"Sand cake, sun cake, sprinkle-topped-with-rocks cake. Will you eat what I baked?" --Sand Cakes by Kallie George

A Summary of Sand Cakes

Kallie George's picture book Sand Cakes tells the story of a creative young baker who turns sand into tasty treats. She makes cakes and pies, tarts and buns--a whole shop full of delicious snacks all made from sand. Her only problem is that no one wants to try her sandy sweets. Everyone she asks, human, crab, or seagull, all turn away without the smallest sample of her work. Only when the tide comes in does the young girl find the perfect customer to gobble up her cakes.

About the Book

Sand Cakes perfectly captures children's inventiveness, as well as their desire to share what they make. The story alternates between lyrical rhymes describing the goodies the girl creates, and the short, often blunt responses to her offer to share her treats. The rhythm of the writing makes the narrative fun to read aloud, while also highlighting the joy of creating something. In each section where we see the girl designing her cakes, the words and illustrations show all the hard work she puts into her sand confections.

When she asks the people and animals around her to taste her sand cakes and pies, everyone says no. We see her disappointment and frustration that no one wants to try her treats. However, the girl doesn't give up. She keeps coming up with new ideas and making more creations, until the beach is covered with a sandcastle shop full of beachy desserts.

Children who read this story will find a relatable main character. Her joy and imagination reflects the way so many kids get lost in the game of turning nature into food. Her perseverance in making her cakes offers encouragement to keep trying new things, even if those around you don't respond as you hope. In the end, the girl finds the perfect friend to enjoy all that she made. In turning the ocean waves into a customer that swallows up the girl's shop of treats, George shows the value of having someone to appreciate what you make. The girl's creations weren't meant to last forever; they were meant to be enjoyed.

Sand Cakes is a wonderful picture book for the summertime, especially for those going on beach vacations.

Karley Conklin

Karley Conklin is a librarian by day, a writer by night, and a bookworm 24/7. For more of her writing, visit litwyrm.com