MONSTER BAKER

The famous chef Pierre du Monstère and Grandmonster say, “A baker always rises to the occasion,” but will granddaughter Tillie?

Grandmonster makes the best desserts, like Key Slime Pie, Screech Cobbler, and Double-Sludge Brownies, and is teaching Tillie to bake. So when Dad announces that tomorrow is Grandmonster’s 247th birthday, Tillie decides to bake a Squirmin’ Chocolate Cake. “Two cups of frankenflour, one stick of booter, thirteen squirmy worms, a teaspoon of shaking powder.” The result is “magnifique!”—until Uncle Harry, unaware that the cake is for Grandmonster’s birthday, gobbles it up. In a hurry to whip up a second cake, Tillie makes a mess and plenty of mistakes. Her next cake squirms out of the kitchen, “through Slimes Square, past the Museum of Monster Art, and all the way to the edge of Tentacle Park.” Tillie is discouraged, but Dad offers some reassuring words. Tillie finds a way to save the day, incorporating her past culinary mistakes with some kitchen leftovers. The results may not be perfect, but, as Tillie and readers realize, that’s more than OK. Creative food names contain plenty of giggle-inducing puns, and the bright illustrations add to the fun. With her oversized head and tiny limbs and tail, Tillie is more endearing than grotesque, and the concoctions are disgustingly hilarious. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A little patience and plenty of creativity result in a recipe for a yummy success!