Sometimes Cake - by Edwina Wyatt (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Sometimes it's your birthday--and sometimes it isn't. But even if it's not your birthday, it's still important to celebrate everyday things like Tuesdays, coconuts, and orange, and also yellow and lions. And monkeys. And purple. Friends Audrey and Lion find pleasure and solace in marking small moments together, with the help of balloons and confetti and drums and games and hats. For anyone who has ever wished for a birthday party every day of the year, this is a story about finding your own reasons to have cake--and to enjoy spending time with good friends"--

Book Synopsis

Have you ever wanted to celebrate an unbirthday? Or just an ordinary day? A charming story of friendship--and appreciating the small stuff.

Sometimes it's your birthday. And sometimes it isn't. But even if it's not your birthday, it's still important to celebrate everyday things like Tuesdays, coconuts, and orange, and also yellow and lions. And monkeys. And purple. Friends Audrey and Lion find pleasure and solace in marking small moments together, with the help of balloons and confetti and drums and games and hats. For anyone who has ever wished for a birthday party every day of the year, this is a story about finding your own reasons to have cake--and to enjoy spending time with good friends.

Review Quotes

Wyatt and Ainslie pack in all the things that make parties special. . . 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.
--Publishers Weekly

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.
--School Library Journal

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

About the Author

Edwina Wyatt worked as a lawyer and as a high-school teacher before becoming a writer of children's books. Her books have earned numerous awards, including two Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Books. Sometimes Cake is her first book with Candlewick Press. She lives with her family in Victoria, Australia.

Tamsin Ainslie was born and educated in the UK before she eventually settled in Australia. The illustrator of more than forty-five books for children, she also creates stationery, greeting cards, and children's games and toys. Sometimes Cake is her first book with Candlewick Press. She lives with her two daughters in New South Wales, Australia.