The Magic Cake Shop
What’s inside...
Emma Burblee couldn't be more different from her parents if she tried. She'd rather dig for treasure in a park than try on the latest fashions or discuss her vain parents' favorite subject: themselves. When Emma mortifies her parents at a dinner party, her punishment is immediate. She must spend the summer with her Uncle Simona loathsome man with a huge appetite for food and get-rich-quick schemes.Although Emma's days revolve around cooking and cleaning, there is one bright spot. Her uncle's sweet tooth means she gets to visit the town bakery, Mr. Crackle's Cake Shop, all the time. This world-renowned baker is as charming and kind as Uncle Simon is vile. But then Emma discovers a plot by Uncle Simon and one of his shady acquaintances; they've set their sights on ruining Mr. Crackle (and the entire dessert making industry for that matter). Can Emma stop their evil plan?First-time author Meika Hashimoto's effervescent tale, filled with funny characters and adventures, will have readers checking their cupboards for mouth-watering ingredients and secret portals.From the Hardcover edition.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
178 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you had a magic cake? How would you use its powers?
How do you think Emma felt when she discovered the Magic Cake Shop? Can you relate to her feelings?
What lessons did Emma learn throughout her adventures in the book?
How did the characters in the story show kindness or help each other?
If you could create a magical dessert, what special effects would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine their own magical shop and describe what it would sell. This helps connect their personal creativity to the story.
Discuss the emotions of different characters at various points in the book to enhance empathy and understanding.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next after key events, fostering their analytical thinking and anticipation skills.
Relate real-life scenarios where they can apply the lessons learned from Emma’s adventure, tying the story to everyday learning.
After reading, engaging in a fun activity like drawing a scene from the book or baking a simple cake can help deepen the connection with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of resourcefulness
Explanation: In 'The Magic Cake Shop,' the protagonist uses ingenuity to solve puzzles within the magical bakery.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think creatively and use the resources around them to solve problems, both in academic settings and in everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters who act with kindness are rewarded, teaching children the benefits of good behavior toward others.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to practice acts of kindness in their daily interactions with friends and family members, fostering positive relationships.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: Characters who exhibit greedy behaviors face challenges, demonstrating that selfishness can lead to adverse outcomes.
Real-World Application: By observing these consequences, children can learn to value sharing and generosity over selfish desires, promoting harmonious play and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Overcoming fears
Explanation: The protagonist faces and overcomes various fears in the magical environment of the cake shop.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to face their own fears and understand that overcoming personal barriers is part of growing up and achieving success.