Sarah Jane Conklin has a knack for weaving warmth, wisdom, and whimsy into her picture books. Her latest What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce? (Monster House Publishing, 2024) follows nine-year-old Alanna as she learns about generosity, community, and the magic of sharing a meal. Like Conklin’s previous book What’s in Flora’s Shoebox? (Monster House Publishing, 2022), this new story is rich with meaning: specifically, it invites young readers to reflect on themes of sharing, food security, and human connection.
Food is a recurring theme in Conklin’s books, as a literal and metaphorical ingredient that adds flavour and connects people. “Food is a necessity of life, yet it is also so much more,” offers Conklin. “It defines places and moments in time, bringing families and strangers together in loving and unexpected ways. It stirs waves of nostalgia, offers comfort, and sparks bursts of excitement.” For Conklin, the emotional significance of food harkens directly back to childhood – most notably “my mother’s homemade bread, my father’s love of Sunday dinners, and the way food always seemed to bring everyone together at the table.”
This nostalgic association rings true throughout What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce?, where the act of preparing a meal becomes a potent avenue for connection and transformation. The story’s vibrant setting is a backyard garden where Alanna and her Nan harvest ingredients for their special sauce. It is inspired by a small greenhouse Conklin set up in her yard, where she grows cherry tomatoes and herbs. She smiles, “The experience of my granddaughter and me picking tomatoes and herbs together to make pasta sauce and pesto is heartwarming, fulfilling, and truly magical.” Conklin wanted Alanna to experience such tiny moments of discovery in the book, and imbuing the book with this sense of childlike wonder makes the garden feel like a living, breathing character in itself.
A wise grandmother
At the heart of the story is Nan, a wise and compassionate grandmother who guides Alanna toward a more generous outlook. As a grandmother herself, Conklin cherishes the opportunity to share pieces of wisdom. For her, what matters most is to “believe in unexpected possibilities”: “Sometimes, we must let go of our desire for control and allow the universe to unfold as it should.”
This kind of instinctive trust forms a deliberate and powerful undercurrent in the book: “Alanna’s grandmother embodies this belief, having faith that her community will come together for the greater good.” And Conklin herself is also a proponent, explaining that “this sentiment resonates with me and continues to inspire my own outlook.”
One of the most delightful aspects of Conklin’s writing is her ability to layer deeper messages beneath engaging, child-friendly storytelling. Alanna’s journey—from wanting the “biggest share” to embracing generosity—is a nuanced exploration of personal growth. When Conklin wrote What’s in Flora’s Shoebox? and What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce?, her goal was to create stories that addressed critical social issues, while remaining relatable to children.
A two-level story
The stories operate on two levels: one lighthearted, and one more thought-provoking. Conklin notes pragmatically that “the story must first be enjoyable, for children then to grasp the deeper message.” So in the book, Alanna starts out with a strong sense of wanting things “just for herself”. But through the joy of making the pasta sauce and seeing how much happiness it brings others, she naturally shifts toward generosity.
The book, she insists “is not about telling kids to share. It’s about helping them feel the joy of” sharing. And by centering the main lesson within the fun of a potluck gathering where unexpected happenings are embraced, Conklin creates an organic and accessible way for young readers to understand the joy of giving.
Rhymes and pictures
Conklin has composed her narrative in rhyming verse, a stylistic choice that is often discouraged in publishing. But having grown up in a household where her family wrote poems for special occasions, writing in verse came naturally to her. Nonetheless, she grants that “creating children’s books in rhyme is more tedious and complex than it might seem” – primarily because of the juggling act required: “The content must reflect current societal norms, appeal to children, and be easy to read aloud.” Judging by the clarity of Conklin’s text, rhyme for her is not a constraint but an enhancement. The book proves that when rhyme is done well, it can enhance young readers’ engagement and comprehension skills.
Of course, illustration plays a crucial role in picture books, and Conklin’s renewed partnership with illustrator Venus Angelica’s visual storytelling once again proves fruitful. “Illustration is a unique art form that requires specific talent and skills,” notes an appreciative Conklin. “Illustrators have the ability to envision the ideas that authors want to convey, capturing moments and expanding on concepts.” And they’re crucial for drawing readers in, for “in picture books, illustrations are often what initially attract young readers.” In What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce?, Conklin is delighted with how “Venus beautifully captured the whimsical essence of both Flora and Alanna through her character design and colour palette.” One especially charming touch is Angelica’s inclusion of hidden creatures – a mouse on each page of What’s in Flora’s Shoebox? and an elf on each page of What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce? This adds an extra layer of Where’s Waldo?-style engagement for young readers.
An important and timely message
Of course, within the warmth and delight that infuses What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce? lie sobering themes of food scarcity and the ethics of sharing. For Conklin, children and families – all of us – must begin grappling with some uncomfortable realities, which she pithily summarizes: “Food is a basic necessity for survival. Yet it has become entrenched as a commodity: accessible only to those who can afford it, while its absence stigmatizes those who cannot.”
So she hopes to inspire young readers, along with their families and teachers, to think about food precarity and generosity in their own lives. “By supporting local food banks, advocating for fair agricultural practices, and embracing a culture of sharing over hoarding, we can transform food into a symbol of fellowship,” she notes, before allowing herself a moment to dream bigger: “Together, we can create a world where food is not merely a means of survival, but a source of joy, connection and community for everyone.”
Ultimately, What’s in Alanna’s Secret Sauce? is both a charming picture book and a gentle nudge to reflect on what it means to share. Its simple, provocative call “Imagine if our secret sauce / Could make the whole world smile!” will linger well beyond the final page, leaving young readers (and their grown-ups) with an appreciation of how food and sharing connect us all – and can connect us more.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine 2025
