The Country Bake-Off

Two very different mice compete in a baking competition. Who will win?

I really like the message here about doing things in an authentic way. Proud Pazenna is a privileged mouse who thinks that, because she has the best ingredients and equipment, she should be able to whip something together and win the baking contest. Joyful Jazella, on the other hand, uses humble ingredients and pure intentions to bake her cake. Which one turns out better? I'm sure you can guess.

There are a few strange inconsistencies with the illustrations (such as when Pazenna uses what looks like a human-sized oven in her own kitchen and then bakes a cake that nearly touches the ceiling), but I'm not sure if kids will notice. The illustrations are otherwise charming, with some cute details.

Overall, I like this one because of the message. Privilege and pride won't always get you what you want. Hard work and careful attention just might. These two murine characters learn that lesson in an easy-to-understand way.

What a delightful children's book. It's a neat story with cute illustrations and it has what is most important to me in a children's book...it teaches a value. This story happens to teach us "bigger is not always better" or "more is not always important". Wow, huh?

The prose in this book have a rhyming flow making it easier both for children to read or to listen to. While it is 32 pages long, because of the great illustrations and few words on each page, it is fine for a parent to read to a young child or for a 3rd grade reader and up to read. Reading ages always depend on the reading ability of the child but I know all children would like it.

Great story with a singsong like prose. Wonderful book.

Oh mayn this book was a delightful read set in Mouse Country. The book is set around the country bake-off where two seemingly difference mice Joyful Jazella and Proud Pazenna are competing to win. I absolutely enjoyed this read that had an important lesson that you have to learn when you read. I loved this book and recommend it to everyone . The bonus was that it involved cake!!

Mouse Country is hosting a n Country Bake-Off event and all mice are welcome from near and far away. Joyful Jazella, a little mouse with a heart of gold, hears the news and immediately wants to enter. She lives in a tiny hole outside a poor woman's house. Proud Pazenna who lives in a fancy hollow outside a rich man's house heeds the call and is sure she will be the winner. She believes because she is the richest and has the biggest and fanciest kitchen in the country that she is a shoe-in to win... paws down.

Both mice jump right in to create the winning cake. Jazelle's kitchen is teensy-weensy and her ingredients are sparse. She adds two special ingredients that will be missing from her competitor's cake. She keeps Love and Care tucked in her pocket for such an occasion as this. Jazelle sprinkles a little extra of each so the mice judges will taste the best cake ever baked! Can you guess whose cake wins? I know you can.

The illustrations are delightful and enrich the message of the book. Love and Care trumps riches and showmanship. Jazelle bakes with her heart and haughty Pazenna just wants to outdo everyone else and get the first place trophy. I love the life lesson taught and I highly recommend this book.