Essentially presenting a how to guide of rude behaviour, the main character shows poor manners to her party guests, is disrespectful to her boring parents, and gives exquisite examples of snatching, the likes of which can be found in most school yards, playgroups, and in fact my very own living room on pretty much a daily basis.
Combine this with the fact that all the characters are prettily decorated cakes, illustrated in lovely soft pastel colours, sees this book enchant its way into my heart, brushing my funny bone as it passes. I didn't think I could love it any more than I already did, but then Rude Cakes took quite an unexpected (but most excellent) turn.
When a Giant Cyclops snatches the Rude Cake from her bed one night, she is stunned to learn the value of manners, for you see Giant Cyclopses really do have the most beautiful manners.
Take care to enjoy the thought and speech bubbles on each page as they just add even more delightfully sassy humour to the reading experience, while also allowing for numerous silly voices to be used. Teaching manners without appearing at all didactic, I could barely contain my giggles and snorts of laughter as I read Rude Cakes to my own two mostly-not-rude-but-sometimes-rude children. When my husband walked through the door, I may have then insisted on him reading it to them as well. But don't worry, I said 'Please'. It is very much one of those books that everyone will enjoy.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to look up who this Rowboat Watkins chap is to find out if that is his real name and any other books he may have written. Enjoy.
Title: Rude Cakes
Author/Illustrator: Rowboat Watkins
Publisher: Chronicle Books, $27.95
Publication Date: 2 June 2015
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781452138510
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
