Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity
Author: Monica Kulling
Illustrator: Esperanca Melo
Publisher: Tundra
Publication Date: March 12, 2013
I was absolutely delighted by this book. The illustrations are fun, lively and full of movement (and full of interesting detail as well--the dog's ears and bowtie match the little girl's hair and scarf). And the story is so cute! Mister Dash is a clever and loyal dog (dogs made up of five different breeds are the most loyal of all, after all) who helps his owner, Madame Croissant, bake and deliver cupcakes. And he wouldn't mind it so much if it weren't for the awkward saddle bags and goofy baker's hat. Luckily he has help, in the form of Madame Croissant's granddaughter Daphne. Together, can they fulfill Mayor Chester Field's order of 500 cupcakes and deliver them on time?I loved everything about this book. I especially liked that Madame Croissant peppered her speech with French words and phrases, which prompted my daughter Magda and I to try out a little more French ourselves (I keep meaning to brush up on my French!). I liked that Daphne calls her grandmother "Grand-mere" just like Magda and I both do. I liked that the mechanic who fixes the delivery van is female. My only complaint? The author didn't include a recipe for Madame Croissant's salted caramel cupcakes!
Magda's Take:
"I want to know more about the van. My favourite page is the picture where the van breaks down. Why does the mechanic call it a buggy? If the author makes any more books, I hope the van is in it. I want to see more of the van!"
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Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity
Acrylic on gessoed paper
Illustration © Esperança Melo
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