July 2013, Corgi, 32 pages, Paperback, Review copy
Themes: fairies,
magic, flying, baking cakes and sweet goodies, helping in a bakery, trying to
do something yourself,
accepting help and different skills from others, running out of ingredients,
keeping a secret, sort of lying, dilemmas, pretty outfits, friendship lessons,
Content: lots of
smiles to be had
Summary from Random House Children's Books
When an important messenger arrives at the Blossom Bakery on opening day asking Cupcake and her fairy friends
to make a cake for Princess Crystal, they can't wait to get started.
But things start to go wrong and as the pressure mounts, the fairy
friends realise they need to work together to make the magic happen.
Nayuleska's thoughts
I'm
predominantly reviewing these two books in one go as some comments apply to
both. This is an adorable new series for young readers. Naturally I thought of
another series which this sort of reminds me of - no not Winx! It's Strawberry
Shortcake (without wings) as each Blossom Bakery tale evolves around the
girls' friendship and the misunderstandings they experience.
 |
| Blossom Bakery grils |
 |
| Strawberry Shortcake girls: from the left: Plum Pudding, Blueberry Muffin, Orange Blossom, Strawberry Shortcake, Cherry Jam, Raspberry Tort, Lemon Meringue) |
The
pictures are part of this review because it shows that readers who have
watched/read other vaguely alike shows/books that Blossom Bakery fairies are
girls they want to get to know - I definitely did!
I loved
finding out the different skills the girls have, how they learn the hard way
that form extra special occasions you often can't do a good job on your own
(Cupcake and the Princess Party) and friends will understand a situation more
than you give them credit for (Secret Sleepover). The detail of the delightful
illustrations makes each page worth several more, for readers can imagine the
hours it took Cupcake to make all the cakes that weren't quite right (Princess
Party), and the anger/frustration/disappointment Cookie receives (Secret Sleepover).
The
reason that both these books lose a grade is that they are confusing. It
doesn't seem that Cupcake goes to the same Fairy Academy as the other girls -
in both Princess Party and Secret Sleepover she doesn't go there and no one
says they missed her. She seems the same age as the others, so why is she
missing school? It doesn't say that she is super advanced at magic thus not
needing to go to school. I think most readers won't pick up on this point, but
it's one I've noticed. To end on
a positive note I love how each book has a recipe at the end which relates to
the food baked in the story - they aren't the same!
Suggested
read
For more
magical cupcake fun check out Princess Milly's Mixed-Up Magic: Birthday Surprise by Clemency Pearce & Lauren Beard (Children's, Picture book, 10/10E)
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