Pancake Dreams

by Imgmarie Ahvander, Ingmarie Ahvander, Mati Lepp (Illustrator)

Nothing else will do
Stefan loves pancakes, especially his grandma's delicious Swedish pancakes. But it takes many hours to fly to Sweden from Jordan, so Stefan won't be getting some of his favorite treats anytime soon. Even though his mom tries, her pancakes aren't as good as Grandma's. Then one day Stefan gets an idea at the bakery.
About "Pancake Dreams," recipient of first prize in R&S's competition for best manuscript, the selection jury wrote: "Ingmarie Ahvander's ingenious and hope-inspiring story shows that nothing is impossible."

Genres: Picture Books, Family

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Abigail]

Stefan, now living in Jordan with his parents and little brother, misses his grandmother Elsa, back in Sweden. He misses her company, and he misses her delicious pancakes. Nothing else tastes as good. When the family come home from the baker's with a flat box, perfect for pancakes, Stefan has an idea: he will send the box to his grandma, and she can send him some of his favorite treat...

Originally published in Swedish as Farmors Pangkakor (literally: "Pancake Grandmother"), Pancake Dreams is a cute little picture-book about a young boy who is missing his grandmother. One who, despite being well integrated into his new living place, misses the taste of home. Ingmarie Ahvander's somewhat unlikely narrative is engaging, and the artwork from Mati Lepp is colorful and cute. That said, I did find myself wondering how this international family tale from 2001 would read in 2019 Sweden, given the influx of so many migrants from the Middle East in the intervening years. Would it seem privileged, to current youngsters, that Stefan and his family are able to arrange international couriers for something like pancakes, when so many displaced people wonder if they'll even see loved ones again? Or would it merely seem happy and naive, occuring in a period before the crisis began? Leaving aside these musing, and the discomfort I felt at Stefan's somewhat spoiled behavior, with regard to the pancakes when they arrive, I did enjoy the book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for children's stories about living far from one's grandparents, or living in expatriate communities outside of one's own country.

[Adrianna]

Pancake Dreams is an excellent children's book. This story focuses on Stefan who loves his grandma's delicious Swedish pancakes. When Stefan's family moves from Sweden to Jordan, he is unable to eat his grandma's pancakes. One day, Stefan has the brilliant idea of sending a box from a bakery to his grandma in Sweden. Stefan's grandma fills the box with pancakes and sends it with a man traveling from Sweden to Jordan. The pancakes arrive and after eating fourteen pancakes, Stefan then allows his mom, dad, and brother to each have a pancake. The story ends with Stefan, full of pancakes, reading the note his grandma wrote him "To my pancake pal. Hugs from Grandma." I really enjoyed this children's book because it demonstrated the innovation of a young boy and his determination to eat his grandma's pancakes. I have a close relationship with my grandma, so this story resonated with me.

[Erin]

I found it strange that the customs officer would eat some of the pancakes.

[Gracie]

I chose this book randomly off of a bookshelf, and I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this book and I think it would be good for grades two and three. It is a book that could be read aloud to the class or individually by a student. It could be used in an elementary classroom to teach them a lesson about how to make their an ideas a reality, even if it is said to be impossible. This teaches them that perseverance is key.

[Brittany Houston]

This book slightly focuses on the bond a family receives while cooking together(special dishes). It also provides a lot of fantasy, that is important in enhancing student's imagination and creativity.

[Antonia]

I love this book because it reminds me of my life overseas away from my family. There were many times I wanted some of my mom's good food and could not have it. It also is a great book to introduce new cities and the languages they speak there to students .

[Allison]

A little boy moves away and misses his grandmothers pancakes. Then he gets some and eats them all himself. A great book on how to teach kids to eat their feelings.

[Sarah Stumphf]

Good book for anyone who has to move to another country and leave family behind. Very sweet story.