This is my favourite book of the year I think. The illustrations are hilarious, the little linguistic flourishes are great (like easy, peasy, squeasy), and the ending is perfect.

Marigold has the best facial expressions:


( )

A baker and a perfectionist, one who liked everything to be in its correct place, and every event to occur in the proper order, Marigold the marmalade cat had designated Mondays as baking day. But one week, sequestered in his kitchen, our feline hero discovered that an ever-growing assortment of birds was invading his domain, causing quite a mess. What was a cake-loving cat to do...?

A picture-book debut for author/illustrator Mike Malbrough, Marigold Bakes a Cake features an engaging story, joined to expressive, amusing artwork. With all of Marigold's many outraged exclamations, as the birds keep intruding on his peaceful alone time, I can imagine this one making quite an entertaining read-aloud selection at story-time. Recommended to all young bakers and cat-lovers, and to anyone looking for children's stories about being a perfectionist in a messy world. ( )

I thought this was hilarious, but appealing to my somewhat quirky/dark sense of humor may not be the best thing for a picture book....

Marigold, a very precise and perfectionist marmalade cat, is preparing for his weekly baking. Marigold is going to make the most perfect cake ever...when birds start appearing. Marigold tries getting rid of them, but nothing works and he ends up with a giant mess! After taking a walk to calm down, he discovers that the birds just really want to bake...

[SPOILER]

Unfortunately, they're no good at it! Turns out that some things just aren't for birds, as Marigold discovers in the last spread where, rolling pin waving and fangs out, he chases the birds out of his kitchen.

Malbrough is originally a teacher, artist, and has experience in graphic design which definitely shows in his debut picture book. The comic timing is just right and Marigold's expressions are some of the funniest parts of the book. The illustrations, including birds in hats, are lush and colorful and the brisk rhymes add a touch of alliterative humor.

The ending made me laugh uncontrollably - it certainly isn't the typical "let's all be friends together" ending of a picture book. This one will definitely appeal to older kids with a sense of humor and those who enjoy chaos.

Verdict: An additional purchase, but a fun one!

ISBN: 9781524737382; Published 2017 by Philomel; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library