Summer Showers

Cupcake Cousins #2

by Kate Hannigan, Brooke Boynton Hughes (Illustrator)

It's summertime, and the Bumpus family is growing! Aunt Rosie and Uncle Jonathan are expecting, and the entire family gathers together at Whispering Pines for a baby shower. But with Willow's injured hand and big sisters pushing their way into the kitchen, it looks like Delia and Willow might have to surrender their aprons. After Grandma gives each of the grandchildren a family heirloom, Delia's goes missing. Could it be lost in the cupcake's batter?

Follow the tasty recipes once again as Delia and Willow solve the mystery of the missing keepsake and celebrate the arrival of even more cousins in the second book in this charming series.


Praise for Cupcake Cousins

"[D]ebut novelist Hannigan has assembled all the ingredients for an entertaining and gentle-natured family tale. Delia's anxieties and Willow's struggle to be seen as more than a little kid are relatable, and first-time illustrator Hughes's spot illustrations give a good sense of the girls, the vacation home they love, and the matter-of-fact racial diversity of their clan."
-Publishers Weekly



"Hughes' cheery black-and-white illustrations capture the cousins' exuberance, highlighting both misadventures and sentimental moments. . . . Hannigan's lively tale celebrates family and friendship."
-Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Summer

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet. We are reading these from last to first since we started with Book 3 last month due to the Christmas theme. I feel this second book holds up fine as a stand-alone (much clearer introduction of the cousins and various neighbors and family members than in Book 3) and has a nice summer atmosphere. Again, the focus is on family togetherness (especially with extended family) and baking, preparing for a big event (aunt's baby shower, and county fair) and helping with a family struggle (trying to get more customers to the cafe). Not as good as The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy but a good precursor for those not yet ready for Penderwicks and I imagine these would appeal to fans of the Misty Inn series (Welcome Home!), as well. Includes recipes for several of the bakes the cousins make.

[Barbra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet chapter book about friends/cousins in an obviously mixed 'race' family. This is the kind of multicultural book that doesn't mention specifically the blending of cultures or multiculturalism or details about being either black or white, but has its benefit in being a multicultural book in that it visually represents families that have both black and white family members. I feel children in mixed families will benefit from seeing themselves in these sweet stories about family and friendship, and children in any family situation should know this is a reality in many cultures including their own.

[Cym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sped read through this book because I wanted to know the story before we give it as a gift. Teehee!

It’s cute and I love the recipes that came with it, six, actually. It’s great for some light reading and family warmth as they prepare for a family occasion. This is perfect for kids who love to bake and love family gatherings.

[liso · Rating 5 out of 5]

8 yo daughter loved this book and so did I. Creative, excited, busy, scheming girls get involved in cooking for a baby shower. Independent girls who have fun without mention of screens. Also kind of fun that they include recipes. My daughter thinks it would be a super fun book to do for book club!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This year, The Cupcake Cousins, Delia and Willow are back at Mr. Henry's Saugatuck, Michigan B&B, The Whispering Pines. The big difference this summer is the fact that Delia and her family bought the yellow house next door and have made a new life in this charming town. And, of course, the additional news that Aunt Rosie and Uncle Jonathan are expecting their first baby.

Much like the first book, the cousins are desperate to show off their baking skills when Rosie's baby shower is planned. Timed perfectly with the county fair, the girls decide to enter the baking contest AND bake for the shower. Near catastrophe strikes again as Bernice the big, fluffy dog and Sweet William, Willow's little brother, get into troubling fun. But, the biggest surprise of all is the birth of the newest cousin! No one was expecting the bundle of happiness that awaits the family.

Summer Showers is the continuation of the The Cupcake Cousins series. Following much of the same plot as the first book, readers who liked the start to the series will enjoy this one, too.

[Eileen Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this book. We have to go back and read the first one. There were many aspects of this book that were relevant to our current situation and my daughter really appreciated that. Turns out she skipped ahead of me and read the big surprise. Forced me to keep her up late so we could finish the book! Great read for young girls.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016...

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am excited to have a new realistic, family, baking centered series to share in my classroom. Can't wait to share it with Dillan and her 4th grade baking, recipe fans.

[Doris N]

I plan on buying the 1st one so we can keep up with the series. I have a 12 year old daughter and I will post her review once it is completed.

My daughter never read it.

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

2017 Illinois Reads
It is a year later and the famous baking cousins are together again. You know they will have to save the day...their aunt is pregnant and due very soon!!!
A great story of family and just getting along while growing up.

[Grace Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super sweet and adorable! A really cute ending as well. I really liked it! A great, short, happy book to read! I would defiantly recommend it!