From Publishers Weekly
This promising if rocky debut lets readers eavesdrop on a class at a world-famous School of Dessertology, where Chef George, an imperious owl instructor, is whipping both egg whites and his hapless anthropomorphized students into shape (What's an ingredient? whispers one student, after the chef unveils a chalkboard with a whirlwind of information for them to absorb). There's a retro-chic sensibility, visual wit and good sense of character in Stein's gray-toned brush-and-ink drawings (a vain poodle is shown weighing herself on a digital scale when George commands, Take the time to measure carefully). But despite these strengths the story falls short. The titular bunny, distinguished by her diligence and rose-hued skin (nearly the only use of color in the book), never emerges as a character worth following. And the story feels more like a series of similar incidents strung together—the common thread being the contrast between the teacher's instructions and the students' incompetence—rather than a truly satisfying narrative arc. Ages 4–8.
(Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1—Several animals sign up at Chef George's School of Dessertology to learn the fine art of making sweets. Kitty is interested in cheesecake, Spoonbill longs for fish cakes, and Poodle is only interested in looking good. Throughout the day, while the other students are playing and creating strange dishes, Bunny studies, listens to the chef, measures, and bakes a fancy cake, which she shares with her teacher and classmates. Everything in the brush and ink spreads and vignettes is black and white except the titular bunny, who, like her cake, is pink. The chef's statements are printed in red ink while the animals' comments, in black ink, look as if they were composed on a typewriter. Eight recipes for desserts are featured on the endpapers. The illustrations and the slight story line have limited appeal and will not hold the attention of children.—
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
