About the Book
What happens when a young chef discovers that her biggest challenge isn’t in the kitchen—but in her own body?
Nine-year-old Zoe Washington loves cooking for her family, rescuing recipes, and inventing new food experiments. But when she starts feeling constantly tired and thirsty, she learns she has something unexpected: Type 2 diabetes. At first, Zoe is scared and unsure—can she still enjoy the foods she loves? Will her friends understand? Will diabetes change who she is?
Instead of giving up, Zoe takes on her diagnosis like a true Sugar Hero. With her recipe notebook, her stuffed dinosaur sidekick, and the support of her family, Zoe begins a new kind of adventure:
Recipe Rescues – Zoe experiments in the kitchen to transform family favorites like mac and cheese, pancakes, and cookies into healthier, diabetes-friendly versions that taste just as delicious.
Glucose Detective Work – Using her glucose meter, Zoe turns science into fun, tracking how food, movement, and feelings affect her blood sugar.
Movement Medicine – With after-dinner dance parties, basketball games, and family walks, Zoe and the Washington crew discover that exercise is one of the best tools for staying healthy.
The Diabetes Toolkit – Zoe learns that managing diabetes takes many tools—healthy food, exercise, medicine, tracking, and most importantly, support from family and friends.
Speaking Up with Courage – From a school presentation to a big family reunion, Zoe teaches others what diabetes really means—and proves she’s not just living with it, she’s thriving.
Richly illustrated in full color, this inspiring and engaging story helps children and families see diabetes through a lens of strength, creativity, and resilience. Zoe doesn’t just learn to manage her diagnosis—she turns it into her superpower, becoming a teacher, leader, and hero for those around her.
The Sugar Heroes Series is dedicated to helping kids understand and thrive with diabetes. Each book combines heartwarming storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and real-world lessons about health, empathy, and courage. With relatable characters and positive messages, these stories spark important conversations while offering hope and encouragement to families everywhere.
Perfect for:
Kids ages 7–12 navigating diabetes or supporting a friend/sibling with diabetes
Families looking for stories that teach health and resilience in a positive way
Classrooms, counselors, and healthcare providers who want child-friendly resources about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Zoe’s Kitchen Mission shows young readers that while diabetes may be a new ingredient in life’s recipe, it doesn’t take away flavor or joy—it adds courage, creativity, and community.
Join Zoe and the Sugar Heroes, and discover how every challenge can be turned into something amazing!