Reminiscent of the best of Peter Brown with the charming retro feel of classic Golden Books, A Piece of Cake is a delightful story about generosity, creativity, and improvisation from bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham. Mouse has baked a special treat for Little Bird's birthday! But delivering it to his friend isn't easy—not when everyone he meets along the way offers to trade something for a piece of cake. . . . In A Piece of Cake , LeUyen Pham puts a unique spin on a classic tale. Kids will love the unexpected and hilarious turn the story takes. Its strong picture support; story elements, including setting, character, and plot development; and identification of a problem and solution make this a strong Common Core title.
"Pham tries out a new look for this birthday-themed story—her animal characters would fit right in with J.P. Miller’s The Little Red Hen and other Little Golden Book favorites. While the aesthetic may be proudly retro and the plot trajectory familiar, clever and funny twists subvert expectations every step of the way. The story follows Mouse to Little Bird’s home as he attempts to deliver a homemade birthday cake. Along the way, Mouse meets four animals who want to trade items with him for a slice of cake. Chicken, surrounded by eggs, naturally offers Mouse... a cork. Cow has bottles of milk to spare, but wants to trade... a flyswatter. Pham’s story comes into its own as Mouse and Little Bird return to Mouse’s house and regift each weird item in ingenious ways. Bear needs something to swat away the bees attracted to his honey pots, so Little Bird naturally offers him... the cork, just the thing to trap the bees inside their hive (sorry bees). The value of kindness, quick thinking, and a good attitude shine through." —Publishers Weekly
"Pham’s digitally enhanced cartoon drawings are vibrant and spice up this story with plenty of playfulness. A Piece of Cake is the perfect birthday book with a tasty twist."—Advice from a Caterpillar
