Bliss

Bliss is a children’s book written by Kathryn Littlewood. The book is aimed at children from 9 to 12 years old, and the main target is girls. I would say the book can even be enjoyed by younger readers from 7 and up.

Bliss is the name of Rosemary’s family’s magical bakery, and magical, in this context, is meant literally. The Bliss family is in the possession of an ancient cook book with recipes that can cure the common cold, make people truthful or fall head over heels in love with each other. The book needs to be guarded carefully so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, and when Rosemary’s parents have to go away for a week, this task falls on Rosemary.
But as soon as Rosemary’s parents have left, a mysterious glamorous stranger appears in the bakery claiming to be the children’s long lost aunt. Aunt Lily is everything Rosemary has ever dreamt of being; popular, exotic, adventurous and drop dead gorgeous. But why does this beautiful aunt give Rosemary such a gnawing feeling in her guts, could she be someone else entirely? Even someone with sinister intentions?

This book is light-hearted, funny, sweet, and an absolute treat for kids who love cakes and baking. I can already hear my almost-nine-Year-old neighbor laughing in delight at some of the recipes-gone-wrong parts of the book. It is a light read, but perhaps a bit slow-paced. It reminds me of Roald Dahl, Alan Snow and David Walliams’ books, but this one is definitely for girls. It is perhaps a bit too childish for adults to enjoy, but I think it would be wonderful to read together with a little girl.

The only thing I would perhaps change about the book is the lack of descriptions and those little details that add so much magic to books like this; books that are atmospheric rather than action-driven. But that is just me, and I know many kids prefer more to-the-point language.