Cake
It seems extremely difficult to do a great book for little ones when the main character is an inanimate object. However, this one is excellent. The writing is simple, yet the story is perfect. In the first half of the story, Cake is looking for a hat, and the author’s idea of a hat for Cake, as well as the dilemma Cake gets into later, are both wonderfully creative. Additionally, the story is relatable and engaging, as the whole story is a situation a person could imagine a cake, if it was able to think and interact independently, getting into.
The illustrations too are top notch, the style complementing the writing style perfectly. The cake is drawn hilariously and with cute expressions, and we could feel Cake’s personality throughout the story. The emotions we felt throughout the story, another necessary component of a great book for little ones, range from anticipation and excitement to suspense and surprise at the end and are present in both word and picture. There’s a part near the end where there are no words and the illustrations continue the story well.
Cautions: There is a bit of suspense in the story, something my little one audibly reacted to, but as I’ve said in other reviews, to me anytime my little one feels emotions in response to a story it’s a great story. Though I mention it here as I like to have a heads up to be able to explain more intense emotions like suspense when we hit them in the story.
