Where Is the Cake?

T. T. Khing
Abrams Books (2007)
ISBN 9780810917989
Reviewed by Stephanie and Parish (age 3) Rollins for Reader Views (3/07)

“Where Is the Cake?” is written by T. T. Khing.  Khing is a cartoonist.  “Where Is the Cake?” is a picture book.  Typically, this would not be an exciting type of book, but this picture book tells so many stories—all without words.

In “Where Is the Cake?” a cake is stolen by opossums.  On each page, you can see what the thieves do with the cake. 

Also on each page, a baby animal loses his stuffed animal.  Isn’t that ironic?  Anyway, the baby cries as the mother tries to find the toy.  A little piglet falls off a cliff, holding his balloon.  Will he be okay?  What about the balloon?

There is also a slithering snake that hides in a different spot on each page.  When Parish and I were studying this book, we would go “Ahhhh!!!!” and point to the snake.  She thought that was fun.  Parish was really concerned about the balloon.  She has lost balloons often enough to know how upsetting it is for little kids.  She points to the “Mommy and Daddy” that are chasing after the balloon. 

So what happens to the cake?  What happens to the balloon?  What happens to the little boy who lost his toy?  This was a page-turning suspense book for Parish. 

I asked Parish for her opinion on the book, but she informed me that she was too busy to talk to me about it; she kept studying each character.  I guess that says it all.  This is her new favorite. 

Khing has created a genius picture book that says so much without words.  This is brilliant.  Each preschool child will enjoy “Where is the Cake?”  Parish would agree, but she is too busy reading it to say so.

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