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The Bake Shop Ghost
Cora Lee Merriweather baked the best pies and cakes for miles—fluffy meringue pies, flaky strudels, layer cakes, sheet cakes, and cakes with frosting finer than Irish lace. But now Cora Lee haunts the shop she used to own.
When new bakers arrive to take over her empty bake shop, Cora Lee scares them away, each and every one. Then Annie Washington comes to town . . .
Jacqueline K. Ogburn and Marjorie Priceman combine their talents to give us an enchanting baker’s battle in this story about how to unlock the secrets of the perfect recipe and a lonely heart.
When new bakers arrive to take over her empty bake shop, Cora Lee scares them away, each and every one. Then Annie Washington comes to town . . .
Jacqueline K. Ogburn and Marjorie Priceman combine their talents to give us an enchanting baker’s battle in this story about how to unlock the secrets of the perfect recipe and a lonely heart.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2005
2 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
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February 7, 2016Love the illustrations
October 16, 2009
I chose this book because one of my student's actually recommended it to me :)!
Summary-
The Bake Shop Ghost is a fabulous picture book for elementary students. Cora Lee Merriweather was a well-known baker in her town. When she died the whole town mourned her death because they were afraid they would never taste such delicious cakes and pastries ever again! After her death a variety of wonderful chefs and bakers tried to bring the old bakery back, but after just a day each baker left and sold the bakery because they were visited by a ghost...the ghost of Cora Lee. When she would visit, she would turn the kitchen upside down and cover the bakers with powdered sugar and egg. But one day, a hard-working and creative baker, Annie Washington came to the shop. She was determined to stand up to Cora Lee. Annie thought outside of the box and figured out different ways to work with Cora Lee, you'll have to read to see if her bakery ever became a success!
Summary-
The Bake Shop Ghost is a fabulous picture book for elementary students. Cora Lee Merriweather was a well-known baker in her town. When she died the whole town mourned her death because they were afraid they would never taste such delicious cakes and pastries ever again! After her death a variety of wonderful chefs and bakers tried to bring the old bakery back, but after just a day each baker left and sold the bakery because they were visited by a ghost...the ghost of Cora Lee. When she would visit, she would turn the kitchen upside down and cover the bakers with powdered sugar and egg. But one day, a hard-working and creative baker, Annie Washington came to the shop. She was determined to stand up to Cora Lee. Annie thought outside of the box and figured out different ways to work with Cora Lee, you'll have to read to see if her bakery ever became a success!
August 10, 2021
Oh my goodness how I wish I would have had this book available when my children were young and one of them in particular was afraid of ghosts. What a delightful story about what it means to be lonesome and how the right person can change that for a poor lost soul. One of those children's books that adults will appreciate!
February 1, 2017
This was incredibly cute, and I love that you even get a cake recipe at the end.
February 14, 2012
Cora Lee Merriweather runs the best bake shop in town, but no one notices her, just her delicious cakes. When she dies others try to buy the shop but she gets angry and scares them away. When Annie Washington buys the shop she confronts the ghost trying to figure out why she is haunting the place. Annie tries to bake a cake that will please Cora Lee but none of her recipes seem to be good enough for her. When Annie runs out of recipes she comes up with a surprising solution to the problem. See how Annie’s act of kindness transforms Cora Lee from a unhappy ghost with a “lemon-pucker” mouth to a ghost with a big smile. Sometimes it is the small things that make the biggest difference.
The book incorporates smells, sounds, and colorful descriptions. While reading the book aloud, I changed my voice with the different characters who bought Ms. Merriweather’s shop. Annie changes in the story as she learns to respect the ghost’s opinion. The two slowly become friends which allows Annie to figure out how to help the ghost.
The author, Jacqueline Ogburn, said she came up with the story after listening to Charlie Daniels song, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and that she used a common folktale motif of a ghost or spirit dueling with a mortal.
Marjorie Priceman’s illustrations in watercolor are detailed and reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmens pictures in his Madeline series. The setting is somewhere in Europe and the buildings reminded me of France. She captures the energy of the grumpy ghost driving people out of her shop.
Other books like this are: Fergus and the Night-Demon : an Irish Ghost Story, by Jim Murphy ; illustrated by John Manders and The Perfect Pumpkin Pie, by Denys Cazet.
The book incorporates smells, sounds, and colorful descriptions. While reading the book aloud, I changed my voice with the different characters who bought Ms. Merriweather’s shop. Annie changes in the story as she learns to respect the ghost’s opinion. The two slowly become friends which allows Annie to figure out how to help the ghost.
The author, Jacqueline Ogburn, said she came up with the story after listening to Charlie Daniels song, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and that she used a common folktale motif of a ghost or spirit dueling with a mortal.
Marjorie Priceman’s illustrations in watercolor are detailed and reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmens pictures in his Madeline series. The setting is somewhere in Europe and the buildings reminded me of France. She captures the energy of the grumpy ghost driving people out of her shop.
Other books like this are: Fergus and the Night-Demon : an Irish Ghost Story, by Jim Murphy ; illustrated by John Manders and The Perfect Pumpkin Pie, by Denys Cazet.
April 28, 2011
We have read this at least 6 times since bringing it home from the library on Tuesday. Ryan really likes it, though I think he's more interested in hearing all the different kinds of cakes and pastries than he is the story of how Annie finally bakes a cake that satisfies Cora Lee.
March 1, 2016
My eight year loves this book about Cora Lee Mayweather the baker. Last year she even wrote a comprehensive book report on this. We discussed the book and the cakes and spend endless amount of time going over which desserts are our favorites.
October 26, 2025
Baker extraordinaire Cora Lee Merriweather, with her lemon-pucker mouth and scraped-back bun, haunts her famous shop after she passes on in this humorous and ultimately heartwarming ghost story from author Jacqueline K. Ogburn and illustrator Marjorie Priceman. Driving away every subsequent proprietor, she eventually meets her match in Annie Washington, the new owner and no slouch as a baker herself. After their initial standoff, they reach a deal: if Annie can bake Cora Lee a cake like she herself baked, but which no one ever baked for her, one that will bring tears to the old ghost's eyes, then Cora Lee will desist. But is Annie up to the task...?
There's never much doubt as to the outcome, but watching Annie get there is half the fun in The Bake Shop Ghost, which has plenty of appeal both as a ghost story—Cora Lee can really get up to some mischief!—and as a story of friendship, and healing the wounds of the past. I suspected what the cake in question would be, and was not wrong. A lighthearted and entertaining read, pairing an engaging story with expressive illustrations that match the madcap antics being described, this would make an excellent book for the Halloween season, but also for all year. Recommended to children who enjoy ghost stories that are a little bit scary and a little bit sweet.
There's never much doubt as to the outcome, but watching Annie get there is half the fun in The Bake Shop Ghost, which has plenty of appeal both as a ghost story—Cora Lee can really get up to some mischief!—and as a story of friendship, and healing the wounds of the past. I suspected what the cake in question would be, and was not wrong. A lighthearted and entertaining read, pairing an engaging story with expressive illustrations that match the madcap antics being described, this would make an excellent book for the Halloween season, but also for all year. Recommended to children who enjoy ghost stories that are a little bit scary and a little bit sweet.
May 19, 2021
The plot: Cora Lee, an elderly baker, dies and haunts the people who try to taker her place in her beloved bakery. Not until a tenacious woman, Annie Washington, settles in and challenges Cora Lee does the ghost meet her match. Cora Lee challenges Annie to make her a cake like no one ever made for Cora Lee, and by the time Annie finally satisfies Cora (with a birthday cake for what would have been Cora Lee's 100th bday), the two have combined their talents and can live (and haunt, and bake) together in harmony.
The illustrations: scrawly and sketchy, imbuing a bit of a hectic feel to the story
The theme: Baking, compassion, friendship, ghosts
The illustrations: scrawly and sketchy, imbuing a bit of a hectic feel to the story
The theme: Baking, compassion, friendship, ghosts
August 27, 2022
Have you ever found yourself craving a story? Not a message or "lesson," just a beautifully crafted, well-written story. If you have, this is the book for you. This book is one that your children will randomly call you about when they are grown and ask, "what was that ghost baking book we read when I was little called?" It's just a fun quality story that is just obscure enough that it will sit in your memory forever.
May 18, 2021
Sweet story (pun intended) about a woman who owned a bakery and baked delicious sweets for the entire town. She unfortunately dies and subsequently haunts her bakery chasing all those who purchased her shop except for Annie.. what happens I cannot say as it would ruin the story. But dear reader, read the book it has celestial tasty ending.
October 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this story! It was an actual picture book story that was semi-creepy with a bake shop lady ghost yet it had a very sweet ending. It teaches kids about persistence, bravery and kindness. I love how it included a recipe for a "Ghost-Pleasing Chocolate Cake" as well. Fun read for Halloween!
June 25, 2024
I don't like ghosts, but other than that, I enjoyed this story. A baker is an old grouchy lady, and then she dies. Her bake shop passes from owner to owner because Cora Lee haunts them. Interesting story. I liked the artwork, it reminded me of Ludwig Bemelmans and also whoever illustrated the 100 dresses book.
January 26, 2017
A ghost story in which a young baker tries to find a cake that will satisfy the ghost of the woman who used to own the pastry shop. There is a delicious looking recipe for chocolate cake in the back of the book.
December 30, 2018
A cute story, with two spirited protagonists, which add a bonus as both are women and one is not white. The pictures are interesting but bright and engaging. I enjoyed this one more as it went along than I thought I would at the start.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
June 21, 2019
despite the fact that this was given to me by [redacted] it was a great book i liked the food and i liked the women and most of all i liked the idea that everything becomes better when you care and treat people nicer than they maybe deserve
January 1, 2020
I read this for the "A Book With Recipes Inside" part of my 2020 reading challenge. I wasn't a fan of the art style, but the story was good and I'm really looking forward to trying the Ghost-Pleasing Chocolate Cake Recipe in the back!
December 28, 2023
A long time and well loved baker dies, but isn’t happy with anyone who takes her place. She haunts them all out until one very special baker discovers the secret to finally make her spirit happy. What is it? Something made especially just for her.
November 7, 2024
A theme akin to my favorite, Another Point of View. That is, nobody ever checked with the ghost what her point of view was. But the illustrations are not to my taste at all so I cannot give it a personal rating higher than 3, sorry. Oh, and it's not for tots, much too long.
October 20, 2017
My review is incomplete until I have made and tasted the Ghost-Pleasing Chocolate Cake recipe at the end of the story. I predict I will be quite satisfied.
June 6, 2018
Delightful story!
Heard it on NPR as a read-aloud, delighful.
Heard it on NPR as a read-aloud, delighful.
November 28, 2018
Cute story! I liked it a lot.
December 31, 2019
Longer kids book but amazing story. My son and I loved it and a recipe at the end makes it a great book to table event.
October 28, 2020
by far one of the best books ever written.
December 31, 2020
Quick and cute read
August 2, 2021
This one made me want to go back and watch The Great British Baking Show again.
A ghost haunts her old bakery. Eventually the bakery is bought by a baker who is every bit as stubborn as the ghost...
A ghost haunts her old bakery. Eventually the bakery is bought by a baker who is every bit as stubborn as the ghost...
October 12, 2021
A bit long for a read-aloud (unless you're really patient or read it in sections), but perfect for an independent reader who likes a good ghost story. I think readers will enjoy the sweet ending.
December 30, 2021
I loved this premise and found the illustrations engaging though I did find myself skipping through the very long text.
January 16, 2022
Way more text than would ever be published today, but the story is great. The art is wonderful, the characters are delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews