I love this story about a daughter who wants to bake a cake for her mothers birthday with the help of angels. However it is the illustrations by Richard Watson that make this book wonderful. ( )

This book is a favorite of mine. I found it in the doctor's office waiting room and fell in love with the pictures and the story. The narrator and protagonist is a girl who wants to give her mom a good birthday present. Her mother says that she wants a special birthday cake that the little girl's great grandmother made. The narrator must track down this secret recipe in time for her mother's birthday.

Willard tells the story in a conscientious way with perfect timing. While it is a children's book, so one really hopes for a happy ending, Willard adds enough conflict so that the reader hopes that the narrator can succeed but is not sure that she will.

Willard also creates some fun and fascinating characters in this family. This book is a joy to read even as an adult.

The illustrations are gorgeous as well. They were the reason I picked up the book in the first place and kept me hooked. I can't say if I would love this book as much as I do without the illustrations. ( )

This book has BEAUTIFUL illustrations and is a warm, lovely fantasy. I highly recommend it. ( )