Published: 7th October 2025
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Illustrator: Devin Elle Kurtz
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ – 3.5 Stars
Batter up!
Ember is in charge of the bakery while the baker takes a trip and he’s excited to show what he can do! When an opinionated fairy princess swoops in demanding a cake, he eagerly agrees. So what if he’s only baked bread before? How hard can it be?
The sugar hits the fan when Ember’s first attempt is a complete disaster. He tries again and again, but the royal customer is not happy. Everyone told Ember he was such a good baker, so why can’t he get this right? If he doesn’t figure it out soon, the only thing on the menu will be humble pie.
A sequel to the adorable Bakery Dragon this time we see our little baker be entrusted with the bakery when a special order comes in. I like the way the story explores that of course our little dragon would have no concept of what cake is and how expectations can be different if you don’t know what something is.
I liked the message that despite being a natural at something, the first hurdle you come across doesn’t mean you are bad at everything. The fairy’s kindness in showing the bakery dragon that not being good at something the first go doesn’t mean they have no skills or, more importantly, are incapable of learning.
It’s a great message about trying new things and knowing you can learn something different, even if it isn’t perfect it doesn’t matter.
Once again the illustrations are beautiful and I love Kurtz’s use of colour and full use of the pages. I loved the design on these creatures – the Turnip Fairy is adorable, as is the queen. The whole story feels magical and definitely like you have stepped into a fantasy realm. It works well as a picture book but a small part of me would love a longer story too, as long as they come with those illustrations that is.
You can purchase The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake via the following
Wordery | Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson
Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible
