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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
What happens when someone is kind to adults but mean to kids? In Sticky Hands and the Wibbly Wobbly Whopper Cake by Gary Trew, the children of Hallyburton know exactly what kind of pastry chef Dominic Crumble really is. While the grown-ups admire his cake-making skills, the kids call him "Sticky Hands" because of the messy tricks he plays on them. Then three siblings, Jack, Micah, and Jamie Green, move in with their grandparents, Gammy and Deeds, along with their dog Onslow and their talkative parrot, Limey. The trio soon crosses paths with the grumpy baker. What follows is a hilarious, sticky adventure full of silly rhymes and surprises. The book ends with some extra activities. Included are a recipe, coloring pages, an overview of the inspiration for the Sticky Hands stories, and much more, giving readers even more to enjoy.
Even though it is written for children, I found myself laughing out loud more than once at Sticky Hands and the Wibbly Wobbly Whopper Cake by Gary Trew. It made me think of a famous quote from Willy Wonka, "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” So this book really is perfect not only for kids but for adults, too. I think the best part is the spirit the children and the grandmother had. The siblings stood up for themselves rather than letting someone else bully them, which is so important. The writing seemed almost lyrical. With its playful rhymes, colorful comparisons, and rhythm, young learners would love hearing this story read aloud. As a teacher, I appreciate all the extras included at the end. The discussion questions could be used to talk to students about kindness, fairness, and speaking up for others. The Word Search and Join the Dots pages are great, quiet-time activities. The illustrations by Bella Foster and Gary Trew are bright and expressive. Their bold colors immediately caught my eye and had me taking a closer look at each page. Anyone looking for a humorous tale with fun characters, silly adventures, and talking animals will want to pick this one up. The moral of the story is: Kindness and courage can overcome bullying. This is the kind of book that deserves a place in homes, schools, and library collections.
