Sunday Sundaes

Sprinkle Sundays #1

by Coco Simon, Elizabeth Doyle Carey

Enjoy a sprinkle of happy with this fun, sweet series from the author of the Cupcake Diaries series!

Meet the Sunday Sundae Sisters! Allie, Sierra, and Tamiko have been best friends since kindergarten. Now Allie’s parents are divorced and Allie has moved one town away. She can still see her friends but she no longer goes to the same middle school. So that means new teachers, new classrooms, and new students to deal with—all without her BFFs for support. But when Allie’s mom decides to fulfill her lifelong dream and open up an ice cream shop, Allie has an idea. Maybe she and her friends can work in the shop every Sunday! It’s a way for them to stay in touch every week and have fun—that is, of course, until they actually start working.

The girls soon discover that working in an ice cream shop is more than just scooping cones and adding toppings. It’s serious work and Allie feels the pressure of having to “be the boss” around her friends. Can the girls work together every week and still remain BFFs? They can—especially when they settle their differences over an ice cream cone.

Written by Coco Simon, author of the popular Cupcake Diaries series, this yummy new middle grade series for girls will have the same sweet wholesome fun both girls and parents crave. It’s sure to be another delicious hit!

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Food, Chapter Books

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

Coco Simon always dreamed of opening a cupcake bakery, but she’s afraid she would eat all the profits. When she’s not daydreaming about cupcakes, Coco edits children’s books and has written close to 100 books for children, tweens, and young adults, which is a lot less than the number of cupcakes she’s eaten. Cupcake Diaries is the first time Coco has mixed her love of cupcakes with writing.

Reviews

[Dann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and silly, just like the rest of my life.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: A hot August wind lifted my brown hair and cooled the back of my neck as I waited for the bus to take me to my new school. I hoped I was standing in the right spot. I hoped I was wearing the right thing. I wished I were anywhere else.

Premise/plot: When Allie returns from summer camp she learns that her parents are divorcing. She'll be moving with her mom and brother. It's just one town away, but it means she'll see less of her dad, less of her best, best friends (Tamiko and Sierra), and that she'll have to start a new school. If there's a plus to this news it's that her mom will be leaving her old job and starting her dream job. Her mom will be opening an ice cream parlor. Will Allie make new friends? Can she stay in touch with her old friends? Are her parents telling her the truth when they promise that things will be better now than ever before?

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. Allie loves, loves, loves to read. She loves the library. She's not socially awkward--not in a true sense of the word, she just didn't find her people right away at the new school. Or should I say her KINDRED SPIRITS. Allie's a great kid--who wouldn't want to be her friend?

I really like the premise of this series. Each Sunday, Sierra, Tamiko, and Allie will work together at her mom's ice cream parlor.

The book has a cozy feel to it.

[Sandra Girard-Demontigny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book of this series. Allie is a very mature character for her age. I really liked her sensitive side. This novel made me relive some emotions from my past! The rest of the story intrigues me.

J'ai bien aimé le premier tome de cette série. Allie est un personnage très mature pour son âge. J'ai vraiment apprécié son côté sensible. Ce roman m'a fait revivre certaines émotions vécu dans mon passé ! La suite de cette histoire m'intrigue.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book in the aforementioned "So Sweet!" book I got.

I didn't really like this one as much as the Cupcake Diaries. It seemed like it was trying to copy it.

For example, there were many mentions of the Cupcake Diaries and, like in the Cupcake Diaries, it was the first day of middle school.

I thought the main character was kind of annoying and once again, the stupid cliche of the "mean girls" was back again. 🥱

Otherwise, it was okay and was more likely meant for elementary schoolers.

[Magic of Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

What made me pick this book up - the front cover (wink smiley) and the same author as "The Cupcake Diaries" series (which we loved reading!).

Allie has returned from her summer camp, but to her utter dismay, she comes to know that her parents are getting separated. She is going to be moving with her mom and brother. It is just one town away, but they are selling the house, her mom is quitting her job to open up an ice cream parlor (which is good, as it is her mom's dream job!), and now, Allie is moving onto a new and fancier school! Oh! terrible on her! Allie is going to miss her old friends and she can no longer run the school Book Fest, but there is no other choice left for her.

Will Allie be fine in the new neighborhood and school? Will she make new friends? Will her mom's ice cream parlor be a success?

Read on...

Note:: Allie is also an ardent reader like all of us! YAY!

This story entertained me as well as taught me how to adapt. Embracing life's changes in the best possible manner is the gist of this story.

Perfect for kids ages 8+ (middle-grade book)

[Swati Shome · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book that introduces children to problems related to running a business.

Three friends decide to assist running an ice cream shop. The task proves challenging as they are expected to be meticulous about various aspects such as the quantity of free samples, and maintaining cleanliness. Who should cover the cost of dropped ice cream? They come up with innovative marketing plans but realize there is a lot to learn. For instance, they need to communicate privately with the owner before informing customers about free coupons.
The story also introduces a variety of Japanese foods, as the protagonist is Japanese. She attends a fair with her friends where these foods are showcased. The narrative highlights the complexities of having a friend as your manager and the importance of setting aside time for socializing, separate from work responsibilities. Its a tale of learning, growth, and the nuances of running a small business.

[Harold Vance III · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book series I was looking for when my ex-wife and I separated. The main character in this one (and in book number 4) is Allie, a young, adolescent girl who's parents have recently divorced and made many associated changes to their family life. Simon does a great job telling the story in a way that shows divorce can be a hard thing to go through, and yet may also be a positive change that doesn't have to bring about increased conflict, turmoil, or disconnection. Sunday Sundaes tells the story of a family figuring out such changes, and working through them well together as a cohesive, co-parenting unit.

Reading this series together with my two young daughters has given them great opportunity to comment and ask questions throughout regarding our own changing family situation.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a book about a girl named Allie. She goes to summer camp then comes home and her parents tell her they're getting divorced. The way they tell her is really weird honestly. Its FULL of toxic positivity while undermining her feelings. Anywho, they split and the mom worked with the dad so with the divorce, she's also starting a new ice cream business. Allie has to move to a new suburb away from her friends at a super boujie school. The popular girls aren't very nice, etc. This is definitely a set up book for the rest of the series so it wasn't very satisfying. However, I really liked the main character's bookishness and the foodie element of course. I'm on the fence if this will be a series for my daughter or not. I am going to continue to see.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more of a 3.5 stars.

I definitely prefer what I have read out of the Cupcake Diaries more. I've read 4 in Coco's other series. I liked this book closer to the end of the book. I really don't like how divorce is played out in this book. The book starts out with a divorce and I didn't really care for that.

I'm not sure why I didn't like this book as much as the other series. I think a part of it might be because Allie, the main character in this book, changes schools, so her friends are not a part of school life.

[Yapha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and fun! When Allie's parents get divorced, she has to move to a new town and a new middle school. The down side is she is far away from her two best friends. The upside is that her mom finally follows her dreams and opens an ice cream shop. A great story about balancing new and old friendships, standing up for yourself, and getting used to different living situations. Recommended for grades 3 and up.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing it is a big sundae with lots of flavors you just want to lick it all up. I like how I can relate to Ally and how her parents are divorcing like mine. It´s awesome how it includes book references and how she likes reading. I love reading and my sister calls me a book worm but, I don't mind. Some book series you should definitely try out are cupcake diaries, donut dreams, the stilton, and whatever after.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved the similarities and the backstory. I love it all!!! My rating is 10000000000♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾ x forever and infinity%!!!!!! I love the part where we find out about the divorce and that Allie's parents are still friendly... almost friends. I love the prospect of the ice cream shop... it inspired me!! I want to own an ice cream shop now. I AM SO EXCITED FOR OTHERS TO READ THEM!!!

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series for our library. I ordered this one because Cupcake Diaries has been popular. I suspect that many of my kidd will see bits of themselves and their own friends in the three girls, Allie, Tamiko, and Sierra, as the three weather changes wrought by Allie's parents' divorce and her subsequent move to a new school.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

This is a cute book with some good life lessons when moving to a new school, navigating transition in life and dealing with bullies. I hate that she had so much going on in her life right out the gate but she handled it with grace after realizing she could be honest with her best friends and still have new friends at her new school, etc.

[Pumpkin Spice Retrograde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a challenging book but it's what i need riyht now. A wholesome story. The protagonist is dealing with a divorce and stress of a new school, but she gets through it. I am too old for this series, but it is a nice relaxing read.

Complaint: Why is the author shilling the Cupcake Diaries series through the protagonist? Seems a bit underhanded.

[Kati Polodna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received at ALA Midwinter 2018. Cute premise, liked the three BFFs.

[wonderwomand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this wonderful book. I discovered an Advanced Reading Copy of this book at one of my favorite bookstores.

[Mary Elizabeth Morton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cover...cute story...fun book to read along with my book loving 8 year old daughter.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, lol.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough topics like divorce and bullies are lightened up with ice cream and best friends.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear I could’ve written this book!! My life is pretty much Allie’s mom!

[Crys · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understood that she was sad to leave her own home (I would be too)...but she should have been more open to moving into a new home and starting new adventures.

[Josie Dallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone stole my life and put it in a book (with a few changes for copyright purposes I assume). It’s amazing, I love it.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie's mom is opening an Ice Cream shop! Even though some changes are required, Allie, Tamiko, and Sierra will take on any challenge!

[Rithika Ramanathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book.

[Anshita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!!!

[Savannah Cordell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Sprinkle Sundays, Sunday Sundaes. It was very fun read. I like the depth of the charters and would read the rest of the series.

[Hazel]

It is a sweet and surprising summer read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series by the cupcake Diaries author. -Lily