The Bake Shop Ghost
What’s inside...
The charming story of a cranky old ghost, Cora Lee Merriweather, who haunts the bake shop she used to own. Cora Lee, known for her lemon pucker mouth and hair scraped back into a hard little bun, was famous for baking the best pies and cakes for miles. Now as a ghost, she scares away anyone trying to take over her empty bake shop. However, when Annie Washington arrives in town, it appears Cora Lee has finally met her match. Jacqueline K. Ogburn and Marjorie Priceman's enchanting tale combines a baker’s battle with unlocking the secrets of the perfect recipe and a lonely heart.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Miss Cora Lee Merriweather would feel about her shop being used by Annie in the story?
Why do you think the ghost of Cora Lee was initially upset and how did her feelings change throughout the book?
How did Annie manage to make the ghost happy? What does this tell us about understanding others' needs?
What do you think is the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation shown in the book?
If you were in the story, how would you have tried to help the ghost?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts about the ghost's emotions and actions, encouraging your child to express their feelings and perspectives.
While discussing the story, use expressive gestures and tones to match the emotions being talked about. This can help your child connect more deeply with the characters' experiences.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or solutions to the problems presented in the book, enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite scene, which can provide insights into what resonated the most with them.
Relate the themes of the book to personal experiences or familiar situations to make the discussion more relatable and meaningful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: In 'The Bake Shop Ghost,' Miss Cora Lee Merriweather and Annie Washington must work together to solve a problem, showcasing the importance of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working together with their peers in group projects or team sports, learning that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Annie's repeated attempts to please the ghost with various baked goods, despite initial failures, highlight the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to keep trying in the face of challenges, whether it's mastering a new skill or completing a difficult task.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through understanding the ghost’s past and desires, Annie develops empathy, which helps resolve the conflict.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of considering others' feelings and perspectives, which can help in building stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The story revolves around identifying and creatively solving the mystery of the ghost's unrest.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and come up with creative solutions when faced with problems.
Example Lesson: Acceptance
Explanation: Annie’s acceptance of the ghost’s quirks and history plays a crucial role in the story, teaching the importance of acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace individual differences and diversity in their communities and schools.