Cakes in Space
#3 of 4 in A Not-So-Impossible Tale Series
What’s inside...
Astra and her family are traveling through space to their new home on Nova Mundi when their spaceship is suddenly attacked by killer cupcakes, batty battenbergs, and marauding muffins. With the help of her robot friend Pilbeam, Astra must find a way to stop these cakey fiends before they destroy the ship. After all, it should be people eating cakes, not the other way around. This outer space adventure is packed with illustrations on almost every page.
Discussion points
What would you do if you were Astra and encountered the Nom-O-Trons in space?
How do the different characters in the story help Astra on her adventure?
What could be the reason behind the cakes turning into aliens?
If you could invent a cake for a space journey, what special features would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine being in Astra’s shoes, enhancing empathy and creative thinking.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as shown through various characters assisting Astra.
Explore together how unexpected problems, like alien cakes, can be solved with clever thinking.
Suggest drawing or creating their version of a 'space cake' after reading to blend creativity with comprehension.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: In 'Cakes in Space', the protagonist Astra must navigate unexpected challenges when the cakes on her spaceship come to life. She uses her wit and resources to tackle the problem.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking on their feet and using creativity to solve problems they encounter in daily activities or school projects.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Astra takes responsibility for the havoc caused by the sentient cakes, even though she did not create them intentionally. Her actions teach accountability.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take ownership of their actions and understand the impact they can have on others, whether it's in their interactions with friends or in their duties at home.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, Astra collaborates with the ship's robot to manage the mischievous cakes. This highlights the power of working together to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded of the value of cooperation and how working with others can often lead to better solutions and more fun.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: Astra's adventure begins with her curiosity about the spaceship’s food-making machine, leading her to learn more about the technology and unintended consequences of her actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson supports a child's natural curiosity and emphasizes the importance of learning from every situation, whether the outcomes are expected or not.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Unforeseen Situations
Explanation: The book shows how Astra deals with the crisis of the aggressive cakes, adapting to a rapidly changing environment.
Real-World Application: It prepares children to remain calm and resourceful in unexpected situations, teaching them to adapt and look for solutions rather than feeling overwhelmed.