Gold Medal winner of the following literature awards: ● Grand Prize Winner of the Royal Dragonfly Book Award, 2022 ● Wishing Shelf Book Award, 2021 ● B.R.A.G. Medallion, 2022 ● SPR Book Award, 2021 Silver Medal winner: ● Readers' Favorite Book Award 2022 ● Incipere Book Award 2023 "Charmingly written, sweetly illustrated, and filled with a host of unforgettable magical characters – and CHOCOLATE! Highly recommended!" — The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. “Younger readers will be thoroughly entertained … there are surprises on a page-by-page level and wonder aplenty for the target audience.” — Kirkus Reviews “Joyful and whimsical on every page and with no shortage of laughs and thrills.” — Readers' Favorite Book Awards Discover the magical land of Footopia by award-winning author Marc Remus. With over 150 drawings by the author, this children's book is not only a visual delight but also explores critical issues like weight loss, nutrition, and friendship. Follow the Chocolate Clouds and you will find magic ... Everybody in Sugarland is overweight because there’s no food other than sweets. For decades, delicious Chocolate Clouds soared above Choco-Locoville, the hometown of ten-year-old Henry. They would melt in the intense summer sun and chocolate would drip from the sky. Henry’s family collected the drops and made a fortune, building a candy empire that controlled Sugarland’s food supply. One morning, Henry wakes up to the shocking news that the Chocolate Clouds have disappeared. With the family's empire in jeopardy and Sugarland at risk of starvation, Henry now ventures beyond the scary Monster Mountains and embarks on a wild journey. Along the way, he befriends magical creatures, learns about healthy food choices, and discovers that the Chocolate Clouds didn’t just disappear but were actually stolen. Now he must visit the creepy Barebone Island, where monsters are said to live … "Charmingly written, sweetly illustrated, and filled with a host of unforgettable magical characters - and CHOCOLATE! Highly recommended! What a delightful book this is. Not only is it superbly illustrated and full of over-the-top, magical characters, there's also a lot of chocolate in it! And I happen to love chocolate. In fact, I'd go as far as to say, apart from wee and poo, chocolate is the very best subject for a children's book. And I think Roald Dahl would agree! So, what's the plot? In a nutshell, Henry (the hero of the story) is a chubby boy living in Sugarland - where, I might add, everybody is, well, a bit on the flabby side! When the chocolate clouds vanish from the sky, Henry embarks on a wild journey to discover what's happened. What follows is a thrilling adventure for 9 - 12-year-olds, full of magical twists, fantastical characters, and a very scary island. There's also a surprisingly strong 'healthy eating' message parents will love. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The writing style is simple and always accessible, the story is cleverly plotted, and the pencilwork in the illustrations is outstanding. I think any child (or parent) looking for a fun-filled adventure will be very happy they picked this. I love it when I discover a new author I can recommend, and I very much look forward to seeing what Marc Remus has for us next. The book is the winner of the Wishing Shelf Book Award." - The Wishing Shelf Book Award, UK "Author Marc Remus sends readers on a surprising and symbolic ride through the magical land of Foodtopia in his delectable children's book, The Chocolate Clouds . A wholly imaginative story with a strong message for kids, The Chocolate Clouds is at once instructive and page-turning. Though the story is founded on a whimsical premise, the underlying messages are quite serious, given the state of public health and obesity in the world today, particularly when unhealthy eating patterns begin in childhood. Henry's journey to Veggington, the Vegan Woods, Fruitopolis, Barebone Island, and more represent healthy diversity within a person's diet, and while this allegory may feel a bit on-the-nose to adults, it is presented in an entertaining way for young readers, reminding them that sweets and chocolates shouldn't be the pinnacle of cuisine. On an even deeper level, this book comments on the societal problems of industrial dominance; supply chain issues and the fragility of monopolies may be over the heads of the target audience, but it won't be missed by parents reading this book to their kids, and opens up new avenues of discussion. Aside from the richness of the writing and Remus' obvious storytelling skill, the illustrations make the reading experience all the more enjoyable. As the author is an illustrator himself, it makes the story all the more cohesive and immersive. The detailed, sketch-like style is cozy and comforting, wrapping around the text to effectively complement the story, without leading readers too much. Dozens and dozens of stunning graphite