The Truth Cookie
What a fun book this is! Fiona Dunbar does a superb job with the story. Readers will instantly bond with Lulu, cheering her on and loathing her future stepmother and stepbrother. Excitement builds as Lulu and Frenchy decode the clues to find the mysterious ingredient shop, pulling the reader through the pages quickly. The generous sprinkling of humorous puns just increases the fun. An added bonus is the promise of two more stories with Lulu, an entire Lulu Baker Trilogy. Kidsreads.com
Grade 4-7–Magic and cooking combine when Lulu Baker, 13, finds herself pitted against her father's gruesome fiancée. As ex-supermodel Varaminta le Bone and her loathsome son, Torquil, begin to take over Lulu's home, she is not pleased. While firming up wedding plans, the duo resort to blackmail and try to isolate the girl from her father, and she realizes that something has to be done. Her deliverance comes in the form of a mysterious cookbook discovered in strange Mister O's bookshop. It contains a recipe for cookies that cause the consumer to speak only the truth. Now it's a race against time as Lulu must find the rare ingredients for the sweets and discover a way to get her enemies to eat them before that final walk down the aisle. A sorceress/taxi driver Cassandra comes to her rescue, providing the condiments and clues to foil the le Bones. The writing is crisp and inventive, though the story is nothing new and the plot relies too heavily on the tired conceit of a magical character to solve all of the heroine's problems. In spite of this deus ex machina, the book will definitely delight kids captivated by modern fairy tales. Tasty, if not entirely filling, fare. Reviewed by Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library, From School Library Journal Copyright © Reed Business Information
Gr. 4-7. In this debut novel, 12-year-old Lulu, who lives in London , tries everything to convince her father that he shouldn't marry former supermodel Varaminta le Bone, the author of How to Be as Thin as Me , but he remains besotted. "Minty" comes with a bratty son, Torquil, who steals Lulu's special collection of photos and mementos of her deceased mother--holding them hostage for Lulu's silence about his pranks. Magical realism takes center stage when a special cookbook comes into Lulu's possession, and a recipe for Truth Cookies saves the day. The characters are one-dimensional stereotypes, and the plot is fairly transparent and predictable. Even so, readers will feel a certain satisfaction in the downfall of the vapid, conniving Varaminta, and they'll want to learn what's next for likable Lulu. Will she use more of the book's intriguing recipes? Two more books are planned. Reviewed by Cindy Dobrez, Booklist Copyright © American Library Association
This is a light fantasy perfect for young girls. It reads like a movie script, with broad humor, a fast-moving plot and truly villanous characters. There is little depth here. Even at the end the villains stay villains and no new realizations are made by any of the characters. But as a light read with a twist of magic, this book will be popular. The fun cover will help sell it to exactly the right audience. Recommend this one to girls looking for a sweet read. Reviewed by ???? or in?
This book is a great book for any age. I would especially use it in the upper elementary and middle grades. It's interesting and has content that a lot of young people experience daily: death of a parent, remarriage, cruelty by step-parents or step-siblings, and finding a way to help someone they love. The Truth Cookie is funny and creative. Reviewed by Judith Hesse, University of Toledo
This first novel by Australian Fiona Dunbar begins the Lulu Baker trilogy. Lulu is a young teen with only memories of her mother (who died years earlier), living with her father who is dating a has-been supermodel. This woman, Varaminta le Bone, is a selfish gold-digger who suggests that a cabbage soup diet would help slim both Lulu and her father. Varaminta's son provides mouthy torment and has his own scare: trying to trick the neighbor into believing a cat has been kidnapped. As one might predict, Lulu hates the woman and the feeling is mutual. However, when Lulu's father is around, Varaminta turns into a sweet, caring future stepmother. As her father and this nasty woman move closer to marriage, Lulu knows she must do something to stop it.
Lulu finds an unusual book that contains magical recipes and she sees the potential for a truth cookie to open her father's eyes about Varaminta and her son. But how do you find ingredients that include "a cup of reasons"? Lulu and her pal, Frenchy, find a magical grocery store run by Cassandra, who aids Lulu in her use and understanding of the magic. Lulu has just enough teen angst to be realistic and more than enough magic to save the day. Reviewed by Janis Flint-Ferguson, Assoc. Prof, English, Gordon College , Wenham , MA
Why are the Le Bones so evil?
How was Lulu's dad tricked?
Will Lulu be able to save her dad from the dreaded Varaminta?
The only way to know is to read this awesome book and find out!
I found this book to be wonderfully written! It was full of interesting characters that all play a part in the outcome of this book. It also has a great twist of magic, mystery, and humor to it. I found it very enjoyable reading about a young strong hearted girl with a New Age cookbook. Overall, I found this book to be very well written and would recommend it for middle school students. Reviewed by Angela Kaczowka, grade 8, Boardman Center Middle School, in ????
Cupid Cakes
This is the second of this series and marks a welcome return of Lulu Baker, the young heroine with magical powers. In this latest adventure, Lulu and her best friend Frenchie, plan for their single parents to fall in love, aided by Lulu's magical skills. They also have to thwart the dangerous scheming of lulu's dad's ex-girlfriend, Varaminta and her objectionable son, Tarquin, and learn their parts for the school play, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Well, as you might guess, the plotting doesn't go according to plan, the school play comes perilously close to disaster and Varaminta and her son are harder to thwart than expected. Nevertheless, in the end, things come out unexpectedly well. This is an extremely well shaped story, with a strong plot and a number of interwoven subplots. It is well written in a clear, fast moving, accessible style which keeps the reader gripped from first to last. An un-put-downable book, it will particularly appeal to young teenagers. The Shakespearean subplot and the incidental bullying issues that arise as the subplot unfolds are delicately handled with a sure, convincing touch. I can't wait for Lulu's third adventure! Reviewed by Irene Babsky in ???
I love your lulu Baker trilogy and the picture that you drew of Varaminta is just how I imagined her. I like the Halloween description of Torquils house in your third book, chocolate wishes. Wow I can't believe it. I am finally writing to you! I really love your books and I own the truth cookie, Cupid cakes and chocolate wishes. I keep them all safe in a big box under lock and key and I have put a sheet of silk over them to signify that something special lies inside! I have shown my D&T food teacher your recipes in your lulu baker trilogy. She thinks that you are amazing with a wild imagination.
Sometimes I wish that I knew how to make the upside down cake that lulu makes in chocolate wishes, all of my teachers are boring and many of them are mad!!! Bethany
I am11 years old and I think you are the best author in the world and your books are fantastic, but my favourite would have to be CUPID CAKES.
At the moment I am doing a project about you and the books you have written. I think the characters in your books are fantastic.
I would just like to know what made you decide to be an author instead of an illustrator. I would also like to thank you for making reading fun. thank you, from Clodagh, Tasmania, Australia
To Ms Dunbar, I am 12 years old. I LOVE your books and I have read them all about a hundred times. I love the way that I can relate to Lulu and I felt so angry in some parts. I was wondering if you had any other books out. Please reply to me but I understand if you can't. From Connor
Hi Fiona, I am a 11 year old girl who loved your book! I have only read the Truth Cookie (3 times) though I am getting Cupid Cakes and Chocolate Wishes very soon!
I am an avid book reader and always have been and the thing I look for in books is if you can actually be in the story with the characters or for example in your book I was sucked into Lulu's body!
It was a great idea for a book to put real life and magic into one book and it came out brilliant!
I leant this book to a friend and she loved it too! Rachel
Hello, I'm Tomi,13 from Nigeria and I just read one of your books yesterday: Truth Cookies. I thought it was a good, light-hearted read. I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to reading your other books.
I myself love writing stories...and cooking! What I loved most about your book was the characters- such interesting names!!! It was fun to read. Tomi, Nigeria
hello fiona
i am a big fan of your books!...I have no critiscm but to ask if you could ever write..." The apple star" with lots of PRETEND recipes in them because i really want to find out what other recipes there are( if there are any )
Please reply as soon as possible!!
well i know you will.
Loads of hugs and chocolate wishes for you and your family!
P.S i have all your books!
Jess, United Kingdom