Review by Booklist Review
There is something magical about the pastries from the Bliss family bakery. The residents of Calamity Falls will admit to as much, though they have no idea just how magical. The Bliss children themselves have an inkling, although Rose, the responsible one, would love to know more. When their parents go away, the children promise not to touch the magic Cookery Book (which has been handed down from generation to generation), but it's oh-so-difficult to resist. Throw in the arrival of a long-lost relative and watch the mayhem ensue. Littlewood has written an entertaining family caper; the dynamics between the siblings are amusing, as they unite in the face of the chaos caused by the enchanted recipes, everything from Love Muffins to Cookies of Truth. Although the fiasco is fairly predictable, readers will likely enjoy the fun to be had in sorting out all the trouble. With the ending left wide-open for a sequel, there could very well be more bliss to come.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Follow Your Bliss Bakery has a remedy for everything. Stone Sleep Snickerdoodles can cure sleepwalking, and Fluffy White Macaroons once lifted a neighbor right out of a well. When the Bliss parents go on a business trip, they leave the key to their magical Bliss Cookery Booke with 12-year-old Rosemary, and things go haywire. "Aunt" Lily (a distant cousin) shows up, charming Rosemary's siblings, but Rosemary senses Lily's true aim: to steal the book. The only way to test Lily's trustworthiness is to whip up some of the magical recipes and observe her reactions. After Rosemary's brother distributes their experiments to the whole town, creating crowds of love-struck teenagers, nuns who can't hold their tongues, and general mayhem, Rosemary wonders if she's fit to be a "kitchen magician" after all. Littlewood's first novel mixes the sincere and the silly with entertaining results. This lighthearted family adventure offers a well-meaning and believably insecure heroine, as well as boisterous sibling interactions, and the open-ended finale suggests that readers can expect to see the Bliss family again soon. Ages 8-12. Agent: Michael Stearns and Ted Malawer, the Inkhouse. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Twelve-year-old Rose's mother is an excellent baker, and the lightning bolt or weasel's yawn that she adds to normal ingredients gives her cookies and muffins an extra little something that helps keep trouble at bay in their town. Combating a summer flu epidemic, the mayor of neighboring Humbleton begs the Bliss parents to come to his town to make their almond croissants, known for abating flu symptoms. They demur: How will they keep their home-based bakery operational while they are gone, and who will take care of their four children? They finally agree that Rose and teenage Ty can keep things running with the help of their neighbor and the bakery assistant. Before leaving, the parents lock away the Bliss Cookery Booke and entrust the key to Rose, with instructions that there will be no magic and that the Booke is not to be disturbed. Soon, beautiful, enigmatic Aunt Lily arrives and seems to cast a spell on the children. When she tells them of her plans to host a TV show featuring the most wonderful recipes in the world, Ty and Sage immediately want to let their aunt see the cookbook. As a compromise, Rose agrees that she and Ty can try out a few of the recipes, showing Lily the finished products. Chaos quickly ensues throughout the town when one recipe after another goes slightly wrong. Humor abounds in this sweet story that stresses the importance of family, and readers will enjoy getting to know the eccentric Bliss family. The cliff-hanger ending hints at a sequel.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Rosemary Bliss promises not to unlock the family's magical cookbook ("Bliss Cookery Booke") while her parents are away, but the opportunity arises. Rose; her siblings Thyme, Sage, and Parsley; and a beautiful stranger named "Aunt" Lily experiment with magical recipes that wreak havoc on the town. This whimsical adventure melds baking, sibling camaraderie, magic, and fantasy to diverting effect. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
(Fantasy. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
