magic Veggies is a charming and scholarly picture book that beautifully blends lively storytelling with a meaningful message about food, nature, and family. It captures the imagination of toddlers and preschoolers, encouraging curiosity about where their food comes from. The included activities add an interactive element, making this book an excellent choice for parents and educators to inspire a love for learning and nature in young readers.
Developing Veggie Love This interactive picture book would serve as a wonderful gift for tiny tots by helping them develop an early love for Veggies as well as increasing their knowledge on where the vegetables come from. The story ends with questions that prompts the developing mind to explore questions like what is their favorite color and fruit. The book also has a tiny poems on vegetables and fruits which you can teach the kids.
The joy of healthy eating and harvesting vegetables Peter Contardo’s "Macie and the Magic Veggies" is a charming adventure that introduces children to the joys of nature, healthy eating and caring for the environment. Through vibrant illustrations and rhythmic storytelling, it follows Macie’s magical journey of planting, nurturing and harvesting vegetables.The book captures the wonders of discovery and sparks curiosity about the world around us. The story emphasizes the importance of family, sustainability and connection. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this heartwarming tale inspires a love for nature and celebrates the journey from seed to table.
Moments Grown With Love!! Must-read! The storyline is fairly straightforward: Young (5-year-old) Macie loves shopping with her mom, especially when she gets to pick out vegetable treats, but her grandfather decides to expand Macie’s love of veggies by taking her to a nearby farm to see how (and where) they grow.Meeting the farmer and seeing how she grows the foods in her garden, Macie is then inspired to start a garden and grow some of her own foods, sharing them with her grandfather.The big secret of the book and our delightful farmer’s secret is that all the best food is grown with love!Besides the wonderfully inspiring story, the book also includes a great selection of questions to get children even more engaged in the content. It also includes ideas for fun gardening/farming activities, such as going to a farmers market.I love the simplicity of the story and the beautiful artwork, and I think this is a fantastic book for introducing children to the ideas of vegetables and farming.This book is especially important since we are in a time when fewer people are eating real foods, especially vegetables, and those that do are often buying them at the grocery store rather than from local farmers.The message is clear: We all should be growing some of our own food and we need to be supporting our local farmers who are truly growing healthy food for us. And this message is wrapped up in the importance of love and community.
Educational but fun This fun story helps children learn where their fruits and vegetables come from but also creates a desire to try new foods! The art is bright and cheerful, welcoming children into the pages.