Published: 02 November 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars
I’m reluctant to say that I didn’t enjoy this as much as the other books in this series, but it was still a good story. The message of finding your true self and believing in yourself is important. Everyone has their own skills, you may not be good at everything, but there is something out there you are good at if you look hard enough.
It is a long story but the message is obvious so you don’t lose track on the way. John brings all the usual food puns which make the writing playful and brings humour. There is a sense that the narrator (and probably even the author) is staring at the reader and trying to instil in them that there’s time for them to find their way in life. Nothing is set in stone, there are so many things out there and don’t be despondent if you haven’t found anything you are good at yet.
The illustrations are cute and there’s always plenty of things to look at on a page. Oswald has created the little food society with all kinds of sweet treats. The different kinds of desserts and the scenes in the classroom have a range of different food people to study, each with their own unique design.
Overall, it is a nice story about not being too hard on yourself, trying not to compare yourself to others, and never giving up finding what you’re good at. It may seem hard now but it will all work out in the end.
You can purchase The Smart Cookie via the following
QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s
Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson
Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible