Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape (Bridget Vanderpuff #1)

Having grown up in the Orphanage for Errant Childs, brilliant nine-year-old inventor Bridget Baxter has forever been the foil of the institution’s ludicrously villainous headmistress, Miss Acrid. Bridget survives with the help of her best friend Tom and her favorite classic books. After Miss Acrid arranges for all 151 orphans, sans Bridget, to be adopted, Bridget is left bereft—until kindhearted baker Ernest Vanderpuff arrives, compelled by a dream to adopt Bridget. Mr. Vanderpuff whisks her away to nearby Belle-on-Sea, where she discovers happiness and feasts upon incredible pastries. In Mr. Vanderpuff’s shop, she stumbles upon a “Locked and Secret Door,” manifested by his deep-secret loss, and vows to open it. Additionally, Bridget, who is accustomed to quickly picking up skills, is confounded by her guardian’s efforts to teach her how to bake. Effervescent whimsy propels this middle grade series starter from Stewart (The Wild Huntsboys). Bridget’s creative problem-solving delivers consistent laugh-aloud surprises, and plentiful clean-line illustrations by Habben (Mr. Sherman’s Cloud) highlight goofy details such as Miss Acrid’s steam-train roller skates and salmon-shaped sword. Bridget has pale skin and red hair; supporting characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. Agents: Molly Ker Hawn and Nicola Barr, Bent Agency. (Jan.)