ELLA TAKES THE CAKE

The D’Amicos’ extraordinary elephant embarks upon a second adventure full of all the thrills a young elephant can manage. Now settled into their community of Little Village, Ella and her mother spend a busy summer break in their bakery. Too small to pull out hot pastry sheets from the oven or handle pie knives and tired of wielding a broom, Ella is frustrated by her inability to help. However, when her mom needs a cake delivered, Ella rushes to the rescue, offering to bike it over in a cart. In the ensuing adventure, she is reunited with an old nemesis from the first story. This time around, Belinda Blue is less menacing and simply self-absorbed, causing hilarious and ultimately harmless havoc for the determined Ella. Lavishly hued illustrations offer readers an exotic oasis of sapphire seas and warmly inviting red tile–roofed houses. The quaint detailing of the pictures hearkens to an old-world Europe that is both charming and intriguing for readers to explore. (Picture book. 4-8)