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Published by The Collective Book Studio
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
A relatable early reader that taps into important life lessons about friendship, grief, and talking through feelings.
“A sensitive and rich children’s novel—a thoughtful, warm reflection on overcoming loss and embracing change.” —Foreword Reviews
Ten-year-old Amelia has always had her chinchilla, Calvin, to confide in. But now Calvin is gone, and her parents say he’s in “a better place.” Without her fuzzy companion, Amelia struggles to process the big feelings that come with losing a pet, missing the school talent show, and drifting from her best friend. Who is she supposed to talk to now?
Just when Amelia feels completely alone, a new classmate arrives, and things slowly begin to shift. Set in a charming seaside town in Portugal and paired with tender black-and-white illustrations, Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a lyrical and heartfelt middle grade debut about healing, friendship, and finding your voice.
Here’s why readers love Calvin and the Sugar Apples:
• EMOTIONAL HONESTY: A gentle and relatable story that helps kids process grief, loss, and change with sensitivity and warmth.
• A HEROINE TO REMEMBER: Amelia is awkward, curious, and full of heart—an unforgettable narrator with a voice that rings true.
• FOR HOME AND CLASSROOM: Ideal for read-alouds, SEL curriculum, or any child going through big feelings or shifting friendships.
• CULTURAL DEPTH: A vivid Portuguese setting offers a refreshing global backdrop for a deeply personal story.
• ART THAT CONNECTS: Includes 15 expressive black-and-white illustrations that draw readers into Amelia’s world.
A perfect pick for readers ages 7–10 and a must-have for any family or classroom shelf, Calvin and the Sugar Apples reminds us that healing begins with honesty—and that new friendships often blossom when we least expect them.
“A sensitive and rich children’s novel—a thoughtful, warm reflection on overcoming loss and embracing change.” —Foreword Reviews
Ten-year-old Amelia has always had her chinchilla, Calvin, to confide in. But now Calvin is gone, and her parents say he’s in “a better place.” Without her fuzzy companion, Amelia struggles to process the big feelings that come with losing a pet, missing the school talent show, and drifting from her best friend. Who is she supposed to talk to now?
Just when Amelia feels completely alone, a new classmate arrives, and things slowly begin to shift. Set in a charming seaside town in Portugal and paired with tender black-and-white illustrations, Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a lyrical and heartfelt middle grade debut about healing, friendship, and finding your voice.
Here’s why readers love Calvin and the Sugar Apples:
• EMOTIONAL HONESTY: A gentle and relatable story that helps kids process grief, loss, and change with sensitivity and warmth.
• A HEROINE TO REMEMBER: Amelia is awkward, curious, and full of heart—an unforgettable narrator with a voice that rings true.
• FOR HOME AND CLASSROOM: Ideal for read-alouds, SEL curriculum, or any child going through big feelings or shifting friendships.
• CULTURAL DEPTH: A vivid Portuguese setting offers a refreshing global backdrop for a deeply personal story.
• ART THAT CONNECTS: Includes 15 expressive black-and-white illustrations that draw readers into Amelia’s world.
A perfect pick for readers ages 7–10 and a must-have for any family or classroom shelf, Calvin and the Sugar Apples reminds us that healing begins with honesty—and that new friendships often blossom when we least expect them.
About The Author
Inês F. Oliveira is a debut author from Portugal, where she lives by the sea with her husband and two children. She holds a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and committed many years to the technological field. That was before turning to words and writing. She believes words have the power to scatter light into children’s eyes and insists on reading aloud with her children every night.
About The Illustrator
Vanessa Balleza is a Venezuelan author and illustrator of children's books, with a knack for capturing warm moments with vivid detail and imagination. She seeks to involve adults and children in fostering a lifelong love of reading and art, using the power of imagination and creativity as her tools. Vanessa lives in Saint Cloud, Florida, with her husband and two children.
Product Details
- Publisher: The Collective Book Studio (August 29, 2023)
- Length: 240 pages
- ISBN13: 9781685550707
- Ages: 7 - 10
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Raves and Reviews
"Original, deftly crafted, and inherently interesting from start to finish."
– Midwest Book Review
"A sensitive and rich children’s novel—a thoughtful, warm reflection on overcoming loss and embracing change."
– Foreword Magazine
"Debut author Oliveira’s lush prose brings the Portugal setting to life and portrays Amelia’s grief with realism. Her struggle to manage her emotions, as well as the deeper understanding she reaches of herself and the people around her, is endearing and rewarding. Balezza’s b&w pencil illustrations appear throughout, adding nuance to Amelia’s heightened feelings."
– Publishers Weekly
"This book is beautifully written with a poetic feel that’s perfect for middle grade kids. Middle grade kids are often dealing with their big feelings about friendships, confidence, worthiness, loneliness, and sadness, and this story will capture not only theirs but anyone’s heart."
– Gloria Amescua, author of Child of the Flower-Song People, a 2022 Américas Award Winner, a 2021 Junior Library Guild selection, an ALSC 2022 Notable Children Books, and a Pura Belpré Honor Book
"With language more poetic than prosaic, Oliveira tells Amelia's story for all the kids out there who have trouble expressing themselves. It will break and heal your heart all at once."
– Cookie Hiponia, author of We Belong
"Calvin and the Super Apples is a heartfelt, touching story about what it means to be a friend, coming to terms with loss and the emotional stages of grief."
– Samantha "Sam" Mina, Librarian/Influencer
"Plotted as crisply as a ballet, with all the down-to-earth details of family life, brimming with color and humorous asides, this is a book unafraid of dealing with the weight of grief that exists even within the young."
– Katherine Vaz, author of Saudade, Mariana (in six languages), Our Lady of the Artichokes, Fado & Other Stories, and Above the Salt (Flatiron Books/Macmillan, November 2023)
"This delicately told story deals with the weight of missing a treasured companion in a nuanced and balanced way through the eyes of a child who finds strength and comfort in new and unexpected ways. It will warm your heart!"
– Tina Athaide, author of Orange for the Sunsets and Meena's Mindful Moment
"Ten-year-old Amelia is sometimes awkward, often tongue-tied, and ALWAYS a bright shining star, even when she doesn’t know it. Readers will adore her!"
– Lauren Myracle, author of best-selling books, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r
"Calvin and the Sugar Apples is a big warm hug of a debut, as wise as it is charming, and a wholehearted ode to friendship as it helps us to heal and reconnect."
– Adele Griffin, author of The Becket List: A Blackberry Farm Story
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): Calvin and the Sugar Apples
eBook 9781685550707
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Author Photo (jpg): Inês F. Oliveira
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