Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Yum-Yummy Birthday Cake

The neighborhood's favorite person is having a birthday in Robin Jones Gunn's Level 2 "I Can Read!" book, Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Yum-Yummy Birthday Cake. Mrs. Rosey Posey is the birthday lady, and she bakes a tremendous cake to share with the neighborhood children. It has six stupendous layers and a caramel apple on top. Soon the children begin arriving, but before they eat cake, the put on a parade for Mrs. Rosey Posey.

Little Sarah wants to ride in the parade, but when she goes to get her bike, she can't resist tasting one of the sprinkles on the caramel apple at the tippy top of the cake. But as she reaches up...SPLAT! goes the cake on the ground. Sarah hides. But soon Mrs. Rosey Posey comes looking for her and Sarah admits what she did.

"Mrs. Rosey Posey looked very sad.
Sarah began to cry. 'I am so sorry.'"
'I know you are. I forgive you,' said Mrs. Rosey Posey.
...'Am I still special to you?'
'Oh yes,' said Mrs. Rosey Posey...Sarah, did you know that every time a person repents, God has a big party in heaven?'
'What does repent mean?' asked Sarah.
'Repent means saying you're sorry and meaning it. This makes God happy.'"

Then Mrs. Rosey Posey admits that eating cake with her hands makes her happy - so they all set to it. Sarah asks, "Will you always be my friend, even if you don't like what I do?" "Yes," answers Mrs. Rosey Posey, "even then."

What I Like: Christina Schofield's illustrations are charming. Mrs. Rosey Posey couldn't look friendlier, and the children all have a certain sweet whimsy about them. My kids loved reading about the cake's many wonderful layers, and definitely could relate to Sarah's temptation - and guilt. I love that Sarah admits her mistake and that Mrs. Rosey Posey instantly forgives her; this conversation sets a great model. I also like how the author then brings in the more important topic of God's grace.

What I Dislike: I am uncomfortable with the conclusion of this book. In real life, nobody remains friends with you when they don't like what you do. Real friends forgive our mistakes, and perhaps this is what the author meant, but what she wrote makes it sound like you can behave any old way and your friends will remain your friends.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: As a read-to book, 4 to 7 or so. As a book your child can read him- or herself, probably 7 to 8.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2008; ISBN: 978-0310715795; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

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