Review by Booklist Review
When a family goes to the beach, the youngest member immediately gets to work making sand cakes and offering them to everyone she can find. Over the course of the day, even though her treats become more complex--sun tarts and beach breads decorated with clever ingredients like seaweed, shells, and sea glass--not even the crabs and seagulls are interested. Undeterred, she finally builds an elaborate sweet shop, "filled with goodies to the top," which is enthusiastically consumed by none other than the ocean itself, much to the girl's delight. Cheery illustrations swirl across the pages, reinforcing the magic of creativity, while the variety of skin tones represented makes it easy for any reader to see themselves in this seaside setting. Rhythmic, rhyming, and sometimes tongue-twisty text makes for a lively and engaging read-aloud. Young audiences are sure to enjoy this celebration of creating and sharing, and the girl's inventive delicacies may even inspire readers to go make some sand cakes, mud pies, or dirt donuts of their own.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--The ebullient main character in this energetic picture book is making treats at the beach, except no one wants to eat them. Even though each delight is decorated with things like seaweed, sea glass, and shells, they are turned down. Undeterred, she continues creating more and more beach treats, until finally she finds a taker--the ocean waves. The lovely, pastel-colored artwork beautifully reflects the girl's hard work and determination, even if no one really appreciates her efforts. The message of working hard as its own reward, and the path to happiness, is one that young readers and adults alike will appreciate. VERDICT A sweet story of hard work, enthusiasm, and ultimately finding the right audience.--Debbie Tanner
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A trip to the seashore becomes a day of toil for a little baker loaded with imagination. As this rhythmic picture book begins, a tot is hard at work creating sand cakes sprinkled with rocks. Clad in a seafoam green swimsuit with scalloped edges on the shoulders, the protagonist has long brown hair that mimics the curls in the waves. The child makes sand pies and tarts, trimming the innovative treats with sea-glass berries and seaweed. But no one wants to try these amazing creations. Not the child's older siblings or dog, not even the seagulls. Each rejection makes the protagonist more determined to whip up something better, and the youngster makes a smorgasbord of delightfully named, tongue-twisting delicacies. The illustrations match the child's creativity, with a dizzying display of ocean creatures and treasures atop baking extravagances. Who wouldn't want to pretend to gobble up such amazing riches? The repeating text pattern is clear and effective, perfect for reading aloud. Though the child leaves the beach satisfied at last, readers may hope that next time the youngster will be joined by friends with stronger imaginations. The protagonist is tan-skinned; other characters, including the little one's family, vary in skin tone. An ebullient read-aloud filled with beachy and bakery delights.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.