Publishers Weekly
08/16/2021
Tosi, a two-time James Beard Award–winning chef and owner of the Milk Bar bakery chain, makes her picture book debut in an uneven narrative that begins in the world of Samesville, where things are always the same. Everything exists in washes of “black and white and gray,” including the vanilla cake with chocolate frosting made by Sammi, the book’s blonde pigtailed protagonist. One day, she wishes that “things were NOT the same,” and inexplicably wakes up into a colorful world that celebrates uniqueness, culminating in a cake-baking party with her new friends. Balsley’s art, rendered in gouache and ink and composited digitally, features dynamic characters of varying abilities, skin tones, and hairstyles alongside bright, cheerful patterns; fans of Milk Bar will appreciate some of the creations woven into the spreads. If slightly treacly, this tale clearly promotes actively seeking out difference and individuality to enliven one’s life. Back matter includes a recipe for Dreamy Strawberry Frosting. Ages 3–5. (Sept.)
School Library Journal
09/01/2021
PreS-Gr 2—Reminiscent of the transformation found in the movie Pleasantville, Milk Bar's dessert chef Tosi's debut picture book features a young white girl with bangs and yellow pigtails named Sammi who loves to bake but is tired of baking vanilla cakes with chocolate frosting. Everything is always the same. Nothing ever changes in Samesville. Then she places a recipe card under her pillow and wishes for something more. The next morning, Samesville is no longer a grayscale world but one full of rich, colorful elements. Armed with a new magical cookbook and a diverse set of friends, Sammi sets out to create something that is anything but ordinary. While the artwork is vibrant, detailed, and charming, the text is more of a cake that fails to rise. Thin on a cohesive plot arc or even a logical narrative, this story delivers little new to the idea of embracing diversity. VERDICT Best suited for reading aloud to younger children, or for those who like to bake, this is not recommended as a first purchase.—Monisha Blair, Glasgow M. S., Alexandria, VA
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-27
A dream of pastries transforms a town.
In the monochromatic town of Samesville, everything is the same: “black and white and gray.” The only cake on offer is vanilla with chocolate frosting. Sammi, the White protagonist, puts her recipe card under her pillow, makes a wish that “things were NOT the same,” and has a dream filled with riotous color and magical confections—and just like that, the town is awash with bright hues and everyone has the ability to create thrilling baked goods. The title page helpfully adds that the author is “of Milk Bar” (but not so helpfully fails to explain that this is a restaurant chain offering inventive desserts). This perhaps explains why this story feels uncomfortably narrowed in on baked goods—not quite like an advertisement but also not quite a story. There are tremendous leaps of faith required: that a wholly undeveloped character would spontaneously break out of all-encompassing conformity and that putting a recipe card under a pillow could have such transformative effects. To be effective, this setting (reminiscent of the film Pleasantville) requires far more worldbuilding than it’s given, meaning that the emotional tenor is similarly muted. The Wizard of Oz–like transition from black-and-white to rainbow is visually striking but can’t make up for the lackluster storytelling. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Whets the appetite for cake rather than reading. (recipe) (Picture book. 4-7)
