The Tiny Baker

The tiny bumblebee baker presides over an elegant tea room, opening on time and serving dainty treats to her elegantly adorned clientele, until, in an instant, her “dotty troupe” of ladybug pastry chefs swarms off, and she is left with a kitchen in absolute disarray. Overwhelmed by the disaster and “flummoxed” about how to fix everything, a “call to action” from a cricket summons the ants to “do what ants do very best . . . work together without rest.” In the blink of an eye, the tiny baker’s kitchen is transformed to its pristine condition once again, and she realizes that the ants are not just her customers—they are also her true friends. Excellent rhyming, impressively charming word choice, and a sweet message make this an absolutely delightful read aloud. Jay’s signature illustration style perfectly matches the tone of the story, seamlessly pairing the bug realm with costuming (and manners) reminiscent of Austen for a dainty world that is unique and endearing.