The Great Pancake Escape

by Paul Many, Scott Goto (Illustrator)

When Dad's pancakes magically take flight, it is up to his three children to round up their breakfast. Hot on the trail, the magician's kids pursue the pancakes down alleyways, across town, and through the park. Tracking down a bunch of renegade pancakes is tougher than it seems as the battered bunch blend into the background. But nothing will stop our hungry heroes from chasing down a hot meal. Illustrated with Scott Goto's renowned larger-than-life paintings, this tale of adventure is the perfect concoction to entice young readers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Paul Many is both a teacher and writer who lives with his family in Toledo, OH.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for National Pancake Day Program 9/26/2018 - I had 40 people in attendance. I sang this song to the tune of Oh, Susannah and had the kids sing the chorus (found at the back of the book) as we turned each page. I actually forgot while turning one page and they reminded me that we needed to sing, haha!

Chorus: Pancake, pancake! Oh, don't you fly from me. For I haven't had my breakfast and my stomach is empty!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be an especially fun book to read around Halloween!

[zunggg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slapdash rhyming lets down an otherwise entertaining, dotty-eyed romp.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about pancakes that go wild and three children have to chase them down and try to stop them. The story line is good, and the setting takes place all over the town as the children chase the pancakes. The illustrations are big and bold. They also take up the two pages and are very colorful. This story has adventure to attract the readers.

I gave this book a rating of four stars because I liked it and I feel like most children would also enjoy the book. I also liked the adventure part of the story and how it has rhyming words throughout. I feel like this would be a good story to use when going over rhyming words with students.

[Cherina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: A dad makes pancakes for his children using a magic cookbook. The pancakes take one a life of their own and roll out the door. The children run after the pancakes to catch them. They don't capture the hotcakes but they do have quite an adventure. When the children return home, the dad reverses the pancake spell. The family decides to have frozen waffles for breakfast.

Uses: Read-aloud for primary grades, independent reading for late-early or transitional readers, recommend to students who find entertainment in rhymes, just a fun book that children would enjoy reading (to themselves and others)

Literary Devices: imagery, rhymes, onomatopoeia

Social issues:

Other: The fictional picture book does reference magic so just be careful who you recommend it to. Some of the illustrations mildly sinister.

[Ryan Treaster · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book deals with the idea of magic. When the father's pancakes magically take flight, nothing stops the children from getting to their breakfast. This could be a good book for children to read in their free time. Does not teach too much but is a fun book to read in ways.

Reading Level- Early
Curricular Uses- Read Aloud or Independent
Social issues- None ( shows the idea of using magic )

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun tale of magic and madness centered around pancakes, this is a silly book to read aloud. It's reminiscent of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, especially when syrup rains from the sky. And we love the nods to Hawaii; they are subtle (like the fact that the bus system here in Honolulu is known as "The Bus" and a common milk brand is "Foremost"), and the locale is not a factor in the story. The rhyming narrative and the reworked verse for "Oh Susanna" are fun to read aloud.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me really hungry while reading, especially since I LOVE LOVE LOVE pancakes. I would maybe read this book before breakfast comes or while we are waiting for the rest of the children to arrive. I would also make sure that they are cooking pancakes that particular day and maybe make a baking recipe for the pancakes.

[Nick Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book. I did this book for my read aloud. During one of my practicum observations the teacher I was observing shared this with her students. The class loved it. Probably the best illustrations.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and engaging book! I had this story read aloud to me during my tradebooks class and I could not stop smiling. This book captures the imagination and fantasy side of literature. I was lost in the illustrations! I will always keep a copy of this on my shelves for one of those rainy days!

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A magician accidentally reads from the wrong book when whipping up a batch of pancakes. The pancakes make a run for it and lead the magician's children on a merry chase.

Illustrations are okay.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like these kinds of books - like when food runs away.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like the illustrations and the language didn't flow well when reading it silently, I can't imagine attempting to read it aloud.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for use as a companion book to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or Tuesday.