This is a short story about Madeline and the consequences of the different potions she is gifted each year on her birthday from her wizened grandpa.
Written in the form of poetry, I found it both entertaining (a good pace accompanied with cute illustrations) and with a meaningful narrative that cleverly explores ideas of loss and pain with a magical twist.
I give this 4.5 star

I will be leaving this review on Goodreads

Madeline and her Grandfather have a very close fun bond.

The illustrations in this book is amazing, eye catching and very well layer out.
It’s colourful so makes it very eye catching for young children (and this adult loved it too!).

Each birthday of Madeleines her Grandfather provides her with a potion and a wink of “don’t drink the pink”.

Each potion explores magical things for Madeline that will enthral each child who reads this or has it read to them. The wonders of it all spikes magic.

It was sad when I got to a part at the end but I soon cheered up with the happier ending.

Such a wonderful magical book with a great opening for discussion between a child and her live for her Grandfather.

Highly recommended.

This colourful book is actually kind of a unicorn: it's a self-published picture-book that's actually good. I can probably count on one hand the number of those I've come across.

Don't Drink the Pink is a sweet rhyming story chronicling the ongoing relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. Every year on her birthday, her grandfather lets her choose a new potion from his stash, always with the same admonition: "Just don't drink the pink." As Madeline works through the various potions between her first and fourteenth birthdays, she gets to experience (presumably temporary) effects such as invisibility, flying, telekinesis, and even being a mermaid. The twist arrives on her fifteenth birthday, when we finally discover what happens if you "drink the pink".

The meter and rhyme are surprisingly good here, making it a great title to read aloud. And the illustrations are really quite lovely. The setting seems to be historical, based on the clothes and technological level portrayed in the pictures. Both the story and the illustrations work together seamlessly to produce a magical tale of a special relationship.

Be sure to check this one out if you like stories of grandparent/grandchild relationships and fun fantasy twists.

Author B.C.R. Fegan has written several children's books, fairytales and Young Adult Books. With his books he received several awards and prizes. Augustus 2019 his new book Don't Drink the Pink is published. A book especially written for young readers (children in the age of 3 - 8 years).

With Don't Drink the Pink Fegan is giving his readers a magical experience. A beautiful poetic picturebook about the girl Madeline who receives a birthdaypressent from her special and dear grandpa every year. It's not just a present, it's a very special and colorfull bottle - she can pick the color herself. There's only one rule...

"Happy Birthday, Madeline," he said with a wink. "Take a potion, take a brew. Just don't drink the pink."

And so it happens that every year on her birthday Madeline gets to choose a beautiful colorful bottle with a special power. She changes in to a mermaid, a giant and is able to walk through walls. Every year her grandpa comes and presents her the same ritual. Only every year the colors and the powers of the bottles are different. Till her 15th birthday, her grandpa can't come because he passed away... This is the moment that Madeline is getting the pink file and soon it's clear why she wasn't allowed to pick it before that date. It's powers are really special....

This picturebook has a poetic character. The repetition of the birthdayrime comes back every page - it is recognizable for little children and helps to connect to the story. Besides that there are the numbers and colors that are part of the story. They make sure there's is an educational element for the younger readers.

The beautifull illustrations of Lenny Wen complete the story. The persons look amazing and especially grandpa has a warm and sweet appearance. You don't have to wonder why Madeline likes her grandpa that much.

On top of it all this book can help parents discuss the dificulties surrounding the passing away of grandparents with young children. A difficult but really important task.

This book is a keeper! It's beautiful to read this with your children.

This was such a sweet story with the most colorful and detailed illustrations. I loved seeing the young girl grow up and all her magical gifts from her grandfather. Very imaginative and will be very fun for children!

Great illustrations! Sweet story about a girl and her grandpa with a bit of sadness towards the end.

These days I'm really into children's books. I don't know if it's the illustrations, the simplicity or just the stories that make my day a bit better. This book has a beautiful story and nice illustrations but the best part of the story was, for me at least, the ending. It was bittersweet. I loved it but was at the same time a bit sad. But I think the kids will really like and enjoy it.

A beautifully illustrated magical story a little girl and her relationship with her grandfather. The story is written in verse, very catchy and well written, making it more entertaining and enjoyable to read and share. A wonderful story about family, growing up and I felt great for teaching about ageing and loss.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Don’t Drink the Pink is a beautifully written and illustrated book about a young girl named Madeline and the wonderful relationship she has with her Grandfather Gilderberry. A magical man who each year for her birthday gives her a potion to drink, each potion a different color with a different magical outcome. Growing big, invisible, etc.

The cute rhymes made the story very enjoyable. We got to see Madeleine grow. By the third birthday I was preparing myself for the ending of the story, tissues and a chuckle got me through it!

A wonderful story to teach children about the magical relationships of family and how to deal with loss.