By Sabrina Novacov
In My Crumby Guide to Baking and Friendship Making, author Shannon Addison blends the warmth of the kitchen with the heart of childhood friendship, creating a book that’s as meaningful as it is fun. Rooted in real-life experiences and inspired by a moment of clarity while volunteering at her daughter’s school, Addison set out to craft a resource that not only entertains but empowers kids with tools to navigate challenges with empathy and kindness. Here’s our interview with Shannon Addison, where she shares the inspiration behind her book and what’s next for her as an author.
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Q: What inspired you to combine baking with the theme of friendship in my book My Crumby Guide to Baking and Friendship Making.
A: The heart of my brand has always been about friendship. The idea first began taking shape when I was volunteering at my daughter’s school and had lunch with her one afternoon. As I sat with her, I couldn’t help but notice the interactions happening at a nearby table. The subtle, but very real, social dynamics among the girls—exclusion, intimidation, and unkindness—were playing out right in front of me, and yet, completely unnoticed by the adults in the room. It was in that moment I knew I wanted to create something that could give girls the tools to build empathy, kindness, and acceptance, both for themselves and for others.
At first, baking wasn’t part of the plan. But after the COVID lockdown, when so many families were suddenly spending more time together, I noticed a powerful trend: people were gathering in the kitchen. Parents and kids were bonding over baking bread and making cookies, and something about it felt timeless and grounding. That’s when it clicked for me, the kitchen could be the perfect place for connection. Baking together opened the door for natural conversations, and I realized these were the exact conversations we should be having with our children all the time. And while it seems so obvious to me now (given that my characters all have bread-shaped heads) to have a baking book and baking line as a part of my brand, it was always going to be about friendship and connection.
That’s how My Crumby Guide to Baking and Friendship Making was born. It blends the joy of baking with meaningful lessons on friendship, creating a space where families can share not just recipes, but heart-to-heart conversations that matter most.
Q: The book blends playfulness with heart—how did you balance the “fun” with the meaningful lessons?
A: When I began writing My Crumby Guide to Baking and Friendship Making, I knew the heart of the book would focus on the real issues kids (especially girls) face every day at school and with their friends. Conflicts, hurt feelings, and the drama of navigating friendships can feel overwhelming, and I wanted to create a resource that acknowledged those struggles while still reminding kids that childhood should be filled with joy and play. Because let’s face it, kids need less drama and a lot more fun.
I’ve always believed that children thrive when they spend less time in front of screens and more time engaging in unstructured, “free-range” play, learning how to laugh, share, compromise, and problem-solve with their peers. That belief guided how I structured this book. Each story not only explores real-life challenges but also ends with thoughtful discussion prompts. These questions are designed to help kids reflect on what happened, connect it to their own experiences, and think through more positive ways to handle similar situations in their friendships.
Of course, nothing replaces the lessons kids naturally learn by being around one another. But by presenting scenarios pulled straight from real life, the book gives children a safe place to explore what works, what doesn’t, and how to make better choices. The result is a blend of fun, creativity, and meaningful lessons that help kids strengthen their problem-solving skills; skills that will serve them not only in friendships but throughout their lives.
Q: What was your favorite part when writing your children’s book?
A: My favorite part of writing this book is also what turned out to be the most challenging, I taught myself how to bake while creating it! This is the second book in The Breadcrumbz Present series, and learning to bake each type of bread represented by my characters—Penelope Pumpernickel, Rachel Rye, Samantha Sourdough, Whitney Wheat, Fiona Focaccia, and Briana Brioche—was both an adventure and a steep learning curve. The process of figuring out how to break up complex baking steps into kid-friendly explanations was demanding, but ultimately incredibly rewarding.
What surprised me most was how much the baking journey deepened my connection to each character. With Penelope, I learned to appreciate the history and bold flavor of pumpernickel. Through Samantha, I discovered how caring for a sourdough starter can completely transform taste and texture. Focaccia, which I already loved, revealed itself to be delightfully easy, and so much fun to decorate with vegetable “art.” Brioche challenged me with its delicate process, but showed me just how versatile and rich bread can be when handled with patience and care.
Each bread carried its own story, quirks, and personality—just like the characters themselves. What began as a daunting task turned into a newfound passion for baking and a deep respect for the craft. Blending that knowledge with my characters’ unique traits made the brand come alive in a whole new way, and in the end, I developed not only a book but also a genuine love for baking that I never expected.
Q: With you book centered around baking, if you could bake with any famous chef or baker, who would it be and what would you bake?
A: If I could bake with any famous chef or baker, I would choose Jessamyn Rodriguez, the founder and CEO of Hot Bread Kitchen. For me, it’s not just about the bread, it’s about the mission. Jessamyn built her bakery in East Harlem with the vision of training low-income minority women and immigrants in bread-making and bakery management, giving them real opportunities to create better futures. I deeply admire how she has combined the art of bread baking with a powerful social purpose, and I like to think of my own work in a similar light, using bread and baking as a way to inspire kindness, confidence, and connection in the next generation of girls.
If we had the chance to bake together, I’d love for us to make focaccia. Not only is it delicious and versatile, but decorating focaccia with colorful vegetables allows us to lean into our creative sides and turn baking into art. More than anything, though, simply meeting her and learning from her experience would be an honor.
Q: What projects and/or books are next in store for you?
A: I’m so excited about what’s next for My Crumby World! Beyond expanding the website with new baking kits—like a Sourdough Starter Kit designed just for kids—and more problem-solving packets featuring our fun finger puppets, I’m thrilled to be releasing my next book, My Crumby Guide to Being Different. This book doesn’t just talk about why being different matters, it celebrates it. I’ll never forget finishing one of the stories where the girls rally around each other instead of tearing one another down. With tears in my eyes, I shouted, “I love what I do!” That moment reminded me how meaningful this work truly is.
What drives me is knowing that parents will feel proud to share this content with their kids—because they’ll see the value in the lessons of kindness, acceptance, and connection. At the same time, I’m working hard to grow my YouTube channel so kids can get to know the Breadcrumbz characters and the messages behind them. My dream is the day a child points with excitement and says, “Look, Mom—it’s Penelope Pumpernickel!” or “Can we get a Whitney Wheat? She’s my favorite!” That will be the moment I know my vision has come to life: a brand that makes kids feel seen, celebrated, and inspired.
Bio: Shannon is a writer, speaker, and mom of two daughters who turned personal experience into purpose. After witnessing the effects of relational aggression and anxiety in her daughter's life, she created My Crumby World to help other families build stronger emotional bonds through creative tools. My Crumby World is a story-driven brand that empowers young girls through engaging short stories, baking activities, and problem-solving adventures. At its core are The Breadcrumbz--four quirky, lovable characters: Penelope Pumpernickel, Rachel Rye, Samantha Sourdough, and Whitney Wheat. Together, they help girls navigate friendship, confidence, emotional health, and identity. Her work has been praised for its relatability, warmth, and real-world impact. Shannon speaks with heart and humor to parents and educators about building confidence and connection in young girls.
Website: https://mycrumbyworld.com/
Instagram: @mycrumbyworld
Spousely Shop Link: https://spouse-ly.com/product/my-crumby-guide-to-baking-and-friendship-making/
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