We begin this book with applause – clap! clap! clap! – filling the first page. It’s all for an elephant, dressed in a tux, pausing at the top of the stairs with a very special cake.

What’s that noise? Oink! It’s a dizzy pig in swimmers, bumping straight into an elephant holding a cake.

What’s that noise? Now the elephant has taken a tumble and is covered in cake. But wait – what’s that noise? Splat, crash, bash! Two elephants are falling down the stairs, both dripping in cake. More noise follows, and suddenly it’s two elephants and a blue whale.

Ah – look, a pig in a pool. Uh oh … a pig in the pool with a piranha. We can all guess what comes next: chomp! Now it’s a pig in the pool with a whole pack of piranhas.

And so the story builds, growing louder and more chaotic, until we peer over a garden fence to find a wedding in full swing – while our now very full pig lounges nearby on a blow-up donut. Smooch, smooch, kiss, kiss.

We’re ready for cake!

James Foley is such fun and always surprises with his clever twist on stories. His illustrations are bright and funny. This is another clever, playful tale that folds back on itself, revealing the chain of chaos set off by one dizzy pig – and the surprising moment that started it all as one elephant stands at the top of the stairs with a cake to resounding applause.

Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 2+

Read our review of Stellarphant by James Foley here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Foley is a children’s author and illustrator. He makes picture books, comics and middle-grade novels. His books include the ‘Toffle Towers’ series, Total Quack Up, Brobot, Dungzilla, Gastronauts, Chickensaurus, Oh No! and Stellarphant, which was adapted for the stage in 2025. James is an ambassador for Books In Homes and Room to Read Australia.

Visit James Foley’s website here

Follow James Foley on Instagram here

Visit the publisher’s website here.