Title: Rude Cakes
Author: Rowboat Watkins
Illustrator: Rowboat Watkins
Summary from the
Publisher
In this deliciously entertaining book, a not-so-sweet
cake—who never says please or thank you or listens to its parents—gets its just
desserts.
Evaluation
The story begins with rude cakes interacting with other
characters in a selfish way. Not only
does he neglect to say please, but also he chases a little marshmallow and
demands he give up his balloon. Then at
his birthday party, he complains about his gift. At the park, he ignores his parents and takes
things that do not belong to him. He
pushes his way to the front of the line.
Rude cakes never admits he is wrong.
I think this characters does just about everything he can to alienate
the other characters. The author does an excellent job in the text and
subtext/illustrations to capture the spirit of an unruly child. Using the
illustrations, parents can discuss how the other characters feel when rude
cakes is being unkind.
The story does not stop there though. A giant Cyclops takes rude cakes from his
room. (Mind you, this “monster” is not
at all scary. He is kind of adorable.)
The irony is while the Cyclops is using rude cakes as a hat and passing him around to the other Cyclops, they are all using their
manners. They compliment one
another. They share. They wait their turn. When rude cakes asks to PLEASE put him back,
they “always listen when their hats says please, nicely…and they always
apologize when they’re wrong.”
Rude cakes is returned to his room. The next day, he is a changed cake. He is seen sharing and positively interacting
with the characters he had wronged the day before. I love the final sentence, “Of course, no
cake is ever too rude to change.”
The illustrations are fantastic. They are animated and dramatic and
humorous. All of which will appeal to
the target age. The idea of giant Cyclops
may sound scary, but it is not in the slightest. Actually, rude cakes takes a Cyclops stuffed
doll from another character, making it more palatable in the narrative. Rude cakes is never scared of the giant
Cyclops, just annoyed he is being used as a hat. The author’s fresh take on the
sweet cake being awful and the stereotypical monster being sweet is also ideal
for discussing not judging people on their outward appearance.
Rude Cakes is a
fun read with excellent educational value as well. Just about every child needs a reminder to
use his manners. This story is a
delightful way to teach or to reteach essential interpersonal skills to
youngsters. I highly recommend this book
for ages 2-7.
Ideas and Activities for Teaching Manners
Ideas and Activities for Teaching Manners
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