The Memory Cake

by Caroline L. Perry, Jennifer Bricking (illustrator)

While baking a special cake with her granddaughter, a Maltese grandmother revisits her memories of survival, hope, and life under siege during World War II.

Every year, a young girl visits her Nanna on the tiny Mediterranean isle of Malta, and together they bake a cake. As they mix, stir and ice their chocolate confection, Nanna explains why the cake is so special: when she was a girl, she made it to celebrate the end of a WWII bombing campaign against her small country.

As they talk, Nanna looks back on the layers of her life: the underground shelters, the bombs, the hunger—and the hope that helped her through her hardest times. Her granddaughter learns about Malta’s enduring traditions, her family history—and her grandmother’s recipe for happiness.

Sharing the little-known history of the ‘Siege of Malta,’ this gentle picture book celebrates all who dream of peaceful futures during times of war and uncertainty, and encourages readers to share family stories and memories—even the difficult ones.

A note in the back shares the author’s inspiration from her visits to her own Maltese Nanna and the real history of the of ‘Siege of Malta’, along with a recipe for Nanna’s memory cake.

Genres: Picture Books, War, History, Food, Family, Cooking

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book hit me hard given the current state of things. What an absolutely wonderful way to capture history and remind us of stories of the fighters, survivors, and resisters who have come before us. The art and story are both quite gorgeous, and the robust back matter is simply wonderful.

[Kelly Crull · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a meaningful moment in the kitchen baking a cake with Nanna (Grandma). The cake is special because Nanna was not allowed to eat cake during wartime in Malta. My favorite part was when the granddaughter asks Nanna how she learned to be happy again after the war, and Nanna replies, “A good life has layers, just like a good cake.” So powerful!

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful and important story! This book is full of hope, love and family. I was captivated by the first page, the tender and special relationship between granddaughter and grandmother shined so much. I especially enjoyed all the backmatter as well and the recipe! Great for all bookshelves!

[Deirdre Laide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is heartwarming, informative, and touching. The historical relevance of this story is poignant yet told in a beautiful, child-friendly way. The whole book, from its beautiful text to stunning illustrations, is amazing 👏. I love this story.

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traditions strengthen family relationships and are often how stories get passed through generations. Listen and learn as this Nanna from Malta teaches her visiting grandchild not only how to bake a cake, but also about the rich, and little known, history of Malta during World War 2. The author cleverly uses the cake as the gateway for exploring the impacts of war and makes this serious topic accessible for young readers, while the loving relationship of grandma and granddaughter shines through. The cake recipe provided at the back also helps end the bittersweet tale on an overall hopeful and sweet note.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though not non-fiction, this story of war, family, and remembrance is based on the author's grandmother's experience in wartime Malta and the experiences of others. I did not know this history but the question the child narrator asks - how can you find happiness again after war and hardship - is so simply and beautifully described by her grandmother comparing the layers of life to the layers of the cake they have just made together. Lovely illustrations by Jennifer Bricking. back matter has an author's statement and the recipe for the titular cake.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book that shares the history of Malta during World War II. Readers meet a young girl and her grandmother as they get ready to celebrate the feast of Santa Marija. This commemorates the end of the siege. Her grandmother shares her memories and takes the child through what life was like then. Together, they make the memory cake and savor their time together. Don't miss the informative text included at the end.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is probably the case for many readers, even adults, I knew next to nothing about the WWII siege on Malta, making this picture book [3.5 for me!] eye-opening for me. When a young girl visits her grandmother on the island, they bake a special chocolate cake for a special occasion--the feast of Saint Marija when supply ships carrying much-needed food reached Malta. While they prepare the cake, the elderly woman shares her personal part of history, explaining why the island was besieged. Not only were its citizens starving, but she and others spent much of their time in shelters they dug out themselves, hiding from the bombs being dropped from the sky. So much was lost, but Nanna reminds her granddaughter that life and cake have something in common since there are layers to both. This story uses sensory language as well as relatable anecdotes to tell Nanna's story, and the digital artwork is so yummy that readers can almost smell and taste that chocolate cake, filled with memories for Nanna--and now for her grandchild as well. Be sure to read the Author's Note and check out the recipe for this cake and its icing in the back matter. With its different slant, this picture book fits well in a collection of books about families or one on traditions, historical events, or war.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous, immersive, and deceptively simple story will win your heart and open the door to conversations about your own family histories. Beyond the loving and lyrical story of a young girl visiting her beloved Maltese grandmother and baking a chocolate cake, the story delves into all the layers—bitter and sweet—of her grandmother’s childhood. In this case the specific hardships of surviving World War Two as a small child, living in fear and deprivation in underground bunkers while the tiny island of Malta endured relentless bombing. The author brilliantly keeps this story at a child’s level, effortlessly moving back and forth in time, while conveying a profound message about the power of hope and the need to appreciate the sweetness we do find in our lives. Timeless and wonderful!

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child and her Nanna bake a cake for the feast of Santa Marija, Nanna shares stories of her childhood in war-torn Malta. She tells of playing in underground shelters, standing hours in line for scraps of bread, ruined schools and homes, but her stories also contain messages of hope and resilience. Comfort is offered to the reader in the sweet relationship between the child and her Nanna and the sweet treat they create together. The text is beautifully written, lyrical and child-friendly, and the illustrations are so lovely and immersive. My favorite illustrations show first Nanna then the child's grinning reflections in the glossy chocolate icing - so much love and resilience! Kids will be fascinated by this book - highly recommend!

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, inviting, and profoundly moving, "Nanna's Memory Cake" by Caroline Perry, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking, is a beautiful picture book that blends family tradition with little-known history. As a young girl bakes a special chocolate cake with her Maltese grandmother, she learns about Nanna's childhood during the WWII Siege of Malta--stories of hardship, hope, and resilience.
Perry's lyrical text and Bricking's stunning, heartfelt illustrations work in perfect harmony to honor memory, culture, and connection across generations. A touching note and recipe at the end invite readers to continue the tradition. This gentle, powerful book encourages empathy, conversation, and a deeper understanding of the past--perfect for every bookshelf: library, school, or home.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline crafts a powerful yet gently endearing story of resilience that will appeal to readers of all ages. The book opens in present-day Malta, where a child and her Nana bake together, before transporting readers back to the treacherous days of WWII, when the small island endured relentless hardships and destruction. Like the layered cake at the heart of the story, the narrative is rich with themes of hope amid devastation, the sacrifices of food shortages, and the triumph of families emerging from underground bunkers to celebrate survival. Though these events took place long ago, the story’s message of determination, hope, and enduring family bonds will resonate with today’s young readers. Written in language almost as delicious as the recipe shared at the end — this is a must-read!

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl visits her Nanna on the Mediterranean isle of Malta. As they bake a cake together, Nanna shares her memories of the bombings and difficult times she endured while trying to survive the 'siege of Malta' during WWII. Ths story provides a difficult, but important look at Malta during a time of despair as well as the present-day celebration of their perseverance and survival. Back matter offers more in-depth information about Malta's history, a glossary, and an adapted recipe for "memory cake." Highly recommended! It’s rare for a children's book to leave such a lasting impression on me, but this one certainly does.

[Christine Alemshah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, welcoming, inviting. Those are the first three words that come to mind when I read this book. From the gorgeous art to the emotionally resonant story filled with lovely lyrical language. There is such an important bit of history touched upon in this story as we see through the lens of Nanna's experiences what happened to Malta during WWII. It encourages young readers to respond with empathy and kindness which will hopefully lead to a greater understanding to the experiences of others through the shared knowledge of the memory cake. I love the addition of the recipe at the end of the book and I think that will be appealing to young readers as well!

[Kerry Aradhya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through a loving relationship between Nanna and her young granddaughter, this beautifully illustrated book introduces kids to a very difficult but little-known piece of European history. More importantly, it shows very eloquently how heartbreaking memories can transform over generations into traditions of hope and healing, and the heartfelt author's note at the end adds a special touch. I learned a lot about the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta (the most bombed place during WWII) and the resilience of its people from this book, which is also very relevant given current events around the world. Highly recommend!

[Meneka Repka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart. Caroline L. Perry’s words transport the reader not only to Malta, but to a time of great hope and perseverance despite the horrors of war. The cake is symbolic of so much- a grandmother’s capacity for overcoming, the bond between Nanna and her grandchild, and the use of food for resistance and peace. Jennifer Bricking’s gorgeous illustrations are warm, nostalgic, and comforting; the depictions of war are haunting without being overly scary. One of my favourite reads this year.

[Sabrina Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a poignant and beautiful story - Even though it about a time gone by, it still resonates with the awful world we still live in today.
This tale is heartwarming and full of love and hope. The baking of this special cake brings an unbreakable bond between grandmother and grand-daughter, as well as the reader learning about the anguish of the Maltese people. Such bravery under adversity.
Educational, with "many layers' and back matter - absolutely stunning soft illustrations to go with it.

Perfect for any library and reading shelf.

[Jessica Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this beautiful story and learned an important bit of history! This story is about the brave people of Malta during WWII. Many people were killed and many were on the verge of starvation when a British ship arrived with food. Every year, they people of Malta celebrate the day that ship arrived. The girl in the story is making a cake for the celebration with her Nanna in Malta. She learns all about the history of the island during WWII from her Nanna. There is excellent backmatter after the story, including a recipe for the cake. A great story to share!

[Suhasini Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Cake by Caroline Perry and illustrated by Jennifer Bricking is a poignant non-fiction story set during WWII that explores both the impact of the war and the strength of family. Nana from Malta shares her memories, revealing how her family survived the hardships of war and celebrated the arrival of the Santa Marija ships. My favorite line is, "A good life has layers, just like a good cake." The beautiful illustrations, lyrical language, and informative backmatter will leave readers both awe-struck and deeply moved.

[Suzy Levinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so "layers" to this gripping, heartwarming tale! As a child bakes memory cake with her grandmother in Malta, she learns about the feast of Santa Marija and all that the brave Maltese people endured during World War Two. A beautifully told story by Caroline L. Perry, with lovely art by Jennifer Bricking. Great back matter too, including a glossary and even a recipe for Nanna's Memory Cake (which sounds delicious)!

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a touching and meaningful story. As a grandmother and granddaughter bake together, tales of resilience from World War II Malta unfold. Kids are gently introduced to past hardships, while the present-day story emphasizes hope and tradition. The warm illustrations beautifully complement the heartfelt storytelling. Highly recommended. A wonderful read and great prompt for families to share and discuss their own histories.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A fascinating story about the siege on Malta and the Maltese people during WWII. Themes of war, conflict and loss are balanced perfectly with the love, hope, and resilience we learn about and feel from Nanna as she and the main character build Nanna's special cake for the feast of Santa Marija. Both young and older readers will learn so much from this story. With expanded back matter containing recipes and an extensive author's note, this story is a must-have for school libraries as well!

[Amanda Calatzis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A girl bakes a special cake on a trip to Malta to visit her grandmother. Her grandmother tells her, during baking, the story of living through World War II as a child, when Malta was attacked relentlessly by Axis powers. The cake is a symbol of victory, after years of famine when no one in Malta was allowed to bake cakes. Warmth and emotion abound in this beautiful book for your little history buff.

[A.J. Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this powerful picture book, a young girl visits her Nana in Malta. Together, they bake a special cake as Nana shares memories of surviving the Siege of Malta during WW II. Caroline L. Perry’s gentle text and Jennifer Bricking’s loving illustrations masterfully weave the past and present in this story about hope, resilience, and love. “A good life has layers, just like a good cake.” Readers will certainly appreciate the rich layers in THE MEMORY CAKE. Such a beautiful and memorable book!

[Dara Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Cake is a heartfelt picture book about a young girl and her Nanna as the prepare a special cake for the the Feast of Marija. As the flour is sifted and the ingredients are stirred, the reader gets transported back in time to learn about a time when Malta was under siege during World War 2. The book is full of rich language and warm illustrations. The back matter adds historical context-- this is such a lovely book full of history and culture.

[Lisa Tolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt story of a girl baking with her Nanna is a gentle introduction to a lesser known chapter in history. A young girl visits Nanna in Malta and helps her make a special cake as Nanna tells the story of the Siege of Malta that she lived through as a child. It's a fascinating read for lovers of history, grandmas, and cake (so, everyone) and a beautiful reminder that love and family prevail through difficult times.

[Anna Ouchchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this powerful picture book, a Maltese grandmother shares the story of her wartime experiences with her granddaughter while the two of them bake a cake. The story centers around the feast of Santa Marija and the terrible bombing of Malta during World War II. Backmatter expands on the history. Highly recommended!

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Maltese grandmother’s shares her childhood memories of war with her granddaughter as they bake a memory cake to honor the festival of Santa Marija. THE MEMORY CAKE is a testament to the power of memory and of healing. Lovely illustrations by Bricking capture the beauty of Malta. Great back matter that includes a recipe for the memory cake add depth to the story.

[Ana Siqueira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a cake, this book is filled with layers. Layers of sad memories during WWII in Malta. Layers of resilience. Layers of miracles. Layers of Happy memories. Layers of chocolate cake (recipe included). And layers of love between this girl and her grandma. The illustrations by Jennifer Bricking are gorgeous 😍. Go try it now.

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving story that shares some of the history of WWII in Malta through conversation between a child and her grandmother as they bake a cake. The book is lyrically written, and illustrated with warm colors that contrast against the grey tones of the war. THE MEMORY CAKE is a story of family, resilience, strength, and hope.