From the Publisher
[T]he hilarious Food Group series continues to provide plenty of belly laughs (thanks to puns galore!) and mini buns of wisdom in a wholly effervescent package...[A]n an excellent addition to the menu. A deliciously sweet reminder to try one’s unique best. — Kirkus Reviews
A sustaining picture book from the Food Group series. — Booklist
One for the shelves on cooking or self-esteem, this dishes up a nutritious message, liberally sprinkled with puns, metaphors, and double entendres. — School Library Journal
Booklist
A sustaining picture book from the Food Group series.
Booklist
A sustaining picture book from the Food Group series.
School Library Journal
10/08/2021
Gr 1–2—Wordplay spices up this latest entry in the creators' "food group" picture book series, as a once shy sugar cookie describes how they got over feeling lost at sea in class with some help from a savvy schoolteacher. It all starts with a chewy homework assignment from Ms. Biscotti to "create something completely original." A few half-baked efforts later—like a sculptured selfie that winds up "a complete bust!"—sweet success arrives in the form of a confessional poem titled "My Crumby Days" that earns the sugar cookie praise from all listeners. As frosting on the cake, cookie also gets the self-confidence to keep writing, to try new things, and to accept the occasional failure. Oswald surrounds the big-eyed biscuit with a diverse and similarly nongendered cast of smiling baked goods, all busily involved in play, projects, and like means of finding their own recipes for success. "There's always more to learn!" the triumphant treat concludes. "Because we're all smart cookies." VERDICT One for the shelves on cooking or self-esteem, this dishes up a nutritious message, liberally sprinkled with puns, metaphors, and double entendres.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, NY
Kirkus Reviews
2021-09-24
This smart cookie wasn’t alwaysa smart cookie.
At the corner of Sweet Street stands a bakery, which a whole range of buns and cakes and treats calls home, including a small cookie who “didn’t feel comfortable speaking up or sharing” any ideas once upon a time. During the early days of gingerbread school, this cookie (with sprinkles on its top half, above its wide eyes and tiny, smiling mouth) never got the best grades, didn’t raise a hand to answer questions, and almost always finished most tests last, despite all best efforts. As a result, the cookie would worry away the nights inside of a cookie jar. Then one day, kind Ms. Biscotti assigns some homework that asks everyone “to create something completely original.” What to do? The cookie’s first attempts (baking, building a birdhouse, sculpting) fail, but an idea strikes soon enough. “A poem!” Titling its opus “My Crumby Days,” the budding cookie poet writes and writes until done. “AHA!” When the time arrives to share the poem with the class, this cookie learns that there’s more than one way to be smart. John and Oswald’s latest installment in the hilarious Food Group series continues to provide plenty of belly laughs (thanks to puns galore!) and mini buns of wisdom in a wholly effervescent package. Oswald’s artwork retains its playful, colorful creative streak. Although slightly less effective than its predecessors due to its rather broad message, this one’s nonetheless an excellent addition to the menu.(This book was reviewed digitally.)
A deliciously sweet reminder to try one’s unique best. (Picture book. 4-8)
