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Cookie
Cookie is plain and shy, not the confident, popular girl her father wanted when he named her Beauty Cookson. Her mother helps her cook up a clever scheme to change her image--but, as usual, Dad doesn't approve, and this time his anger reaches frightening new heights. Will Cookie find the strength to stand up for herself? Honest and emotionally resonant, COOKIE faces tough issues with the unflinching directness and unflagging tenderness that make Jacqueline Wilson one of today's most admired-and popular-authors for young people.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
172 people are currently reading
2308 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
391 books5,722 followersJacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews
September 21, 2017
This has to be my favourite JW of all time. It's so utterly tragic in the beginning, but Beauty's story still managed to be relatable because everyone's felt belittled even if it's just to a small degree. Of course, Dilly is my favourite mum character too. I feel like so often in JW the mum is the problem parents so to see a mother so dedicated to her daughter's happiness made me tear up so many times.
I might just have to re-read this annually.
I might just have to re-read this annually.
September 1, 2019
This is one of my favourite Jacqueline Wilson books, and I think Beauty is one of my favourite of her characters too - I find her very relatable, especially her vivid imagination, her awkwardness, and her love of Sara Crewe from 'A Little Princess'.
An interesting point that I particularly noted on this reading, is that when Beauty's mother tells someone about the situation at home, saying he slapped her and twisted her wrist, and perhaps she and Beauty could get a council flat or stay in a refuge, the response is: 'Oh get a grip, Dilys! Most of those poor women in those places have been beaten to a pulp. They'd give their right arms to swap places with you...'
Then a few lines later, ' You think twice, Dilys. It's a lonely life without a man.'
Of course I bristled when I read that, but I love that she included this. There are many people who will tell you to put up with this 'mild' abuse, stay in the nice house, remember others have it worse etc. And of course others are going through worse, but that does not justify things. Beauty's father's continually escalating temper, and the danger it places them in, is instantly undermined, and you see all to clearly how difficult an attempt to break away can be, especially if you're being made to feel at fault.
For all the walking on eggshells, and the unpleasant bullying that Beauty suffers, both at school, and at home, I find this book utterly charming, and ultimately uplifting. I've always clicked with Jacqueline Wilson as an author and have genuinely loved all her books, but this is one of the ones I love the most!💖🐇🎨
Oh, and as ever, the illustrations by Nick Sharratt are wonderful. They are such a great pairing, up there with Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake!📚
An interesting point that I particularly noted on this reading, is that when Beauty's mother tells someone about the situation at home, saying he slapped her and twisted her wrist, and perhaps she and Beauty could get a council flat or stay in a refuge, the response is: 'Oh get a grip, Dilys! Most of those poor women in those places have been beaten to a pulp. They'd give their right arms to swap places with you...'
Then a few lines later, ' You think twice, Dilys. It's a lonely life without a man.'
Of course I bristled when I read that, but I love that she included this. There are many people who will tell you to put up with this 'mild' abuse, stay in the nice house, remember others have it worse etc. And of course others are going through worse, but that does not justify things. Beauty's father's continually escalating temper, and the danger it places them in, is instantly undermined, and you see all to clearly how difficult an attempt to break away can be, especially if you're being made to feel at fault.
For all the walking on eggshells, and the unpleasant bullying that Beauty suffers, both at school, and at home, I find this book utterly charming, and ultimately uplifting. I've always clicked with Jacqueline Wilson as an author and have genuinely loved all her books, but this is one of the ones I love the most!💖🐇🎨
Oh, and as ever, the illustrations by Nick Sharratt are wonderful. They are such a great pairing, up there with Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake!📚
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September 24, 2017One of the most tragic and touching of JW's books, I had so many emotions while reading this. Usually, I don't think mothers are portrayed very sympathetically in her books. They're always the ones to nag and ruin the fun. Dilly is the kindest mum on the planet, and how much she cares for Beauty gets me every time. Domestic abuse is hard to read about, but it's so worth it by the end and it's definitely one of the happiest ever afters JW's written!
November 12, 2008
This is a fantastic book!!
It is Dame Jacqueline Wilson's new book. (Jacqie has been made a dame)! She totally deserves it.
Anyway this is about a girl called Beauty who's bullied at school for the way she looks, her personality and the way she dresses. The main bully is Skie. Luckily Skie's best friend Rhona loves Beauty and wants to be her BFF.
At home Beauty's life is as far from normal. Her mum loves her to bits and has never got cross with her but with her dad it's another story. Beauty and her mum live in fear of what's going to happen and if he gets cross you want to be as far away as possible.
It comes to a blow on Beauty's birthday. Her dad has booked her a caterer, a limo and theatre tickets. When Rhona buys her a rabbit and her dad kills it it's the final straw.
Beauty and her mum move away to the seaside. Her mum has never been good at anything but when her cookies start selling things look up.
When Beauty ends up on her favourite television show things couldn't have been better. But what will her dad make of it all?
I loved this book and I would reccomend it to anyone!
Definately 5*!!
It is Dame Jacqueline Wilson's new book. (Jacqie has been made a dame)! She totally deserves it.
Anyway this is about a girl called Beauty who's bullied at school for the way she looks, her personality and the way she dresses. The main bully is Skie. Luckily Skie's best friend Rhona loves Beauty and wants to be her BFF.
At home Beauty's life is as far from normal. Her mum loves her to bits and has never got cross with her but with her dad it's another story. Beauty and her mum live in fear of what's going to happen and if he gets cross you want to be as far away as possible.
It comes to a blow on Beauty's birthday. Her dad has booked her a caterer, a limo and theatre tickets. When Rhona buys her a rabbit and her dad kills it it's the final straw.
Beauty and her mum move away to the seaside. Her mum has never been good at anything but when her cookies start selling things look up.
When Beauty ends up on her favourite television show things couldn't have been better. But what will her dad make of it all?
I loved this book and I would reccomend it to anyone!
Definately 5*!!
March 10, 2013
I have never read any Jacqueline Wilson books before, I knew (I thought I knew) what kind of books she writes, you know, Tracy Beaker is on all the time on CBBC etc. I didn't think badly of her books, but I wasn't really interested in them, I thought I'd read it all before.
When I noticed this book in the library, it was the title that caught me - Cookie. I love to eat sweet things! And when I read the description, well, it kind of resonated with me, my mother was a total control freak, and Beauty felt like, well, me. Although I wasn't bullied in school. And my dad didn't rake it in, quite the opposite. (And I never had a page cut, I loved my long hair!)
Anyway. I couldn't put it down! I read as I was cooking, and my daughter ended up going to bed an hour late because I just had to finish the book! What a great story - I mean, I knew it all already - the horrible bullying schoolmates, not a happy home, but then escape and new friends and everything ends well. And yet... and yet... it's the characters that make the story, isn't it? Beauty with her gentle nature, and her mother - essentially that stupid "babe" that people laugh at usually - but a wonderful warm mother, her father, another deliciously evil villain character complicated by the fact that he is her father, and he does love her, albeit in his twisted way. And the others - snotty rich kids, Mike the painter and the kids in the new school. And Sam and Lily.
It is a bit simple, and fairytale-ish, but we all love a happy ending, isn't it?
I will most likely read a few more Wilson books.
When I noticed this book in the library, it was the title that caught me - Cookie. I love to eat sweet things! And when I read the description, well, it kind of resonated with me, my mother was a total control freak, and Beauty felt like, well, me. Although I wasn't bullied in school. And my dad didn't rake it in, quite the opposite. (And I never had a page cut, I loved my long hair!)
Anyway. I couldn't put it down! I read as I was cooking, and my daughter ended up going to bed an hour late because I just had to finish the book! What a great story - I mean, I knew it all already - the horrible bullying schoolmates, not a happy home, but then escape and new friends and everything ends well. And yet... and yet... it's the characters that make the story, isn't it? Beauty with her gentle nature, and her mother - essentially that stupid "babe" that people laugh at usually - but a wonderful warm mother, her father, another deliciously evil villain character complicated by the fact that he is her father, and he does love her, albeit in his twisted way. And the others - snotty rich kids, Mike the painter and the kids in the new school. And Sam and Lily.
It is a bit simple, and fairytale-ish, but we all love a happy ending, isn't it?
I will most likely read a few more Wilson books.
July 9, 2021
It has to be the best Jacqueline Wilson book ever. I have read this book so many times and still love it all the same! I have given it a five star review because it is so detailed in what beauty ( the girl in the book ) is feeling and what's happening in her life. I love how she finally gets to live happily with her mum and meets her favourite people in the world! I'm so happy for beauty in the end but I really want a book two as it leaves you on a cliff hanger. This really is a lovely book and a truly advise you to buy it as if you are a Jacqueline Wilson fan you will love it too!
July 24, 2016
This is the third Jacqueline Wilson book I’ve read aloud to my daughter. Though I enjoyed the other two more (The Butterfly Club and Little Stars), this one had the same superb writing. Something about Wilson’s style makes reading aloud her prose very easy. I guess it’s voice. Her smooth sentences create clear images that convey simply her characters’ view. Those views are often poignant and fun.
Cookie’s real name is Beauty. Her Dad is successful, but he’s quite a jerk. It is painful to witness, but not dark. Her mother, Dilly, is a young trophy wife, Dad’s third marriage. People often think Dilly and Beauty are sisters. All that, the first half of the book, culminates in a striking, 5-star chapter that takes place on Beauty’s birthday. The second half of the book changes tone - you’ll be happy for Beauty and her mother. In fact, Dilly grows as a person during the course of the story, which was an interesting bonus. Their mother/daughter relationship is fascinating, actually, because Beauty is brainier than her mother.
One last thing. Don’t assume Beauty is a beauty. She’s not. She deals with that here and there.
My daughter and I are going to take a break from Jacqueline Wilson, but not for long. I insisted we read something else next. After that, we’ll read Wilson’s Hetty Feather, because my daughter insists. That’s a recommendation right there.
Cookie’s real name is Beauty. Her Dad is successful, but he’s quite a jerk. It is painful to witness, but not dark. Her mother, Dilly, is a young trophy wife, Dad’s third marriage. People often think Dilly and Beauty are sisters. All that, the first half of the book, culminates in a striking, 5-star chapter that takes place on Beauty’s birthday. The second half of the book changes tone - you’ll be happy for Beauty and her mother. In fact, Dilly grows as a person during the course of the story, which was an interesting bonus. Their mother/daughter relationship is fascinating, actually, because Beauty is brainier than her mother.
One last thing. Don’t assume Beauty is a beauty. She’s not. She deals with that here and there.
My daughter and I are going to take a break from Jacqueline Wilson, but not for long. I insisted we read something else next. After that, we’ll read Wilson’s Hetty Feather, because my daughter insists. That’s a recommendation right there.
November 24, 2009
Beauty is a smart young girl who is not beautiful. She is very self-conscience about her looks and is teased at school for her name and has several nicknames, but the most cruel one is "Ugly." At school she must deal with these bullies, and a girl who wants to be her BFF but is afraid to. At home Beauty has additional problems. Her mother is gorgeous and supportive of Beauty but the father is extremely verbally abusive, and often physically abusive as well. The book talks about Beauty's ways of coping with her pressures, her dad's plans of an embarrassing birthday celebration, and her mom's idea of changing Beauty's nickname from "Ugly" to "Cookie." This was a difficult book for me to read because it hit home in many ways for me and I felt it was very accurate in describing Beauty's feelings. I wasn't sure if it would appeal to elementary girls, but I did a book talk on it and every girl in the class wanted to read it. This isn't a story about a girl who is abused. It is a story about a girl and her mother who learn to stand up for themselves. It is told with sensitivity and has several humorous moments as well.
February 25, 2012
nunggu kiriman.. hadiah kuis di vhr radio #joget2
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tadinya ga mo dibaca dulu, tapi pas buka plastiknya baca dikit eh keterusan :p
menyedihkan adalah ketika seorang ayah menganggap putrinya sendiri buruk rupa..
menyedihkan adalah ketika kau merasa pendapat ayahmu adalah benar..
menyedihkan adalah ketika kelebihanmu tidak dianggap sedikitpun oleh ayahmu sendiri..
menyedihkan adalah ketika apapun perbuatan ibumu tidak ada artinya dimata ayahmu...
menyedihkan adalah ketika kehadiran seorang ayah membuatmu ketakutan alih2 rasa aman...
baca bukku ini bikin sedih.. bukan sedih yang bikin nangis bercucuran airmata, bukan.. sedih ini di dalam...
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tadinya ga mo dibaca dulu, tapi pas buka plastiknya baca dikit eh keterusan :p
menyedihkan adalah ketika seorang ayah menganggap putrinya sendiri buruk rupa..
menyedihkan adalah ketika kau merasa pendapat ayahmu adalah benar..
menyedihkan adalah ketika kelebihanmu tidak dianggap sedikitpun oleh ayahmu sendiri..
menyedihkan adalah ketika apapun perbuatan ibumu tidak ada artinya dimata ayahmu...
menyedihkan adalah ketika kehadiran seorang ayah membuatmu ketakutan alih2 rasa aman...
baca bukku ini bikin sedih.. bukan sedih yang bikin nangis bercucuran airmata, bukan.. sedih ini di dalam...
January 3, 2013
Beauty Cookson is a smart young girl who is bullied, both at home and at school. Her peers nickname her Ugly, and her father berates her about her lack of looks, confidence and friends. He does not treat her mother that much better. After a particularly disasterous birthday, Beauty and her mother escape to the seaside to start a new life.
Considering the last book I read by Jacqueline Wilson (Lily Alone) was merely lukewarm, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this particular offering. Despite the dark themes of bullying and spousal/child abuse (Beauty's father is both emotionally and psychologically abusive), this story is full of warm fuzzies. And I'm not just talking about the rabbits.
Beauty was an interesting, three-dimensional character; a smart, quiet girl who enjoys art and a children's show called 'The Rabbit Hutch'. I liked that the show proved to be so important to the plot, as I thought at first it was just an odd little quirk of Beauty's.
I also feel that the character of Beauty's father was particularly well portrayed. He obviously felt a certain amount of love and affection for his daughter and wife, and wasn't only a villain. However, he was capable of some truly awful things. It was nice to see a character in a younger child's book rendered in many different shades of grey.
I am glad that the ending was more satisfying this time, though it was still open-ended (in a good way).
The best thing about this book is that it is not just Beauty that grows as a character - her mother grows too. I feel that this is something of a rarity in children's literature and, as such, it was one of my favourite parts of the novel.
Overall, I'd recommend anyone who is or who used to be a Jacqueline Wilson fan to pick this book up and read it. It held a sprinkle of the old magic that used to make me reread her again and again. :)
Considering the last book I read by Jacqueline Wilson (Lily Alone) was merely lukewarm, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this particular offering. Despite the dark themes of bullying and spousal/child abuse (Beauty's father is both emotionally and psychologically abusive), this story is full of warm fuzzies. And I'm not just talking about the rabbits.
Beauty was an interesting, three-dimensional character; a smart, quiet girl who enjoys art and a children's show called 'The Rabbit Hutch'. I liked that the show proved to be so important to the plot, as I thought at first it was just an odd little quirk of Beauty's.
I also feel that the character of Beauty's father was particularly well portrayed. He obviously felt a certain amount of love and affection for his daughter and wife, and wasn't only a villain. However, he was capable of some truly awful things. It was nice to see a character in a younger child's book rendered in many different shades of grey.
I am glad that the ending was more satisfying this time, though it was still open-ended (in a good way).
The best thing about this book is that it is not just Beauty that grows as a character - her mother grows too. I feel that this is something of a rarity in children's literature and, as such, it was one of my favourite parts of the novel.
Overall, I'd recommend anyone who is or who used to be a Jacqueline Wilson fan to pick this book up and read it. It held a sprinkle of the old magic that used to make me reread her again and again. :)
February 4, 2021
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall, this book is most similar to Jacqueline Wilson's other book, "candyfloss". In the story, Beauty and Dilly (her mother) are physically, mentally, and verbally abused by Beautys father-and, to make it worse, she doesn't have any friends at school, and everybody calls her ugly. That's her nickname. Ugly. Since Dilly is aware of this, she has a plan to bake cookies so everybody can start calling her "cookie" instead of "ugly". But, before Dilly can do this, they leave Beautys dad. After this, they decide to go to a place called Rabbit Cove, which also symbolizes Beautys love for rabbits. When they get to Rabbit Cove, they settle down at a shared house called Lilly Cottage. There, Dilly, Beautys mom, gets a job as a waitress/cook in the mornings. Then, Dilly and Beauty start a cookie business called "bunny cookies", and Beauty goes on TV to bake cookies and talk about how she and Dilly started doing this. Overall, this was a very interesting book and I enjoyed predicting what would happen next.
Overall, this book is most similar to Jacqueline Wilson's other book, "candyfloss". In the story, Beauty and Dilly (her mother) are physically, mentally, and verbally abused by Beautys father-and, to make it worse, she doesn't have any friends at school, and everybody calls her ugly. That's her nickname. Ugly. Since Dilly is aware of this, she has a plan to bake cookies so everybody can start calling her "cookie" instead of "ugly". But, before Dilly can do this, they leave Beautys dad. After this, they decide to go to a place called Rabbit Cove, which also symbolizes Beautys love for rabbits. When they get to Rabbit Cove, they settle down at a shared house called Lilly Cottage. There, Dilly, Beautys mom, gets a job as a waitress/cook in the mornings. Then, Dilly and Beauty start a cookie business called "bunny cookies", and Beauty goes on TV to bake cookies and talk about how she and Dilly started doing this. Overall, this was a very interesting book and I enjoyed predicting what would happen next.
July 6, 2015
I loved this book because they had really good pictures and they explained it well.
January 6, 2026
Mega throwback to my OG reading days, for my first book of the year.
I do love Jacqueline Wilson and damn she had me in a choke hold in my tweenager years. But am starting to think sis has some un dealt with trauma?? These books can be savage.
Beauty Cookson is a queen though.
I do love Jacqueline Wilson and damn she had me in a choke hold in my tweenager years. But am starting to think sis has some un dealt with trauma?? These books can be savage.
Beauty Cookson is a queen though.
August 24, 2019
Read this for a video-
Absolutely loved this, just as much as I did as a child. Loved the themes and discussions. I still love Jacquelines ability to talk about different subject matter e.g domestic abuse and bullying but in a way that is suitable for children. Loved rereading this!
Absolutely loved this, just as much as I did as a child. Loved the themes and discussions. I still love Jacquelines ability to talk about different subject matter e.g domestic abuse and bullying but in a way that is suitable for children. Loved rereading this!
November 29, 2022
Dad is a good man because
a) he loves us
b) he's given us a beautiful home
c) he works very hard for us
Dad is a bad man because
a) he gets so cross
b) he orders us around
c) he's a great big bully
In essence, this is a reiteration of Lola Rose with a dash of Sleepovers. Our protag Beauty is timid, definitely not beautiful and terribly unhappy. Her one joy is a kiddie TV show called Rabbit Hutch featuring the gentle Sam and his rabbit, Lily. She loves her kind and beautiful mum but they're both threatened by the time bomb that is Beauty's tetchy father. Beauty is tormented by a snarky blonde girl at school. In the climax they skip out after Beauty's dad essentially ruins Beauty's birthday to start anew, though without pseudonyms, at the idyllic seaside town of Rabbit Cove and make a breakthrough selling Beauty's mum's cookies. Beauty is invited to go on TV when the cookie business takes off, and finally meets Sam and Lily.
As a narrative the story works. Of course we want Beauty and Dilly to stand up for themselves and of course it's cathartic to see them finally succeed and even find happiness and support through sweet bunny-shaped baked goods after all the hell they're put through. I remember really liking the last two chapters as a child and I gather I still do—it's a happy ending after all! But now that I am not a child, I feel that Jacky Wilson doesn't really go all out on this one, something that I think even she's aware of.
The thing that distinguishes this from Lola Rose is how Beauty and Dilly are significantly upper class and how Dilly is portrayed. Money is never a problem; Dilly never actually sells more of her jewellery in the story and mother and daughter are never separated. Dilly is also portrayed much more sympathetically than Lola Rose's mum Nikki, though they're both young, fun ditzes with hearts of gold who genuinely love their kids. Nikki acts more rambunctious, has a new relationship on the run and is eventually struck down with cancer. Dilly does neither of those first two things and ends up happy and successful with her own flourishing business. It just feels more low stakes—which makes for comfy reading but ultimately pales in comparison in how it makes me personally feel. I'm not saying that Dilly's story is any less deserving of being told because she doesn't go through the same level of trauma as Nikki did, but I'm saying that when you look at context, Lola Rose is undeniably the more powerful story because of how much actually changes through the course of it. Of course Beauty experiences changes in Cookie, too, but when you compare having the courage to go bake cookies on TV and having the courage to complete a shark ritual so your mum won't die from cancer, I think one can tell which leaves a more memorable, lasting and even relatable feeling.
TL;DR, this isn't bad. I liked some parts of it. But it is essentially if Lola Rose were safer.
a) he loves us
b) he's given us a beautiful home
c) he works very hard for us
Dad is a bad man because
a) he gets so cross
b) he orders us around
c) he's a great big bully
In essence, this is a reiteration of Lola Rose with a dash of Sleepovers. Our protag Beauty is timid, definitely not beautiful and terribly unhappy. Her one joy is a kiddie TV show called Rabbit Hutch featuring the gentle Sam and his rabbit, Lily. She loves her kind and beautiful mum but they're both threatened by the time bomb that is Beauty's tetchy father. Beauty is tormented by a snarky blonde girl at school. In the climax they skip out after Beauty's dad essentially ruins Beauty's birthday to start anew, though without pseudonyms, at the idyllic seaside town of Rabbit Cove and make a breakthrough selling Beauty's mum's cookies. Beauty is invited to go on TV when the cookie business takes off, and finally meets Sam and Lily.
As a narrative the story works. Of course we want Beauty and Dilly to stand up for themselves and of course it's cathartic to see them finally succeed and even find happiness and support through sweet bunny-shaped baked goods after all the hell they're put through. I remember really liking the last two chapters as a child and I gather I still do—it's a happy ending after all! But now that I am not a child, I feel that Jacky Wilson doesn't really go all out on this one, something that I think even she's aware of.
The thing that distinguishes this from Lola Rose is how Beauty and Dilly are significantly upper class and how Dilly is portrayed. Money is never a problem; Dilly never actually sells more of her jewellery in the story and mother and daughter are never separated. Dilly is also portrayed much more sympathetically than Lola Rose's mum Nikki, though they're both young, fun ditzes with hearts of gold who genuinely love their kids. Nikki acts more rambunctious, has a new relationship on the run and is eventually struck down with cancer. Dilly does neither of those first two things and ends up happy and successful with her own flourishing business. It just feels more low stakes—which makes for comfy reading but ultimately pales in comparison in how it makes me personally feel. I'm not saying that Dilly's story is any less deserving of being told because she doesn't go through the same level of trauma as Nikki did, but I'm saying that when you look at context, Lola Rose is undeniably the more powerful story because of how much actually changes through the course of it. Of course Beauty experiences changes in Cookie, too, but when you compare having the courage to go bake cookies on TV and having the courage to complete a shark ritual so your mum won't die from cancer, I think one can tell which leaves a more memorable, lasting and even relatable feeling.
TL;DR, this isn't bad. I liked some parts of it. But it is essentially if Lola Rose were safer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2012
Sepertinya sudah lama sejak terakhir membaca karya Tante Jacqueline. Kangen juga dengan buku-bukunya yang banyak mengangkat anak broken home, perceraian, atau bahkan kekerasan dalam rumah tangga, meski kadang secara pribadi agak jengah gitu karena kebanyakan pembacanya kan anak-anak (bukan saya maksudnyahh... :D).
Cookie bertutur tentang Beauty Cookson, gadis cilik yang merasa rendah diri dan tak menjadi dirinya sendiri, karena sang ayah yang abusive, temperamental, dan terlalu membentuk Beauty--dan ibunya--sesuai apa yang ayahnya inginkan (yang sebenarnya sangat Beauty benci). Puncaknya saat ulang tahun Beauty, sang ayah makin tak terkendali. Beauty dan sang ibu pun memutuskan minggat dari rumah mewah mereka.
***
Baca buku ini jadi terngiang-ngiang kembali syair Dorothy Law Nolte, Children Learn What They Live. Mau kau bentuk seperti apa anakmu? Sikap rendah diri dan tertekan Beauty adalah hasil salah didik sang ayah. Ada begitu banyak anak yang mendapatkan kekerasan verbal dari orangtua mereka, yang efeknya pada kehidupan mereka tak kalah dengan kekerasan fisik. Novel ini mengingatkan kita tentang hal tersebut, serta tentang belajar mencintai diri sendiri, berani keluar dari situasi tertekan, dan bagi seorang istri untuk tak selalu bergantung secara ekonomi pada suami.
Cookie bertutur tentang Beauty Cookson, gadis cilik yang merasa rendah diri dan tak menjadi dirinya sendiri, karena sang ayah yang abusive, temperamental, dan terlalu membentuk Beauty--dan ibunya--sesuai apa yang ayahnya inginkan (yang sebenarnya sangat Beauty benci). Puncaknya saat ulang tahun Beauty, sang ayah makin tak terkendali. Beauty dan sang ibu pun memutuskan minggat dari rumah mewah mereka.
***
Baca buku ini jadi terngiang-ngiang kembali syair Dorothy Law Nolte, Children Learn What They Live. Mau kau bentuk seperti apa anakmu? Sikap rendah diri dan tertekan Beauty adalah hasil salah didik sang ayah. Ada begitu banyak anak yang mendapatkan kekerasan verbal dari orangtua mereka, yang efeknya pada kehidupan mereka tak kalah dengan kekerasan fisik. Novel ini mengingatkan kita tentang hal tersebut, serta tentang belajar mencintai diri sendiri, berani keluar dari situasi tertekan, dan bagi seorang istri untuk tak selalu bergantung secara ekonomi pada suami.
September 26, 2011
This is an excellent book! I was so upset about the way Beauty's dad talks to her mum - no respect! Also that they can’t even enjoy living in a beautiful house because of Beauty’s dads stupid house rules. I was shocked that he slapped her!! I was really sorry for Beauty, and the way she had to lie about what was actually going on in her house. There were some fun and exciting parts in the story when, Dad is went away and they spend their time watching Rabbit Hutch and eating sticky pink iced buns. I loved the way they had a passion for making cookies!! Overall this is one of the best books I've ever read. Beauty/ Cookie has no beauty; but she's kind, different, intelligent and caring.
P.S I recommend this book to teen girls, and girls who think their names or weird! They can make a nick name , by the talent they have! hahahaha lol
P.S I recommend this book to teen girls, and girls who think their names or weird! They can make a nick name , by the talent they have! hahahaha lol
August 9, 2022
"Aku benci dia. Aku tidak tahan menjadi jelek. Dia ayahku, dia seharusnya suka aku apa adanya. ... " ~ h. 116
Beauty sangat tidak menyukai ayahnya, Mr. Cookson. Wajar saja karena sifat ayahnya yang otoriter dan meremehkan orang di sekitarnya, termasuk ibu Beauty. Berkali-kali Beauty dan ibunya harus mengalah dan terpaksa menuruti keinginan Ayahnya yang sangat mudah marah, apalagi jika moodnya sedang jelek.
Namun, segalanya berubah ketika hadiah terbaik Beauty dari sahabat terbaiknya, Rhona, tertimpa tragedi akibat perlakuan Mr. Cookson.
Seperti kebanyakan karya dari Jacqueline Wilson, buku ini menceritakan ketidakharmonisan atau konflik dalam keluarga dengan menggunakan sudut pandang anak-anak. Beauty yang menjadi insecure ketika berkali-kali diremehkan Ayahnya terkait fisik, plus ditambah namanya Beauty yang menjadi ejekan beberapa teman sekolahnya. Juga, bagaimana perasaan Beauty, melihat Sang Ayah memperlakukan ibunya sebagai obyek pajangan dan makian.
Selalu menarik membaca karya JW, terutama penggambaran tentang perasaan-perasaan anak/remaja dengan konflik-konflik yang ada di sekitarnya. Kisah yang bisa menjadi tambahan perspektif orang yang lebih dewasa untuk berempati kepada anak-anak/remaja, termasuk bagaimana memperlakukan mereka.
Beauty sangat tidak menyukai ayahnya, Mr. Cookson. Wajar saja karena sifat ayahnya yang otoriter dan meremehkan orang di sekitarnya, termasuk ibu Beauty. Berkali-kali Beauty dan ibunya harus mengalah dan terpaksa menuruti keinginan Ayahnya yang sangat mudah marah, apalagi jika moodnya sedang jelek.
Namun, segalanya berubah ketika hadiah terbaik Beauty dari sahabat terbaiknya, Rhona, tertimpa tragedi akibat perlakuan Mr. Cookson.
Seperti kebanyakan karya dari Jacqueline Wilson, buku ini menceritakan ketidakharmonisan atau konflik dalam keluarga dengan menggunakan sudut pandang anak-anak. Beauty yang menjadi insecure ketika berkali-kali diremehkan Ayahnya terkait fisik, plus ditambah namanya Beauty yang menjadi ejekan beberapa teman sekolahnya. Juga, bagaimana perasaan Beauty, melihat Sang Ayah memperlakukan ibunya sebagai obyek pajangan dan makian.
Selalu menarik membaca karya JW, terutama penggambaran tentang perasaan-perasaan anak/remaja dengan konflik-konflik yang ada di sekitarnya. Kisah yang bisa menjadi tambahan perspektif orang yang lebih dewasa untuk berempati kepada anak-anak/remaja, termasuk bagaimana memperlakukan mereka.
September 12, 2019
4,5 / 5 ⭐
Cukup kaget karena author bisa mengangkat topik KDRT & verbal abuse dengan bahasa dan penyampaian cerita yg ringan.
Aku suka keseluruhan cerita, tapi menurutku karakter yg justru amat sangat kusoroti di sini justru mamanya Beauty. Dilly adalah karakter yg paling membuatku kagum, bagaimana perkembangan karakternya dibuat sangat perlahan tapi pasti. Dilly ibu yg sangat amat baik namun sayangnya selalu dapat perlakuan tidak pantas dan tidak adil menurutku.
Jadi ketika ia bertekad mandiri bersama dengan Beauty,aku bener2 lega.
Aku justru agak merasa karakter Beauty agak sedikit gak konsisten ntahlah, ada beberapa scene dimana dia tampak seperti ayahnya. Makanya aku kurang begitu suka jadinya..
Cukup kaget karena author bisa mengangkat topik KDRT & verbal abuse dengan bahasa dan penyampaian cerita yg ringan.
Aku suka keseluruhan cerita, tapi menurutku karakter yg justru amat sangat kusoroti di sini justru mamanya Beauty. Dilly adalah karakter yg paling membuatku kagum, bagaimana perkembangan karakternya dibuat sangat perlahan tapi pasti. Dilly ibu yg sangat amat baik namun sayangnya selalu dapat perlakuan tidak pantas dan tidak adil menurutku.
Jadi ketika ia bertekad mandiri bersama dengan Beauty,aku bener2 lega.
Aku justru agak merasa karakter Beauty agak sedikit gak konsisten ntahlah, ada beberapa scene dimana dia tampak seperti ayahnya. Makanya aku kurang begitu suka jadinya..
December 22, 2023
Maybe it’s nostalgia goggles (was my favourite when I was younger) but it was just a nice read despite the whole abuse storyline. The ending was a bit cheesy but it was feel good in the end. For some reason I remember Dilly and Mike getting together but I guess it was just my imagination. Also I don’t remember this being such a serious story but that’s old Jackie for you.
February 23, 2024
Lovely!!
Another favorite written by jacqueline, i may just start reading her more often ❤️.
A good way to get out of my reading slump is by reading a nice simple, sorta messed up for a kids (older kids) book, easy-going book.
Tough beginnings and happy endings 🍪
Another favorite written by jacqueline, i may just start reading her more often ❤️.
A good way to get out of my reading slump is by reading a nice simple, sorta messed up for a kids (older kids) book, easy-going book.
Tough beginnings and happy endings 🍪
July 25, 2025
You pudding 🥶
Read
December 16, 2025Loving this trip back to my inner child
October 3, 2023
have decided to re read jacqueline wilson books for nostalgia 💯 not as traumatising as i remember as a child and in the end it really is a cute story
September 11, 2023
Jacqueline Wilson is an incredible children’s author and I want to re-read all my favourite ones and the ones I haven’t.
July 17, 2012
Beauty harus menanggung ejekan dari teman-teman nya disekolah karena namanya...bahkan mereka memanggilnya Ugly yang menurut mereka lebih pantas untuknya. Dengan pipi gembil, rambut lurus dan sikap tidak percaya diri, makin menambah penderitaan Beauty.
Tapi tidak semua temannya bersikap jahat padanya, salah seorang teman tampaknya cukup tulus untuk menerima Beauty sebagai teman. Beauty gadis cilik dengan ibu penyayang namun tak berdaya bersama-sama harus menghadapi seorang ayah yang otoriter, moody dan sulit.... kok bisa ya jadi ayah...
Keberanian akhirnya bisa dimiliki oleh mama Beauty untuk menjauh dari kesulitan yang ditimbulkan ayahnya bahkan menjauh dari Happy Home mereka.
Jaqueline Wilson selalu membuat cerita sederhana tetapi menyentuh, walaupun ini bercerita dari sisi pandang seorang anak tetapi kisahnya sendiri lebih sebagai bahan pelajaran bagi orang tua untuk memahami dunia anak.
Love this book...love Jacqueline Wilson, semua buku Jacky yg sy baca sy suka.Beauty, gadis kecil dalam buku ini,saya paham sekali dengan apa yg dia harus hadapi setiap hari.Banyak sebenarnya kejadian yg persis sama seperti yg dialaminya.Jadi istimewa nya cerita2 yg di tulis oleh JW adalah kejadian sehari-hari yg mungkin banyak dialami orang tetapi tetap menyentuh,mengharukan atau membahagiakan.Masih ada satu buku JW yg menanti utk dibaca..tak sabar rasanya..:)
Tapi tidak semua temannya bersikap jahat padanya, salah seorang teman tampaknya cukup tulus untuk menerima Beauty sebagai teman. Beauty gadis cilik dengan ibu penyayang namun tak berdaya bersama-sama harus menghadapi seorang ayah yang otoriter, moody dan sulit.... kok bisa ya jadi ayah...
Keberanian akhirnya bisa dimiliki oleh mama Beauty untuk menjauh dari kesulitan yang ditimbulkan ayahnya bahkan menjauh dari Happy Home mereka.
Jaqueline Wilson selalu membuat cerita sederhana tetapi menyentuh, walaupun ini bercerita dari sisi pandang seorang anak tetapi kisahnya sendiri lebih sebagai bahan pelajaran bagi orang tua untuk memahami dunia anak.
Love this book...love Jacqueline Wilson, semua buku Jacky yg sy baca sy suka.Beauty, gadis kecil dalam buku ini,saya paham sekali dengan apa yg dia harus hadapi setiap hari.Banyak sebenarnya kejadian yg persis sama seperti yg dialaminya.Jadi istimewa nya cerita2 yg di tulis oleh JW adalah kejadian sehari-hari yg mungkin banyak dialami orang tetapi tetap menyentuh,mengharukan atau membahagiakan.Masih ada satu buku JW yg menanti utk dibaca..tak sabar rasanya..:)
December 13, 2025
Read this book during a trip to England when i was in elementary or middle school, and its stuck w me since. I think Im due for a reread soon :')
12/6/2025 update!! Finally read it again after maybe a decade and a half. It hit harder this time around as I read it with adult eyes. Some things I could really relate to in my childhood and I had to put the book down multiple times because it was just too much sometimes. Im really just glad that there's a book out there written for children that touch on the theme of domestic violence; these things are important to be carefully introduced early on I feel. Still a great book after all this time
12/6/2025 update!! Finally read it again after maybe a decade and a half. It hit harder this time around as I read it with adult eyes. Some things I could really relate to in my childhood and I had to put the book down multiple times because it was just too much sometimes. Im really just glad that there's a book out there written for children that touch on the theme of domestic violence; these things are important to be carefully introduced early on I feel. Still a great book after all this time
April 14, 2022
such a fun book! i remember why i loved it so much when i was younger although of course it’s a bit too childish for me nowadays :)
January 6, 2024
What the fuck why was I reading this at the ripe age that I was
May 7, 2018
I really loved Cookie. It was definitely one of my favourite Jacqueline Wilson books. I think that anyone who is struggling with a parents divorce or parents fighting all the time would find comfort in this book.
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