The Cookie Maker of Mavin Road

by Sue Lawson, Liz Anelli (Illustrator)

On Mavin Road, there's no time for hellos or chats--until a lonely and mysterious cookie maker's gifts bring everyone together.

Benedict Stanley lives alone with his cat on a road where families hustle, joggers puff, workers scurry to the train, and no one has time for anyone else. So Benedict begins making cookies to mark moments in his neighbors' lives--a new baby, a kitten rescue, a soccer event--and quietly leaves the treats at their doors. People wonder who this secret cookie maker could be, but only young Rory knows his identity. When Benedict falls ill one day, Rory gathers the residents of Mavin Road, the recipients of Benedict's kindness, and brings them to the cookie maker's door. A beautiful, heartwarming book that celebrates community and human connection--and features a simple cookie recipe at the end that's ready to be customized for someone's special occasion.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2021

About the author

Sue Lawson is an award winning young adult and junior fiction author, with a passion for
young people, writing and reading. Her books are recognized for the sensitive way they
explore the exciting and heartbreaking complexities of adolescence.
A former teacher, Sue has also worked for both ABC and commercial stations and currently
works part time for Geelong's BAY FM.
Her book Pan’s Whisper was shortlisted for the 2012 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards,
Young Adult Fiction, won the 2012 Australian Family Therapist Award, Children’s Literature
and was shortlisted for other awards.
Her latest young adult novel, based on real events, is Freedom Ride.

Reviews

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good lesson here to not forget your senior neighbors.

[Deidre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book about community and looking out for each other! A man (probably a widower) watches his street and makes cookies for people based on things happening in their lives. He gets sick, and people notice because the cookies don't get made, and then they help take care of him. Sort of unrealistic premise, but sweet still and I liked the illustrations and the message of community and taking care of the lonely. Also how small acts can have big impact.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Benedict and his cat Audrey Mae come up with a plan to connect with their extremely busy neighbors on Mavin Road, everyone appreciates the gesture but are still too busy to find out who the mystery cookie maker is. One small boy does know the "secret" and when the cookies don't appear for several days and Audrey is found outside their garden, our small hero leads the others to a very ill Benedict. The neighbors rally and Benedict's kindness sparks a more neighborly nieighborhood.

This charming 2020 Australian book has been brought to the North American market by Candlewick. Large mixed media artwork, oversize text, and a beautiful story make this a great read aloud picture book for ages 4-8. A subtle message about caring for one another makes this a great choice for story time and class reading. The book includes the basic sugar cookie recipe for the cookies made in the story.

I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Each morning, they greet their neighbors. But ears are too full and mouths stay closed."
A story about a widow who secretly bakes cookies for all his neighbors as he watches their accomplishments. When he gets sick and the cookies stop...they neighbors wonder what happened. Complete with a cookie recipe in the back!

[Alex (Pucksandpaperbacks)]

This a book about community as a cookie maker makes cookies for all events in town but doesn't reveal himself. However, at the start of the story a young boy, Rory meets him. Once Benedict (The cookie maker) falls ill, the community rallies around him. I thought it was fine! I like the message but it seemed a little short & rushed. However, I did really enjoy the illustration style.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE COOKIE MAKER OF MAVIN ROAD is about an elderly man who bakes cookies for his neighbors. These delicious random acts of kindness celebrate all of the ordinary moments in their neighborhood until he falls ill and they piece together the mystery of their secret baker.

[EJLJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, the author paints a beautiful picture in words, and the illustrator has some of the best artwork I have seen in a children's book. The illustration and story are interwoven so well, and the story is peaceful, sad, happy, and encouraging, all in a short book. Highly encourage all parents to read this to their kids.

[Suebee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pictures are too cluttered and the text too sparse (I found myself adding words for the text to make sense) for me to recommend this for purchase.

Better off purchasing “Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch”
For a similar theme, but done well.

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet and short read about how we can live eachother on the streets and communities where we live. Marvin Road is a gloomy place until unexpected kindness strikes and inspires a community to live each other well. Great themes!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book about growing community through kindness!

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cookies made by a secret baker celebrate events in a neighborhood until the baker becomes ill and the cookies missed by all.
Give with joy. Share your talents. Expect nothing in return.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story but the illustration style wasn't my favorite.