Wolfie's Secret by Nicola Senior

Wolfie was no ordinary wolf.

He was a wolf with a secret.

He was a wolf who loved baking!

Wolfie knows he has to keep his baking a secret. He is supposed to be growly, tough, mean and of course to enjoy eating grandmas. He just cannot do this. It is not in his nature. One day, as he closes the curtains and gets on with his delicious baking the smells waft outside. Three brothers have plans to build a house next door. You might recognise these guys - it is in fact our old friends the three little pigs. They know all about wolves and so they worry that this spot is not a safe place for their new home. Those smells, though, are so tempting. The trio tip toe up to the window and look inside. What they see is so shocking. A wolf in a pinny! A wolf making a chocolate cake!

This is a scandal. The three pigs make a plan to expose this impostor. They stalk him day and night taking photographs and making notes - gathering proof. Once they have everything they need they send it off to the local newspaper. On Saturday morning Wolfie sees the disastrous headline in the newspaper - WOLF IN CAKE BAKING SCANDAL.

Wolfie is devastated. He climbs into bed and retreats from the world. Then the most unexpected thing happens. Letters start to arrive. Readers of the newspaper love his recipes and are keen for more.The newspaper editor offers Wolfie a job. What about those pigs next door? I am happy to say they make peace with their new friend by gifting him a super cake mixer.

There is a recipe in this book for scones and if you look closely you will spy other delicious baked treats such as battenberg cake, and a Victoria Sponge.  Here is the book trailer. There are four activity pages on the publisher web site - Allen and Unwin.

Wolfie's kitchen is wonderful. This is a story to share with a young child followed by the sharing of some delicious home made cake.

This is a debut book from Nicola Senior. I do hope she has plans for more delicious treats like this.

The exquisite illustrations throughout expertly portray Wolfie’s emotions, from his love of baking, the expressions on his face as he concentrates and his horror and disappointment at being found out. Child Care and Education Expo

I would follow this book with The Fairytale News by Colin and Jackie Hawkins.