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Sometimes Cake
Sometimes it’s your birthday. And sometimes it isn’t. But even if it’s not your birthday, it’s still important to celebrate everyday things like Tuesdays, coconuts, and orange, and also yellow and lions. And monkeys. And purple. Friends Audrey and Lion find pleasure and solace in marking small moments together, with the help of balloons and confetti and drums and games and hats. For anyone who has ever wished for a birthday party every day of the year, this is a story about finding your own reasons to have cake—and to enjoy spending time with good friends.
Have you ever wanted to celebrate an unbirthday? Or just an ordinary day? A charming story of friendship—and appreciating the small stuff.
Have you ever wanted to celebrate an unbirthday? Or just an ordinary day? A charming story of friendship—and appreciating the small stuff.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2020
58 people want to read
About the author
Edwina Wyatt
16 books14 followersEdwina Wyatt worked as a lawyer and as a high-school teacher before becoming a writer of children’s books. Her books have earned numerous awards, including two Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Books. Sometimes Cake is her first book with Candlewick Press. She lives with her family in Victoria, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 21, 2022
Today is my day to read about cake. Earlier I posted a review of The Adventures of Miss Petitfour. Here is a picture book about finding things to celebrate everyday. You don't have to wait until your birthday. Audrey and Lion will steal your heart, too. They will also make you want to have a party -- or at least find some cake.
September 21, 2022
Sweet and adorable. This is one of those picture books that really captures the spirit of childhood, IMO. I love the imagination and creativity, the celebration of the "ordinary" -- truly finding the extraordinary in everything. The illustrations are soft, energetic, and totally charming.
August 6, 2022
Lion and Audrey find ways to celebrate birthdays (even if it's not your own, it's bound to be somebody's, right?) and Tuesdays and coconuts and Thursdays and orange and yellow and purple and ordinary days and lions and monkeys.
A simple story of finding delight wherever it appears.
A simple story of finding delight wherever it appears.
March 29, 2022
Audrey meets a Lion. He is celebrating something different every day. Some days he celebrates orange, also yellow. He decorates with orange and yellow, and makes a paper crown. Audrey asks if they can add in purple as well, and they make a party of it with yellow and purple banners, and a purple crown for Audrey. Each day they celebrate something different. Sometimes cake with coconut frosting. Sometimes balloons. But one day, Lion isn't celebrating anything. It's just an ordinary day. How will Audrey make the day special for Lion if there is nothing to celebrate?
I loved this sweet book! The writing is so charming, and the characters are adorable! This book reminds me of a book I had when I was a little girl about a rabbit and a little girl who are searching for the perfect present for the girl's mother. The mood and style are very similar. It's calming and sweet and heartfelt in a simple yet meaningful way.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! I love the soft art style, and all the little details in the background of each scene that give the story more depth. You can see the craft supplies strewn about on the floor as they make a banner for their party, or the baking supplies and cups and bowls and coconuts all over the kitchen from making the cake. Those details are what make this story so special!
There's something so indescribably lovely about this charming book. It's a delight from start to finish!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved this sweet book! The writing is so charming, and the characters are adorable! This book reminds me of a book I had when I was a little girl about a rabbit and a little girl who are searching for the perfect present for the girl's mother. The mood and style are very similar. It's calming and sweet and heartfelt in a simple yet meaningful way.
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! I love the soft art style, and all the little details in the background of each scene that give the story more depth. You can see the craft supplies strewn about on the floor as they make a banner for their party, or the baking supplies and cups and bowls and coconuts all over the kitchen from making the cake. Those details are what make this story so special!
There's something so indescribably lovely about this charming book. It's a delight from start to finish!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
January 19, 2022
While fairly quiet in tone, this sweet tale is bound to make you smile. Audrey and Lion like to celebrate, but not necessarily the typical things such as birthdays. After celebrating someone's birthday with a purple balloon and cheers, Lion and Audrey celebrate Tuesdays and coconuts. They also celebrate orange, yellow, and purple. When Audrey comes across Lion on what he calls "an ordinary day", Audrey decides that even ordinary days are worth celebrating. The soft pencil and watercolor illustrations highlight the sweet friendship between the girl and lion as they find joy in celebrating all sorts of wonderful things. Young readers/listeners are bound to want to celebrate all kinds of things themselves after reading this tender tale.
March 26, 2022
Audrey and Lion are two friends who find reasons to celebrate - sometimes with cake - even when it's not their birthdays.
Most of the pictures in this book portray the two main characters interacting with one another against a cream background. Both Audrey and Lion have eyes that are just dots, a style that is very prevalent but not my most favorite. The overall style does remind me a bit of Helen Oxenbury's work in that the illustrations are somewhat soft and subdued and create a gentle atmosphere. This is a quiet book about celebrating everyday moments, and the pictures reflect that.
The text is concise and includes a lot of dialogue, which makes it really fun to read aloud. Some of the pictures' details wouldn't translate well to those sitting at the back of a large group, but I do story time for 15-ish kids at a time in my own basement and it will be fine for that environment. Since the story is not about birthdays, it can work for any theme related to celebrations, cake, dessert, and/or friendship. I think I'm going to pair it with Phoebe Dupree is Coming to Tea for a story time about celebrations.
I found this to be a delightful read, somewhat reminiscent of Hooray for Amanda and her Alligator by Mo Willems, but with less snark and more affection between the characters. It's such a cheerful and cozy little book and I can't wait to read it aloud!
I received a finished copy of Sometimes Cake from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.
Most of the pictures in this book portray the two main characters interacting with one another against a cream background. Both Audrey and Lion have eyes that are just dots, a style that is very prevalent but not my most favorite. The overall style does remind me a bit of Helen Oxenbury's work in that the illustrations are somewhat soft and subdued and create a gentle atmosphere. This is a quiet book about celebrating everyday moments, and the pictures reflect that.
The text is concise and includes a lot of dialogue, which makes it really fun to read aloud. Some of the pictures' details wouldn't translate well to those sitting at the back of a large group, but I do story time for 15-ish kids at a time in my own basement and it will be fine for that environment. Since the story is not about birthdays, it can work for any theme related to celebrations, cake, dessert, and/or friendship. I think I'm going to pair it with Phoebe Dupree is Coming to Tea for a story time about celebrations.
I found this to be a delightful read, somewhat reminiscent of Hooray for Amanda and her Alligator by Mo Willems, but with less snark and more affection between the characters. It's such a cheerful and cozy little book and I can't wait to read it aloud!
I received a finished copy of Sometimes Cake from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2022
Mister and I loved this.
December 15, 2021
I accessed and early digital copy of this, and look forward to seeing it in all the paper glory I hope it contains.
Literally made the “awe” sound out loud on the last page. That’s my reaction to this super sweet book that encourages celebrating the ordinary days.
Literally made the “awe” sound out loud on the last page. That’s my reaction to this super sweet book that encourages celebrating the ordinary days.
February 14, 2022
I did not get this. It was cute, yes. The colors, the kid and the lion, and just the feel good vibes made it cute. Yet, I did not understand the end. Was the ordinary day actually a Tuesday? If it was then wouldn't it not be an ordinary day? My Dad was making the argument that when they celebrated Tuesdays it may not actually be Tuesday, but I am not sold on that theory.
September 23, 2021
Birthdays aren't the only thing worth celebrating over cake, balloons, and party hats-- any reason is good enough for treats like these! Whether you're celebrating Tuesdays, the color orange, or even just an ordinary day, there's sometimes-- well, always-- room for cake.
July 10, 2020
Such a sweet and whimsical story about celebrating the little things in life!
Sometimes – and I know this from experience – little people think that every day is a special day. And that every trip to the shops, every drive in the car and every visit from Aunty Zo will result in a special surprise treat!
This story by Wyatt endeavours to show little minds that not every day is a special day, and that our ordinary days are just as important and are also worth celebrating! Though I believe it is important to find the ‘specialness’ in our everyday life, I also think it is worth learning how to appreciate the smaller things, the quiet moments, the creative and imagined worlds.
The watercolour illustrations by Tamsin Ainslie were absolutely stunning. The double page spread in the middle of the story of Audrey sitting on the floor using her imagination and creating something special was profound that it did not even need any accompanying words.
I am so excited for this story to join my growing array of picture books on my classroom bookshelf!
Thank you @walkerbooksaus for gifting me this story to read and review!
Sometimes – and I know this from experience – little people think that every day is a special day. And that every trip to the shops, every drive in the car and every visit from Aunty Zo will result in a special surprise treat!
This story by Wyatt endeavours to show little minds that not every day is a special day, and that our ordinary days are just as important and are also worth celebrating! Though I believe it is important to find the ‘specialness’ in our everyday life, I also think it is worth learning how to appreciate the smaller things, the quiet moments, the creative and imagined worlds.
The watercolour illustrations by Tamsin Ainslie were absolutely stunning. The double page spread in the middle of the story of Audrey sitting on the floor using her imagination and creating something special was profound that it did not even need any accompanying words.
I am so excited for this story to join my growing array of picture books on my classroom bookshelf!
Thank you @walkerbooksaus for gifting me this story to read and review!
January 24, 2022
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
First published in Australia in 2020 by Walker Books, in the US in 2022!
Young Audrey finds a lion with a special-looking cake, imagines, and asks if it's his birthday. "Sometimes," said Lion. "But not today." Lion had a cake and Audrey asks what he is celebrating. He tells her Tuesdays and coconuts. She was okay with that so they ate cake. Moving through the pages, readers will see that celebrations can be for lots of things, not only birthdays. Edwina Wyatts tells this sweet story and Tamsin Ainslie illustrates with lots and lots of colorful details. Audrey and the lion have a happy time with all kinds of fun while celebrating.
First published in Australia in 2020 by Walker Books, in the US in 2022!
Young Audrey finds a lion with a special-looking cake, imagines, and asks if it's his birthday. "Sometimes," said Lion. "But not today." Lion had a cake and Audrey asks what he is celebrating. He tells her Tuesdays and coconuts. She was okay with that so they ate cake. Moving through the pages, readers will see that celebrations can be for lots of things, not only birthdays. Edwina Wyatts tells this sweet story and Tamsin Ainslie illustrates with lots and lots of colorful details. Audrey and the lion have a happy time with all kinds of fun while celebrating.
October 31, 2022
What a lovely book! You don't have to have a birthday to throw a party- any day is a perfect choice to celebrate your favorite things. But some days just seem, well, ordinary. On those days, you may need a friend to celebrate you! And also - monkeys.
This would be a fun book to share in a story time. And then you can ask kids what they would celebrate. I strongly recommend a rousing chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow". And, of course, cake and confetti - even if it's only coloring and pasting.
Soman's Agent Lion books would pair well with this one.
This would be a fun book to share in a story time. And then you can ask kids what they would celebrate. I strongly recommend a rousing chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow". And, of course, cake and confetti - even if it's only coloring and pasting.
Soman's Agent Lion books would pair well with this one.
February 14, 2022
I really liked this book! It was cute and the illustrations are so pretty and colorful. I liked that Lion and Audrey were celebrating every day things. In a way it says to me "there is something to celebrate everyday" and when Lion didn't have something to celebrate (possibly just due to it being a blah day) Audrey went on to find something to celebrate and include Lion. Overall to me, it's a story about finding joy in every day occurrences.
March 2, 2022
This story is such a great celebration of life's ordinary things that truly deserve praise like Tuesdays and yellow and coconuts. Children are so wise in their heartfelt appreciation of everyday delights. This book is an excellent expression of that wonder and a great reminder to grownups enjoy them too.
Read
November 16, 2022Cassie's Thoughts: This story is such a great celebration of life's ordinary things that truly deserve praise like Tuesdays and yellow and coconuts. Children are so wise in their heartfelt appreciation of everyday delights. This book is an excellent expression of that wonder and a great reminder to grownups enjoy them too.
April 22, 2021
... there’s always a reason to have cake.
So true.
So true.
January 18, 2022
Cute book!
January 31, 2022
Adorable!
February 9, 2022
sweet and charming. good for storytime.
February 20, 2022
This is a sweet story that is all about celebrating the little things with your friends.
February 25, 2022
Thanks Becca!
February 25, 2022
Kept my child's rapt attention; it was sweet but lacked flow.
May 22, 2022
An endearing freindship story about remembering to celebrate the small things on ordinary days.
June 14, 2022
Picture book from the library
A lesson in celebrating the little things, and celebrating the people in your life.
A lesson in celebrating the little things, and celebrating the people in your life.
Read
August 26, 2022This is a great title. Sometimes you should have cake for no particular celebration, just to have cake.
November 6, 2022
A book about a toddler making an ordinary day special.
December 19, 2022
Ordinary days are worth celebrating.
July 17, 2023
Cute and whimsical.
July 20, 2023
What I like about this book is that you can eat cake to celebrate anything.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews