Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A crew of fairy-like "bakerinas" labor in Sugar Plum and Mr. Gingerbread's kitchen to create 12 international sweets for holiday distribution. But though the group races to finish before an approaching storm, they struggle to work as a team, and one particularly independent sous chef repeatedly goes missing. Management nevertheless spurs them on with a refrain: "With a pinch of hope and a dash of zing, we can do anything!" Eventually, the treats are made--including Christmas sugar cookies and benne wafers for Kwanzaa, both representing the U.S.; Caribbean coconut tarts for Christmas; Filipino ensaymadas for Noche Buena; and Japanese daifuku mochi for New Year's. And though the storm seems fierce, their chaotic coworker offers up imaginative transport. Lui's painterly digital renderings showcase the bakerinas, portrayed with various skin tones, hard at work, and while culinary details sometimes weigh down the telling, Tanumihardja nevertheless cooks up informative holiday fare. Back matter includes list of desserts and a recipe. Ages 3--7. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--This picture book explores the yummy goodness of the holidays with the help of fairies and the baked goods they are preparing for delivery to children the world over. Unfortunately, one of the bakers is causing a bit of havoc with his not-so-helping hand: Echo wants to help, but he isn't having success. The fairies get frustrated with him, as they are running out of time to have their delicacies ready before the impending snowstorm. But when they realize Echo is gone, they start to understand what he added to each of the recipes with his own special type of zing. Readers will see in Echo's story how everyone has special gifts to add to any team. Country flags on pages with treats help readers identify where that treat is from. Lui's illustrations of whimsical fairies working together to make the treats will have readers licking their lips and wanting recipes to try at home. Luckily, Tanumihardja shares an easy recipe for brigadeiros in the back of the book for young bakers. Explanations of each featured specialty add to the overall lesson that while treats from around the world might all be different, they are equally delicious--just like how all members of a team are important. VERDICT A fun addition to holiday literature that incorporates the importance of teamwork and diversity.--Darla Kaminsky
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Five bakerinas make international desserts to deliver around the world. Magical helpers assist Sugar Plum and Mr. Gingerbread in their wintry cottage, baking and cooking for many festivals in countries all over the globe: Kwanzaa in the United States, Hanukkah in Israel, Lunar New Year in Indonesia, and Christmas in many places including the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, Cuba, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands, Spain, and Germany. There is a slight, though perhaps overly sweet, story here. Rosevine, Peablossom, Moonrider, and Kai happily work together, but Echo is always doing his own thing. He uses his "fairy zing" to improve the Kwanzaa benne wafers but forgets to grease the pan for the Spanish turron. He eventually saves the day when a blizzard rages and the usual vehicle (unseen) can't fly. Characters have different skin tones; Echo is brown-skinned. Though wings are mentioned, they aren't seen on any of the characters. Formatting inconsistencies detract: Small flags labeled with each delicacy appear in the busy, colorful digital illustrations, with country names inserted nearby, but sometimes that information is not available until the backmatter section "About the Treats." A page referencing Hanukkah displays a seven-branched candelabra, not the eight-branched special menorah used for this holiday. Disappointingly, only one recipe, for brigadeiros (Brazilian chocolate balls), is provided. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A little too saccharine. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
