Cupcake was pleased to be a cupcake, until all his fancier brothers and sisters get chosen first. A plain candle comes to console him - all his brothers and sisters are fancier too - and suggests all kinds of ridiculous toppings for Cupcake...when of course, Candle himself would do!

See also: Carrot and Pea, I Will Chomp You, Stick and Stone ( )

Cupcake is feeling great about himself when he realizes that through the eyes of others he is quite plain, and therefore undesirable. Cupcake makes a friend who suggests all sorts of improvements cupcake could make to himself, each one more outrageous than the next. Cupcake and his friend Candle suggest the reader infer that the recommended additions are superfluous, for these two are without need for embellishments. This is a story about learning to accept oneself and not get caught up in the idea of envying others’ traits.

I love this story, for while it seems very simple, it packs a powerful message for us all to accept that which we have and be happy for it. The story is filled with playful remarks and hosts elements of postmodernism in that there are jokes made about on the characters behave which the reader is aware of, but the characters themselves are not; the story rejects the notion that we must dogmatically accept the commercialism others may foist upon us. Readers will laugh aloud at the simple twists in the text.

This books is useful for making self-to-world connections, recognizing rationality, and complacency. Teachers may also use this book to help students realize their feelings and emotions, and gain self acceptance. There are possibilities for extensions of art, cooking, and decorating, and of course, humor. ( )

Great for voice, knowing when someone is talking. Good for expression and puntuation

Summary: This story is based on friendship, and what one candle will do for their friend the cupcake in order to make them feel special. Together, the candle attempts to make the cupcake a more desirable object in order to be selected, but the two experience some stinky and smelly situations!

Personal Reaction: This book was beautifully illustrated and conveys the true meaning of friendship. I think the struggle the candle goes through conveys self sacrifice in putting others needs before your own.

Classroom extensions: I think it would be great for students to decorate their own cupcakes and use different candies to make them more appealing to them. I think students could also use construction paper and make cupcakes just like this one, except decorate them with ribbon and glitter. I think either would be a fun activity! ( )

This is a great book to connect the message to readers that we should not wish to change ourselves to be something else, but rather we are great and unique as is. This is a great book to exemplify how great each and every individual is.