Let’s Make Cake! (Bobo and Pup-Pup)

In six chapters, this early reader graphic novel introduces Bobo, a reddish monkey, and Pup-Pup, a black-eared, mustard-colored dog wearing a red polka-dot bandana, who make a cake after seeing some mice’s successful results. There’s just one problem: Bobo is a bit too eager to use substitutes. When Pup-Pup requests sugar and butter, Bobo brings back salt (“Salt is white, just like sugar!”) and lemons (“Lemons are yellow, just like butter”). Predictably, the cake doesn’t turn out as planned, but the friends’ fast-paced journey is nevertheless sure to please newer readers. Simple text by Madan is relayed entirely through speech bubbles as Pup-Pup reads from the cookbook and Bobo gathers ingredients. Rounded, animation-style art against muted monochrome backgrounds by Slater focus on the easily readable emotions of the characters and their antics. Publishing simultaneously: We Love Bubbles. Ages 5–8. (Sept.)