Tuesday, July 14, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CUPCAKE! by Terry Border / Book Review



By: Terry Border
Published by: Philomel Books
Released on: 7.7.15
Ages: 5 & up

From the creator of Peanut Butter & Cupcake comes a birthday book starring everyone's favorite dessert!

What's a cupcake to do when she needs to plan her birthday party? In this hilarious, kid-friendly homage to food and birthdays, Cupcake runs through tons of ideas while her best friend, Blueberry Muffin, finds reasons why they won't work: Soup gets seasick; Donut melts in the sun; someome might get squashed during musical chairs; and Cupcake is not very good at limbo (her icing might get sliced off!). Just as Cupcake is ready to crumble, Blueberry Muffin has one last idea that just might save the day. 

With laugh-out-loud visual gags (like a band made up of beans--the musical fruit, of course), this book is sure to put a birthday smile on any kid's face (and on adult faces as well).


If this book doesn't leave you wanting a cupcake, I don't know what book will. The pictures in this book look delicious. 

It's Cupcake's birthday, and she wants to plan a great party for all her friends. Every idea she has, her friend Muffin counters with why it may not work out. As Cupcake and Muffin continue to plan, little does Cupcake know that her friends are planning something of their own to surprise her with.

This was the first picture book I've read who's pictures were of actual food. My initial thought was that it was a little weird, though incredibly smart. Kids will love looking at these pictures. Aside from the pictures, the story itself is okay. I liked the concept of it, but having recently read some outstanding picture books, this book's story fell flat for me. What this book lacked in it's writing, it made up for in it's pictures. Just be warned, you may crave a good cupcake after reading it. 

Over all rating = 2.5 stars (Story wise - the story was okay = 2 stars / Picture wise - the pictures were good = 3 stars).

This book was provided by publisher to review, in exchange for my honest review. Check out the book on Goodreads, purchase it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble. 


I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~