Whopper Cake [Hardcover]

Karma Wilson (Author), Will Hillenbrand (Author)

Book Description

Today is Grandma's birthday,

and Granddad has an ichin',

to bake a WHOPPER

chocolate cake

and traumatize the kitchen!

Join the madcap frenzy of making the biggest cake in the world! And the biggest...mess!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

On Grandma's birthday, she makes this pronouncement: Now listen up, / don't make a fuss, you hear? / Land sakes! I swear your cakes are / getting bigger every year. But Grandpa has an itchin' . . . to traumatize the kitchen—and a vision too big to be contained by spousal directives, kitchen, pan, or oven. Writing in bouncy verses, the author of Bear Snores On (2003) and others chronicles the ensuing, supersize baking project as Grandpa swaps spoon for oar and blends his batter in a pickup truck. The story isn't as layered as its enormous, sun-baked dessert, but the tall-tale premise provides lots of grist for Hillenbrand's oversize paintings, which capture the messy, experimental energy of a baker gone berserk and cast everything in a decorator's sugary hues. A closing message about cleanup is well placed, especially given the impetus to traumatize the kitchen provided by the appended recipe—for a normal-size chocolate cake, alas. Mattson, Jennifer

About the Author

Karma Wilson's previous picture books include Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, Bear Stays Up for Christmas, and Mortimer's Christmas Manger, all illustrated by Jane Chapman, One Day in the Middle of the Bog, illustrated by Joan Rankin, and Hilda Must Be Dancing and Bear Hugs illustrated by Suzanne Watts. She lives with her family in Fortine, Montana. Karma Wilson's website is at karmawilson.com.

Will Hillenbrand is the acclaimed illustrator of many popular books, including Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra and Kiss the Cow by Phyllis Root. He lives with his family in Terrace Park, Ohio.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1st edition (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689838441
• ISBN-13: 978-0689838446
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 11.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My two-year-old loves it!, October 18, 2008

By 

J. Fendrick (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whopper Cake (Hardcover)

This is one of my two-year-old son's favorite books. We first checked it out from the library, and he wouldn't let us take it back! We later gave it to him as a gift. Highly recommended for youngsters; the cake recipe in the back of the book gives the kids a chance to learn that cakes don't have to come from a box.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, August 13, 2007

By 

A Mom (Sunny AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whopper Cake (Hardcover)

Great illustrations and a fun rhyme combine for another great book from Karma Wilson. I'm buying extra copies to give as gifts, it's the perfect birthday gift!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book, DELICIOUS recipe!, February 19, 2009

By 

Molly Grue "Renaissance Woman" (SF Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whopper Cake (Hardcover)

I borrowed this book from the library anticipating a fun but forgettable read, and was very pleased when the story and illustrations greatly exceeded my expectations. But never mind the story. While other reviewers have enthusiastically described this humorous tall tale, no one else seems to have tried the recipe. I'm here to tell you that IT'S DELICIOUS! The Whopper Cake has become our family's favorite chocolate cake recipe---slathered with thick, fudgy, homemade-from-scratch chocolate frosting, it's the perfect cake for birthday parties and other large, festive gatherings. Best of all, it's so easy to make that a child could do it, with very little help from a grown-up. This book would make a wonderful birthday gift---terrific story, terrific cake recipe. What more could you want?