Close Modal

Just the Right Cake

Illustrated by Emily Balsley
Look inside
Hardcover
$18.99 US
10.38"W x 10.31"H x 0.36"D   | 15 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Feb 07, 2023 | 32 Pages | 978-0-593-11071-3
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD530L | Fountas & Pinnell M
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
From Christina Tosi, the playful creator of the popular bakery Milk Bar, comes this story of a boy finding his comfort and creativity again after his parents' divorce. Original cake recipe included!

For Phil, every day is the perfect day to bake a cake, especially with his Mom and Dad. But after his parents separate, his favorite recipe doesn't taste quite right anymore. Something in missing.
 
Soon, Phil is on a mission to make a cake that fits his new life, incorporating some of his parents' favorite ingredients along with his own. In this comforting and sweet tale about moving forward after a big life change, trying something new is just the right recipe.
"Offering a new recipe for moving forward, Milk Bar creator Tosi centers a child navigating his parents’ divorce in this picture book about finding one’s own bake . . . Via bake-shop-bright colors and round shapes, Balsley’s crisp gouache and ink illustrations amplify the book’s optimistic theme." —Publishers Weekly

"Reinforcing the upbeat tone and positive outlook in this tale of family changes, Balsley’s cartoon illustrations depict a young patissier presenting the very picture of culinary self-confidence as he bustles about two kitchens while his parents look on affectionately and lend an occasional willing ear or hand . . . A foodie’s delight, with a sweet message between the layers." —Kirkus

"Tosi and Balsley’s second book is vibrantly illustrated in gouache and ink and then enhanced digitally; the pictures rendered are just as enticing as all the treats described. Readers are left with the simple but important lesson that while change can be hard, it can lead to new and exciting things . . . A solid purchase for collections wanting to augment their collections with books on divorce, change, family, and finding your story." —School Library Journal
© Milk Bar
Christina Tosi is the two-time James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Milk Bar, with locations in New York City, Toronto, Washington, D.C., Boston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. She was also a judge on Fox's MasterChef Junior series, was featured on the hit Netflix docu-series Chef's Table: Pastry, and hosts the Netflix series Bake Squad. She is the author of Momofuku Milk Bar, Milk Bar Life, All About Cake, Milk Bar: Kids Only, Dessert Can Save the World, and, for children Every Cake Has a Story. View titles by Christina Tosi

Read-Along with the Author | JUST THE RIGHT CAKE | Brightly Storytime

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

From Christina Tosi, the playful creator of the popular bakery Milk Bar, comes this story of a boy finding his comfort and creativity again after his parents' divorce. Original cake recipe included!

For Phil, every day is the perfect day to bake a cake, especially with his Mom and Dad. But after his parents separate, his favorite recipe doesn't taste quite right anymore. Something in missing.
 
Soon, Phil is on a mission to make a cake that fits his new life, incorporating some of his parents' favorite ingredients along with his own. In this comforting and sweet tale about moving forward after a big life change, trying something new is just the right recipe.

Praise

"Offering a new recipe for moving forward, Milk Bar creator Tosi centers a child navigating his parents’ divorce in this picture book about finding one’s own bake . . . Via bake-shop-bright colors and round shapes, Balsley’s crisp gouache and ink illustrations amplify the book’s optimistic theme." —Publishers Weekly

"Reinforcing the upbeat tone and positive outlook in this tale of family changes, Balsley’s cartoon illustrations depict a young patissier presenting the very picture of culinary self-confidence as he bustles about two kitchens while his parents look on affectionately and lend an occasional willing ear or hand . . . A foodie’s delight, with a sweet message between the layers." —Kirkus

"Tosi and Balsley’s second book is vibrantly illustrated in gouache and ink and then enhanced digitally; the pictures rendered are just as enticing as all the treats described. Readers are left with the simple but important lesson that while change can be hard, it can lead to new and exciting things . . . A solid purchase for collections wanting to augment their collections with books on divorce, change, family, and finding your story." —School Library Journal

Author

© Milk Bar
Christina Tosi is the two-time James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Milk Bar, with locations in New York City, Toronto, Washington, D.C., Boston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. She was also a judge on Fox's MasterChef Junior series, was featured on the hit Netflix docu-series Chef's Table: Pastry, and hosts the Netflix series Bake Squad. She is the author of Momofuku Milk Bar, Milk Bar Life, All About Cake, Milk Bar: Kids Only, Dessert Can Save the World, and, for children Every Cake Has a Story. View titles by Christina Tosi

Media

Read-Along with the Author | JUST THE RIGHT CAKE | Brightly Storytime