PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Tough Cookie by Edward Hemingway
ABOUT THE BOOK
When a cookie discovers he does NOT taste delicious, he has to find a new identity in this clever picture book twist on a holiday classic.
Once upon a time, while Fox was visiting the land of Holiday Treats, a little cookie—still warm from the bakery oven—burst out the front door looking sweet and ready to be devoured. But, as it turns out, Cookie is not as fast as he thinks and when Fox finally catches him, they’re both in for a big surprise: Sugar Cookie does not taste delicious—and he’s certainly not fit to be eaten. What’s an unsavory cookie to do? Is there another option for this not-so-sweet treat?
This inventive story celebrates the joy of being accepted for who we are.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR
Edward Hemingway is the creator of Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus, Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship, and Bump in the Night, as well as the illustrator of My Miserable Life by F.L. Block. He has written features in GQ magazine and comics for Nickelodeon Magazine, and his artwork has been published in The New York Times.
The youngest grandson of Ernest Hemingway, he lives in Montana. To
learn more, and for some fun downloadable activities, visit his website:edwardhemingway.com.
Twitter: @EdwardHemingway
Instagram: @edwardhemingway
OTHER REVIEWS
“The funny identity comedy is sprinkled with cookie puns (“Everything I do is half-baked!”) and cinematic compositions.” —Horn Book
“Hemingway (Field Guide to the Grumpasaurus) bakes up a clever case of mistaken identity in this holiday treat–inspired tale.”—Publishers Weekly
“This sweet and silly story is about friendship and making the best of what you’ve got.”—Kirkus Reviews
MY REVIEW
This delightful twist on the Gingerbread Man tale is as yummy as it's main character is not. When Sugar Cookie Man takes off down the street bragging about his speed and sweetness, Fox can't resist the challenge. After catching the cookie and tasting him, Fox spits him out. He tastes terrible and he isn't all that fast. Cookie is heart-broken. What is he good for then? Fox kindly decides to help him out by taking him to the spa to be sweetened up and when that doesn't work, entering him in a running contest. But Cookie doesn't seem to fit anywhere. The delicious tale about finding one's place in the world is delivered with just the right amount of sweetness, along with some seriously cute illustrations. The answer to Cookie's dilemma is right there in the illustrations, but I still didn't catch it until the climax. A refreshingly new book that would make a great holiday read-a-loud.
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