Today is National Biscuit Day and while my children enjoy a very special BicNic I thought I would share our favourite biscuit based story, The Smart Cookie.
During the early days of Gingerbread school The Smart Cookie did not get the best grades. They never raised their hand and did not feel comfortable speaking up or sharing their ideas. They often got muddled and found that in some lessons they had no idea what was happening.
Every night they headed back to the bakery on Sweet Street and stayed awake, worried, in their cookie jar.
But one day their teacher, Ms. Biscotti, set a homework challenge that changed everything. The class were asked to each create something completely original. The cookie tried all kinds of different things before finally deciding to write a poem. A poem based on their feelings titled, “My Crumby Days.”
As the children share their creations they all love seeing what others have done. They realise that everyone is good at different things. The Smart Cookie shares their poem and as they read and see their classmates respond they feel themselves becoming more confident and animated. At this point in the story the children and I are always grinning and often burst into a round of applause.
This is such a wonderful story. It shows us all that we can be smart in many different ways. We won’t know the answer to every question, we will not be great at everything, we will not always be top or come first and that is okay. All children need and deserve “a chance to try all kinds of things, to find out who you are and what you like to do.”
This is a fun, pun filled story with glorious illustrations sprinkled with delicious details that add depth and humour. The Smart Cookie is a super cute character that my children were completely enchanted by. The Smart Cookie reminds me of Esther who can be unsure in a group learning setting, who lacks confidence and can be a worrier, but when she has a chance to show something that she is good at or passionate about she shines.
The Smart Cookie also reminds me of Esther in that she works so hard but often gets in a muddle or struggles to keep up with the pace of other children her age. The story does not mention dyslexia but I immediately wondered from the descriptions as the story unfolds whether the cookie is dyslexic, just like Esther. This book would be the perfect treat for young children who need reassurance and a little help to find their icing and their sprinkles!
The Smart Cookie would sit brilliantly alongside Aaron Slater Illustrator and All The Ways To Be Smart. It is a celebration of difference, of discovering your learning style, finding your strengths and the courage to share them. It is a story about being you and always trying your best. It is the tale of The Smart Cookie showing readers young and old that they too are ALL smart cookies in their own unique way.
This is one of our favourites too.