The Biscuit Maker by Sue Lawson illustrated bu Liz Anelli

Benedict Stanley lives alone. He observes his neighbourhood but no one stops to talk to him except for one small boy. The boy shows Benedict Stanley the space where his tooth fell out. That night Benedict Stanley makes some delicious biscuits to celebrate the arrival of the tooth fairy and he quietly places them on a nearby door step. Over the following days other people find biscuits delivered to their doors - shortbread for the triplets, choc-chip for the new neighbours, and football cookies to celebrate the grand final. One day, however, there are no biscuits. 

"Where is the biscuit maker?" "Maybe she's on holidays."

Word placement in a story is so important. Did you notice the word "she"? So much to discuss about assumptions.  

Here are some other words from The Biscuit Maker.

"One evening, an aching and snuffling Benedict Stanley shuffles to bed." 

"Rose petals fall and cabbages wilt."

Benedict Stanley is unwell and I can cope with that but the suggestion that it takes days, weeks or longer for the neighbours to realise he needs help almost made me cry. Rose petals fall and cabbages wilt! Thank goodness again for that small boy.

The emotional arc of this story also affected me. Benedict is deeply lonely; then he finds a joyous, albeit solitary, task baking that brings him happiness; things begin to change in the neighbourhood but Benedict becomes unwell; luckily people now recognise his generosity; they have started to talk to each other and so we watch this community light up as the people join together in a neighbourhood celebration.

Advice for authors often includes the phrase 'show don't tell'.   Benedict Stanley lives alone with only his cat Audrey Mae for company. Where is his wife? Why is he alone? What is the significance of the name 'Audrey Mae'?These ten words provide some of the answers:

"In his kitchen, Benedict Stanley reaches for his wife's recipe book."

It's terrific to see the recipe for basic biscuit dough is provided at the back of the book. Perhaps you could make some biscuits ready to enjoy when you read this book with a young child.  In Australia we use the word biscuit. Sue Lawson also uses the word cookie in her story perhaps cat cookies and football cookies sound better than cat biscuits and football biscuits. Just something to think about along with the American celebration of Halloween which in recent times is celebrated here in Australia even though the season is "wrong". Perhaps these inclusions give this book a wider audience beyond the shores of Australia.

Walker Books describe The Biscuit Maker:

• An important and topical book about how even in the midst of life on a busy street you can feel all alone.
• An inspirational title that demonstrates how simple acts of friendship can bring a community together.
• Demonstrates how the friendship between young children and the elderly members of a community can change lives.

Make sure you spend some time on the end papers which look a little like a street map. Liz Anelli is a master of collage. The cover is also very interesting - think about why we cannot see Benedict's face.

You could design a mini unit for a young Primary class on the importance of community using The Biscuit Maker and these other titles: