TOVA'S SWEET SOLUTION

A youngster’s allergy means she must find a new way to enjoy the treats she’s always loved.

A family of bears runs a marvelous bakery. Everyone helps out, including their youngest member, Tova, an experienced taste-tester. But one day, a bite of toffeechip toast makes her tummy ache. The doctor diagnoses her with a honeygrain allergy, so no more sweet treats with that basic ingredient. Tova is devastated. The rest of the family tries to “bakestorm” with alternative ingredients, and though the results don’t hurt Tova’s tummy, they all taste terrible. After the others go to sleep, Tova experiments, but she can’t find a good alternative. Her pet squirrel offers her a pericot, which she gobbles up with no ill effects, and she returns to the kitchen with renewed inspiration. At last, Tova announces she has developed a pericot mash, which she uses to whip up a delectable crisp. Her family celebrates her achievement, and Tova goes to bed, “her heart and tummy full of…LOVE!” With grace and whimsy, Taylor has crafted an utterly sweet tale; the use of nonspecific portmanteau names, like oatssava and milletseed, means that the book will reach an audience with any food allergy. Lise-Anne’s illustrations shine with rich shaded colors, expressive compositions, varied page layouts, and fun typographic stylizations.

Serves up success!