Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape #1 - by Martin Stewart (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The first in a hilarious middle-grade series about a whip-smart inventor and amateur sleuth with a taste for adventure--a recipe for fun sprinkled with mystery, villainy, silliness, heart, and hope.

Bridget Baxter is the very last orphan at the Orphanage for Errant Childs, left at the mercy of the awful Ms. Acrid and her foul-smelling fish sandwiches. Ms. Acrid's mission is to make Bridget's life a misery. But Bridget is more than a match for her.

When kindly Mr. Vanderpuff arrives at the Orphanage in search of a child to care for, Bridget thinks her luck has finally turned. Mr. Vanderpuff is the village baker, and his shop is a world of wonders. But they soon discover that Bridget is absolutely terrible at baking. When Ms. Acrid returns for the ultimate revenge, Bridget must open the Locked and Secret Door, navigate Ms. Acrid's spiderweb of booby traps, and use her unique baking skills to save herself--and Mr. Vanderpuff--from certain disaster.

Join Bridget as she dons her chef whites and gets the croissants at the ready... Baking isn't such a piece of cake.

Review Quotes

"Effervescent whimsy propels this middle grade series starter from Stewart. Bridget's creative problem-solving delivers consistent laugh-aloud surprises, and plentiful clean-line illustrations by Habben highlight goofy details."--Publishers Weekly

"This bighearted series opener works delightfully sophisticated vocabulary into every page, supplemented with humorous footnotes and punctuated with energetic line drawings...An indomitable hero whips up whimsical bakery concoctions, with life lessons sprinkled throughout."--Kirkus Reviews

"It's a charmer from start to finish, and the brisk pace, zany illustrations, mouthwatering baked goods, and companionable characters will appeal to a wide range of readers. The indomitable Bridget is a true delight, and readers will relate to her frustration as she attempts to tackle a new skill. A sweet treat of a story that emphasizes the power of kindness and shared joy."--Booklist Reviews

About the Author

Martin Stewart is an award-winning Scottish author and former secondary school English teacher who likes to eat a lot of cake.

David Habben is an illustrator and fine artist based in Salt Lake City, Utah.