Jacqueline Ogburn: Bake Shop Ghost

By JULIETTE ROSSANT It's tricky reading a ghost story to a young child. They have to be old enough to know something good will come out of being temporarily scared. The good in Jacqueline K. Ogburn's The Bake Shop Ghost (Houghton Mifflin 2008) is, of course, winning over the ghost with a cake, and not just any cake, but a birthday cake. And the proof is at the end of the story you'll find a recipe for Ghost-Pleasing Chocolate Cake and Easy Frosting. So, read the last page first, and take the shiver out of the spine of your young listener and then charge into this fun story. Because, the truth is, good food does appease more than hunger and when we make and serve good food, we feel pride and bring joy to those who eat our food. It is joy that the baker Annie brings to the ghost who once owned the bakeshop: "Make me a cake so rich and so sweet, it will fill me up and bring tears to my eyes. A cake like one I might have bakes, but that no one ever made for me." "Then you'll leave me to my work–no more pranks?" said Annie. "The kitchen will be yours," Cora Lee agreed. "Piece of cake," Annie said. Of course it's not a piece of cake, but that is the fun of the story…and a long the way, you'll learn the names of plenty of cakes and start getting hungry for a slice. Previous articles: [Childrens Cookbook Reviews - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging --> back to Super Chef