Clever Cakes contains two very short stories that are comical and fun to read.

In our first story, also titled ‘Clever Cakes’, we meet Masha, a young girl who lives with her grandma at the edge of a wood. Masha loves to play with her friends in the wood and is often warned by her granny not to go too far for fear of bad things happening. Then one day a very bad thing did happen, and Masha must gather all her cunning to outsmart the situation.

Our second story, ‘A Great Golden Belly-Button’, introduces us to a very bored and desultory King who seems to have little purpose in life but to sit on his throne and be entertained by his subjects. Unfortunately, he finds the efforts of such people as the Ding-a-ling Brothers, Donk the Jester and Wizzo the Wizard to entertain him so boring he must look to another form of entertainment. Along with his servant Bradstock he organises a competition and throws out a challenge to all in his kingdom. Hilarious things follow!

Michael Rosen’s Clever Cakes is a delightful little book that will entertain the reader with a few chuckles along the way. The amusing stories have the flavour of traditional fairytales but with a modern twist. Ashley King’s coloured illustrations light-heartedly compliment the stories. With only a small amount of text on each page this book should also prove engaging for challenged readers.

Reviewed by Cathy d’Apice
Age Guide 7+