Customer Reviews

Dessert First

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Cute story about an 8 year old third grader who (1) is inspired by her teacher, Mrs. Howdy Doody, a free spirit who wears mis-matched socks and encourages the students to march to their own drummer; (2) marching to her own drummer, convinces her restaurateur parents to allow her to eat dessert first; (3) eats all of the special double decker bars her mother made for a special occasion; and (4) "apologizes" for eating the double decker bars by giving up dessert for two weeks, and in the process (5) raises $42 to support Mrs. Howdy Doody's fund drive to build a tree house at school.

I didn't find any of the characters or the story particularly compelling; it seemed to go in many directions at once and in the process, lack a unifying theme. I'm not sure most kids would relate to all of the fondue references. The illustrations were cute, reminiscent of Eloise but not quite as spirited. Dessert has an arch-nemesis, Amy D.; it is not clear what purpose she serves in the book or why Amy and Dessert are so mean to each other, as it doesn`t seem to relate to the rest of the story.

The advance proof copy sent for review is small in size -- maybe 5" x 7" and printed on poor quality, newsprint style paper. I don't know whether the final publication will be different -- but check the size. Also, there were relatively few illustrations for a children's book.

Overall, this was sweet but not a must-read. Third grade girls might find it entertaining, but I doubt it would appeal to a very broad audience.

First of all, I love that the main character is called Dessert. Secondly, I love that her teacher's name is Mrs. Howdy Doody and that she puts on white snowball slippers in the classroom. That alone is enough for me to be delighted by this book, but the interactions that Dessert has with her siblings and the adults around her are delightful.

Mrs. Howdy Doody has introduced a class project: each student must give up something they love for 2 weeks and take pledges so that they can have a tree house at the end of the collection. Dessert is the last in her class to figure out what she wants to give up, and even then she's tricked into it, but she keeps her word and finds out a new way to look at life. Following Dessert through some troubles at home and school really help the reader identify with her. Besides, how bad can it be that she's convinced her family to eat dessert first? (And the process she uses to do this will drive parents insane, but you have to admit, she's pretty brilliant!).

Notes on the Cover:
Dessert with a large (real) hot-fudge sundae on the cover in a white circle, surrounded by red and tied with a red and white bow. I love that it looks like a box, as a box of desserts has a prominent place in this story!

Just as a note, this book will make you hungry!
The descriptions of all things dessert, but especially chocolate, are so spot on as to make your mouth water.
I loved the quirkiness of the main character and the illustrations fit in perfectly with that.
Hoping there will be more 'Dessert' stories to come.

Both my nieces (ages 11 & 7) and I loved this book!
The character Dessert Schneider is both original and believable;
behaving in ways that children often do.
Yes, it ends happily and the character learns the lessons she's supposed to, but the author does it in a way which never talks down to the kids. I think thats probably why my nieces enjoyed it as much as they did!

With the name Dessert Schneider, Dessert could truly say that the chocolate was "calling her name." Dessert First is a great young reader's book that teaches manners, patience, savings, and other virtues. It's a fun story about a young girl who, with the help of her teacher and parents learns that those virtues are good for her and her family.

Dessert is a young girl who is trying to walk to her own drummer while being at an age where you are told what to do and when to do it. She decides to champion the idea of eating dessert first in her family. Her family, a wild bunch that own a Fondue restaurant, add a lot of humor and warmth to the story. Her teacher, Mrs. Howdy Doody, is the inspiration for the campaign to get dessert served first. She is an odd lovable lady who marches around the classroom in her puffy slippers. Later in the story there is the Doody Drive, where students pledge to give up something they love for a period of time to raise money to build a giant tree house at school. Dessert gets tricked into giving up desserts by her nemesis Amy D. She struggles with her desires to eat desserts and her desire to follow her word. Along the way is the "Double D" disaster and cover up that leads to a lesson of showing you are sorry, and of forgiveness.

The book is quirky and fun. The illustrations are original. It was an enjoyable read. Dessert is sassy and strong headed and also lovable and charming. I am sure I have not done it justice.

I read this aloud with my five-year-old son.

When Dessert's (yes, that's her name) third-grade teacher Mrs. Howdy Doody challenges her students to march to the beat of their own drummers, Dessert decides to insist on being served dessert first before her dinner each night.

This is a cute early chapter book. Her parents own a restaurant, so there's lots of vivid (yummy) food writing. One objection I have (easily remedied when reading aloud) is that she uses words like "crud" and "darn." Not a huge deal, but it's not entirely necessary, is it?

My son loves the silliness (the teacher's name is Mrs. Howdy Doody) and the plotline. He also loved that the cover features "real ice cream" (a real picture is part of the otherwise cartoon-drawing).

Dessert is mischievous but not entirely bratty, which I like. I'd say it reads more like Ramona than Junie B.

Dessert first is the whimsical first person story of "Dessert Schneider", a precocious third grader. The story begins with her first day of school and continues through the trials and tribulations of third grade life, family dynamics (Dessert has a four year old sister going through a phase, and two younger brothers nicknamed "Beasties). The settings vary form the family restaurant, home, and school. The writing is funny, and gives insight into the mind of a third grader (great for parents!), but is also very entertaining for kids. My daughter is in second grade and loved the book, though note that as an advanced reader this one might not be suitable for many second grade readers. The illustrations are pretty basic and have an old-fashioned feel to them - I do not think that is bad at all...

I read this book to my 8 and 6 year old daughters (and their 4 year old brother listened in) and they loved it. Dessert is a strong-willed, mischievous girl that learns a few lessons throughout the story. They are presented in a very humorous way and the book manages to get across some good lessons without being too "preachy". I think my girls came away with the sense that a) it's OK to march to the beat of your own drummer; b) but you have too know when enough is enough; c) you can sacrifice for a greater good and d) different flavors of fondue sure sound good!

All in all, a very lively read with good characters that kept the kids entertained. I am sure my 8 year old could have read this on her own, but it was much more fun as a read aloud book.

My daughter enjoyed this book. She was able to read it quite quickly. Dessert was a fun and quirky character who learns a moral lesson with the help of her family and teacher. As a mother I did not find anything objectionable at all in this book. We would both recommend it.