Can We Lick the Spoon Now?

Carole Goess (author)

Tamsin Ainslie (illustrator)

Working Title Press: Australia: 2010

ISBN: 9781921504167

Genres: humour, picture book

Baking a cake can be great fun - especially if you get to lick the spoon! Three young children and an enthusiastic dog make a delicious chocolate cake - what are they going to do while they wait for it to be ready to eat?

A simple, rhythmic narrative, Can We Lick the Spoon explores children's enthusiasm and impatience - and the challenge of keeping them busy and active. Ainslie's illustrations carry the story well beyond the text, capturing the messy chaos of young helpers as well as their joy in creation and boundless energy. The figure of the caregiver is cleverly androgenous, looking beyond role stereotypes. This is a delightful book (complete with cake recipe) that will entertain readers of all ages and have them looking for their caketins and getting ready to bake. (But watch out for that dog!)