Sometimes Cake

Pale-skinned Audrey has doll-like rosy cheeks and yellow hair, and she's not startled when she meets a golden lion standing on its hind legs holding a purple balloon. "Is it your birthday?" she asks politely. "Sometimes," Lion replies, "but not today." It's surely someone's birthday, they agree, "so they sang a little song and gave three cheers." Next time they meet, they share a cake to celebrate coconuts, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and the next time, have a party to salute "Orange mostly... Also yellow." When Lion has a low moment, Audrey notices and invents a special celebration just for him. Pencil-and-watercolor spreads by Ainslie are light and soft and elegantly composed. Australia-based creators Wyatt and Ainslie pack in all the things that make parties special: a cake with cherries on top, party crowns, balloons, and confetti. Much is worth feting in this sprightly tale, and the atmosphere of gentle anarchy has only one rule: friends ought to notice when friends aren't feeling their best, and try to give them what will make them happy. Ages 2-5. (Jan.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-K--Tiny Audrey and large Lion share a comfortable, go-with-the-flow, give-and-take kind of best friendship. "'What are you celebrating, ' asked Audrey. 'Orange mostly, ' said Lion. 'Also yellow.' Audrey liked orange. She suggested purple, too." These two find amicable ways to celebrate birthdays, days of the week, and colors. When an ordinary day has Lion looking despondent, Audrey proves that even ordinary days can be honored. Endearing illustrations made with wispy pencil lines and delicate washes of watercolor on a white background are scattered with dainty details and are well-suited to the whimsy of the text. VERDICT The story line is as airy as the pictures, but in tandem they quietly conjure the world of a sweet friendship.--Jan Aldrich Solow, formerly Fairfax County Public Sch., VA

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Suitable for an adult reader and child viewer to pick up right before bedtime, with its gently whimsical premise furthered by Ainslie's dreamy, soft watercolors and scratchy pencil lines. The underlying message about celebrating and appreciating the ordinary is just the right level of sweetness, the icing on the proverbial cake.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Wyatt's text shows an appreciation of both the drollness and profundity of children's thinking, and the story's message about appreciating the little, everyday things is welcome and timely. . . . Ainslie's illustrations, rendered in pencil and gentle watercolors, are airy and sweet. . . A charmer that reminds readers to cultivate simple pleasures, recognize life's commonplace gifts, and enjoy a little cake.
—Kirkus Reviews

Right from the title, Sometimes Cake is yummy and appealing; who wouldn't want a story about cake? But cake is just one part of this charming picture book. . . . Edwina Wyatt and Tamsin Ainslie offer a sweet story about friendship, celebration and what it looks like to show up for the people—or lions—in your life. . . . Calm, kind and earnest, Sometimes Cake is an easy book to like. . . . a lovely introduction to the concept of empathy, especially for the littlest readers, and may inspire a few "regular day" celebrations.
—BookPage