Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work

by Bambi Edlund

In this hilarious story about a couple of clever mice on a quest for a tasty treat, readers get a “paws-on” introduction to six simple machines.

Ginger and Mac are pros at snatching up delicious tidbits and bringing them back to their cozy mousehole to eat. Today, though, their mission is complicated. Their target is an especially aromatic vanilla cupcake with pink buttercream frosting. Only, it’s (a) too big for them to carry, (b) on a high counter within leaping distance of both the resident cat and dog and (c) under a heavy glass cake dome. Luckily, these mice love nothing more than solving a challenging problem (except maybe eating buttercream frosting!). Ginger is sure they can use simple machines to get the job done. But is she right?

Bambi Edlund has created a fun way to teach children about the basic concepts of mechanical physics. Ginger and Mac’s adventure story is told in panels with dialogue boxes, while the science behind how simple machines work is explained throughout the story in fully illustrated sections that never interrupt the flow of the narrative. The result is a highly entertaining book that gives readers a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the six simple machines - inclined plane, lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, and wedge -  and how they make life easier. It’s sure to inspire readers to search for examples of simple machines that exist all around them. With loads of hands-on activities that can be done at home or in the classroom, this is an excellent choice for teaching elementary physics and engineering.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction

44 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for this science lesson disguised as a cupcake caper!

This was a great introduction to simple machines! There were easily reproducible “make it yourself” pages, a cute story, and lots of information about simple and complex machines.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children’s book that explains several basic physics/science/mechanic terms using the goal of two mice wanting to move a cupcake (that is on their humans counter) to their mouse home. The simple machines that are explained are the 1) inclined plane, 2) lever, 3) pulley, 4) wheel & axle, 5) screw and 6) wedge. Along the way there are easy experiments to demonstrate the mechanics that were described.

In reading Operation Cupcake it took me back to the basics of some of my high school and college courses. (Of course the equations were removed, but the concepts are solid.)

I really liked Operation Cupcake. I had requested (and been granted) access to read Operation Cupcake a while ago. (My young niece and nephew were visiting and I had hoped that there would have been time to read it with them; but alas there wasn’t quite enough time. While they were visiting I noticed how much my nephew enjoys non-fiction, even at age 4. I’m planning to purchase Operation Cupcake for him. I think he would enjoy it.)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review Operation Cupcake in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to publisher Kids Can Press for approving my NetGalley advance read copy request. And to author/illustrator Bambi Edlund … nicely done completing Operation Cupcake!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

This picture book teaches kids about simple machines, using a story about mice as the framing device to illustrate basic concepts about physics. The mice want to eat a cupcake, but they have to get up onto the humans' kitchen counter, lift the heavy dome off the cake stand, and figure out a way to transport the cupcake back down to the floor to take it home. This book follows each stage of the process, showing how the mice use simple machines like pulleys and levers to solve each problem that arises. Nonfiction sidebars explain how each process works.

This is a creative way to introduce kids to concepts from physics, and the story-driven aspect will appeal to kids who might otherwise glaze over a STEM lesson. However, even though this is really cute, I don't like the fact that the story revolves around stealing. Of course, the characters are mice, but because they have human-like characteristics in the story, their actions look like deliberate thievery. If I were using this with kids, I would make it a teaching opportunity about not taking things that don't belong to them.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were sent this book from Kids Can Press when we won a giveaway. My daughter picked this book out and has been asking to read it ever since it showed up in the mail box. We finally got round to reading it and it was so cute. It was set up almost like a graphic novel because there was a story going on about the two mice Gingersnap and Macaroon, trying to get the cupcake to their mouse hole past the cat and dog when the family is out. Then there’s pictures taking about simple machines similar to the ones they would be using to get the cupcake and then there’s picture of everyday machines similar to the ones they are using and lastly there’s even instructions on how to make those machines ex: a pulley. We read this as a bedtime book so we didn’t make any of the projects but I think that is a super cool addition to the book, you have these activities to pull the kids in and show them in real life what those machines do. My daughter said her favourite part was when they got the cupcake lol.
We would recommend this book.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty successful young physics book, showing the use of six simple machines, via the story of two enterprising mice determined to snaffle a new cupcake from the kitchen counter in the house they live in. The blend of sciencey bits and animal comic is done surprisingly well, the information is detailed enough and yet never loses one with its simple terms, and I would call it a pleasurable lesson. The use of an unlikely inclined plane is the start of their drama, as they use a pulley system (there's a glass cloche in the way), wheels, wedges and levers in their endeavours. And throughout the examples of these simple machines are well-chosen for us to relate to, so this should make for an accessible entry to the school science shelf. A strong four stars.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
A humorous story that introduces the six simple machines along with other engineering/physics terms. Readers meet Ginger and Mac, two mice who are hungry and want to retrieve a cupcake on the kitchen counter. Ginger is skilled at solving problems and finding tools to use. Mac is quick to assist her. Together, they cross the kitchen, avoid the cat, distract the dog and rig a system to get the cupcake out of the glass dome and home to their place. Informative text is included throughout the book so reader can learn more about the tools they choose and the ways they work. I appreciate the introductory level information for elementary readers. A fun story to share as a family or with a class.

[shey · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book I couldn't help but think, "Man, I really need to buy this for the elementary STREAM classroom!" This story is a wonderful intro to simple machines. A perfect addition to any home school's curriculum. It could also pair nicely with lessons found in the cubscout handbooks, multiple age levels could utilize this.

The storyline was cute. But, this book really goes above your average children's story by including every day easy examples and ideas so that your child can view simple machines in their every day world. While also giving them instructions on how to make their very own machines, such as catapults and little box car.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the premise of two mice trying to get a cupcake down from a counter and out from under a cloche, readers learn about the different types of simple machines and how they make work easier.

This is one of those books that has a fictional premise, but is loaded with so much nonfiction information I’m shelving it in the nonfiction section. It’s a creative way to introduce kids to simple machines and make learning about them fun. The former science teacher in me highly approves. (I would have even used this with 9th grade back when I taught them about simple machines.)

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple machines can be hard to learn about. I think the author had a great idea in trying to make learning about simple machines more interesting by adding some fiction/entertainment to this nonfiction book. Some mice want to get a cupcake and they need to use simple machines to get the job done. The explanations and try it yourself experiments are very simple and easy to understand. Some of the ideas would be great science fair projects. It includes a glossary and index.

[Taylor Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my nephew, and he loved it! He really loved the illustrations the most and was rooting for the mouse the whole time. I thought it was creative and informative. I think it’s great for helping kids understand teamwork on top of physics and simple machinery. Such a fun read!

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publishers, for granting me access to an arc of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very helpful book to describe the simple machines that do the work for the mice in the story as they try to reach the cupcakes on the counter. Their pulley system with the inclined plane, levers and other simple machines help them avoid the cat and dog. This book has 1,000= words and is more detailed than other books I found on the subject. The illustrations are fun and each class of levers is explained. I would recommend if teaching about simple machines in school.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are cupcakes on the counter that two mice, Ginger and Mac, are intent on getting. The two use all their science and STEM know-how to find the best solution for them all. From pulleys and levers, the two mice make a way to get their cupcake home.

There are several experiments for readers to try and loads of physics facts taught through the use of everyday items, even our own body. Highly recommend to STEM lovers.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher
Two mice spot a cupcake on the counter and decide they must have it. By making a plan and using a variety of simple machines, the mice manage to get the cupcake back to their mouse hole. The problem-solution approach to this story makes it very engaging.

[Crissi Brandhuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just learned all about levers and pulleys and inclines and friction while wondering how the heck those mice were going to get the cupcake. Absolutely adorable! This book would appeal to many elementary students. Just looking at the pictures and reading the captions is enough for younger students to gain some understanding.

[Stellar Nursery · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kid has asked me to read this to him six times, and for once I don’t mind such dense text. The conversations between the mice convey most of the lessons in a simplified, chatty format. It’s organized brilliantly to work at different levels and perfect for preK-3rd grade.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my son while we were out fishing! He loved the end and thought it was funny! It’s very informative! A lot of information!

[Deena Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5

Definitely a science based story. Contains a lot of detail and drawings and definitions.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant book to introduce readers to the scientific concepts of simple machines embedded in a fun story as well as experiments for them to try along the way. I loved it!

[Amy]

Would be great to use in lesson planning for simple machine lessons for Grade 2

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and creative story! Our grandson loved sharing it with Papa and then they went on a treasure hunt to recreate what they had read about. Thanks #NetGalley