The Cake the Wolf and the Witch

By Author / Illustrator

Maudie Smith

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Hachette Children's Group

ISBN

9781444015607

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-07-2015

Synopsis

Max doesn't believe in happy endings. He doesn't even like stories. So when he finds himself whisked away in a giant cake to The Land of Ever After, Max is NOT impressed.

But the people of Ever After are in trouble, and they need Max's help.

Will Max agree to go on a dangerous quest to save their world? And if he doesn't, how will he and his brand new brother and sister ever get home?

A mixed-up and fresh take on the fairy tale, with a sprinkle of Jacqueline Wilson and Liz Kessler, and perfect for fans of Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree.

'Endlessly inventive' - Piers Torday, award-winning author of The Last Wild.

Reviews

I loved this book as soon as I started reading it and it only got better as I followed Max on his quest to rescue Wild. I read its 234 pages in only three sittings (it would have been less if real life hadnt got in the way!) so gripped was I by the confident and funny writing. The plot isnt new, an unlikely and unwilling hero given an unwelcome quest, fairy tale characters appearing in a make believe land, a wicked witch to be defeated before happiness is restored blah, blah BUT and it is a BIG but, despite knowing all that, I LOVED this book. It is told so well and deals lightly and beautifully with so many issues children need to have a prompt for discussing including: dealing with bereavement; families amalgamating and accepting step siblings; living a full life and being the best you can be. I can see this being a great class novel or an absolutely brilliant book to read to your child at bedtime. It certainly kept me enthralled and I shall be recommending it to all 7-9 year olds I know. 192 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Rachel Esling, teacher