I just finished reading Lemons and…More Lemons by A.D. Williams and Kendal Fordham, and wow—I wasn’t expecting such a heartwarming and eye-opening read, especially from a kids’ book. This story follows a boy named Mark on his summertime journey as a young entrepreneur running a lemonade stand. But it’s much more than that. It’s about family, dreams, business smarts, community, money lessons, and a squirrel named Mansa who somehow drops more wisdom than most adults. Through conversations with his mom, uncle, cousin, and a few new faces, Mark learns about budgeting, investing, ownership, and even whether or not to take on a business partner.

I love the vibe of this children’s book. The writing is super fun and easy to follow but never feels like it is talking down to young readers. It has real heart. One of my favorite parts is when Mark’s mom breaks down the family budget at the dinner table. It’s such an honest family moment. The whole “income is positive, expenses are negative, like a hug versus a push” analogy is brilliant and funny. The scene where Mark realizes they don’t own their house is such a relatable, awkward, and important conversation about homeownership and gentrification, and the authors handle it with care.

Another standout moment is the wild purple brownies made with ube. Mark and Cuzzo try them at Jimmy’s house. I love how that one scene turns into a whole new business idea. But what hits even harder is Mark’s inner debate about partnering with Jimmy’s dad to grow his lemonade empire. I could feel the weight of his decisions. It reminded me how complicated growing something can be, especially when it means giving up control. Still, the authors didn’t push one answer. They let Mark explore and think, which I loved because it felt real.

This book is written for children, but it’s packed with life lessons most adults could use a refresher on. If you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who likes inspiring, feel-good stories with real heart and humor then Lemons and… More Lemons is a solid pick. It’s smart, sweet, funny, and full of juicy life wisdom.

Pages: 48 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DWTD8PP7