BAKER MAKERS

An aspiring baker learns to make the best of his mistakes.

This week in Naveen’s Bakers Makers Lab, the class will be making creative cakes. Naveen can’t wait to whip up his dream concoction: a “twelve-layer space-unicorn cake” capable of breathing fire! Although he’s barely baked before, Naveen has learned a lot from cooking shows, looking at pictures of his favorite pastries, and, of course, sampling plenty of sweet treats. So when his teacher gives the class the recipe, he decides that he’s experienced enough to rely on his instincts. Unfortunately, his first attempt is a sloppy, terrible-tasting flop. The next day, he decides to follow the class recipe. Naveen’s second attempt seems like an improvement until he tries to decorate it, and everything falls apart again. Luckily, with a little creativity and a lot of persistence, Naveen turns his cake into something—or, more accurately, a collection of somethings—that is totally different from what he originally planned. The surprising results are nothing short of scrumptious. With witty, lively text and vibrant colors, Smith tells a story that will reassure young readers worried about trying new things. The book’s message isn’t groundbreaking, but its approach is fresh and funny. Naveen is cued as South Asian.

An entertaining and humorous story about the power of creative thinking.