Max Makes a Cake
What’s inside...
Baby sisters can be so annoying! That's what Max thinks. Max needs his daddy's help-right now!-to bake a surprise Passover birthday cake for his mommy. But as baby Trudy fusses instead of napping, and Daddy tries to settle her down, their time to bake is slipping away. With her warm and pithy storytelling, Michelle Edwards captures the moment in a child's life when he realizes that he has the power to do things on his own.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Max felt when he decided to make a cake on his own?
Why is it important to help others, like how Max wanted to help make his mom's birthday special?
What would you do if you were Max and encountered a problem while trying to make the cake?
How do you think teamwork helped in the story?
Can you think of a time you tried something new on your own? How did it go?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to Max’s situation to foster empathy and a deeper understanding.
Discuss the idea of problem-solving and resilience shown by Max, asking how they might apply similar techniques in their own life.
Point out emotions portrayed in the illustrations and ask your child to guess how the characters might be feeling to enhance emotional recognition skills.
Praise your child for unique insights or connections they make, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Max faces a challenge when he wants to make a birthday cake for his mom but encounters multiple setbacks. Instead of giving up, he creatively uses the resources available to him.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think on their feet and find alternative solutions when their initial plans do not work out, preparing them for unforeseen situations in real life.
Example Lesson: Independence
Explanation: Throughout the story, Max takes it upon himself to prepare a special surprise for his mom, demonstrating initiative and self-reliance.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to undertake tasks on their own, enhancing their confidence and ability to act independently in daily activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family
Explanation: Max’s motivation is to make his mom happy on her special day, highlighting the significance of family and doing kind acts for loved ones.
Real-World Application: Reinforces the value of family bonds and teaches children the joy of caring and sharing within the family.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Max uses unconventional methods and ingredients to make the cake when traditional ones are not available.
Real-World Application: Stimulates creativity in children, encouraging them to think innovatively and use their imagination to solve problems.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Max remains patient and persistent despite challenges, showing that great results require time and effort.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the virtue of patience and the importance of persevering through difficulties to achieve their goals.