Four Cookies by Mona Khalaf (Book Review #2282)

“Mona Khalaf’s “Four Cookies” is a charming and inspiring 28-page short story that uniquely conveys a sense of whimsy while also providing meaningful and important life lessons. Intended for middle-grade and young adult readers, “Four Cookies” takes readers on an imaginative journey through the eyes of four small but larger-than-life cookies who face challenges that are proportionately larger than either the size or the number of cookies themselves.

When you open the first page of “Four Cookies,” you enter Khalaf’s magical world, where something as common as “cookies” become the epicenter of an extraordinary and whimsical adventure. While the cookies experience a number of trials and tribulations that challenge their courage, their identity, and their perseverance, Khalaf presents these obstacles to her audience in a manner that is light-hearted, accessible, and entertaining to younger audiences, all while addressing themes of friendship, self-discovery, and perseverance through adversity-a rich depth of complexity that transcends the age of her target audience.

One of the book’s most significant strengths is its ability to communicate messages to readers on different levels. Younger readers will be drawn in by the quirky and fun idea of cookies traveling within a world much bigger than themselves; however, older readers and even adults will appreciate the book’s allegorical messages of overcoming fears, how to find one’s place, and how to embrace differences. The experiences the cookies face parallel the universal experience of growing up, learning to fit in, and learning to rely on oneself and others when facing obstacles.

Khalaf’s warm and friendly writing style is ideal for reading to your children at bedtime or discussing with them in a classroom environment. The flow of the story is smooth, balancing moments of adventure with moments of contemplation that will promote empathy and reflection on the part of her readers. Although the book is only 28 pages long, it does not seem rushed. Instead, it is a lasting reminder to all readers that strength can come from the smallest, unlikeliest of sources.

Another outstanding quality of “Four Cookies” is that the story can serve as a launching point for discussions about teamwork, resilience, and identity. By utilizing magical realism, Khalaf creates the opportunity for her young readers to engage with these topics through a safe and imaginative vehicle while still tying in these themes to real-life experiences.

Mona Khalaf has written a wonderfully creative and uplifting 28-page story that is both whimsical and inspiring. “Four Cookies” is not only a humorous adventure; it also serves as a gentle guide to assist young readers in understanding the value of being courageous, compassionate, and having faith in themselves.”

Written by Jeyran Main

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