The High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Food Cake

Not sure how this got on my list. It best fits on Christian/ Inspirational shelves.
However, I'm very glad I read it, because it's actually much more than that.

Remembering great-grandmother, honoring the self-centered aunt and uncle, seeing the hidden bear in the coffee stain on the tablecloth, a puzzle, a piano, and a bit of magic (or is it a miracle?)... I agree with my library that put '4th grade' on the sticker on this book. Preschoolers with long attention spans might like it, but I think it takes a bit more maturity to fully appreciate it. The art is wonderful, fresh and creative, and both lovely and fun.

(The people who think the art is dated must not like Van Gogh or Warhol or Da Vinci either. I mean, come on, what does 'dated' show more mean?) show less

This book is a favorite of mine. I found it in the doctor's office waiting room and fell in love with the pictures and the story. The narrator and protagonist is a girl who wants to give her mom a good birthday present. Her mother says that she wants a special birthday cake that the little girl's great grandmother made. The narrator must track down this secret recipe in time for her mother's birthday.

Willard tells the story in a conscientious way with perfect timing. While it is a children's book, so one really hopes for a happy ending, Willard adds enough conflict so that the reader hopes that the narrator can succeed but is not sure that she will.

Willard also creates some fun and fascinating characters in this family. This book is a show more joy to read even as an adult.

The illustrations are gorgeous as well. They were the reason I picked up the book in the first place and kept me hooked. I can't say if I would love this book as much as I do without the illustrations. show less

I love this story about a daughter who wants to bake a cake for her mothers birthday with the help of angels. However it is the illustrations by Richard Watson that make this book wonderful.

This book has BEAUTIFUL illustrations and is a warm, lovely fantasy. I highly recommend it.