Penny Dreadful Cooks Up a Calamity

Name: Penny Dreadful Cooks Up a Calamity
ISBN: 9781409540526

Penny Dreadful Series · Book 3 of 4

For the child who delights in relatable mishaps and quirky characters, this book follows Penny Dreadful as her well-intentioned plans go hilariously awry.

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About This Book

A parent might reach for this book when their child feels frustrated by their own mistakes or when their best-laid plans have gone spectacularly wrong. Penny Dreadful Cooks Up a Calamity follows the earnest and hilarious Penny, whose attempts to win a local baking competition for her dad result in pure chaos. Her intentions are golden, but her methods, involving her best friend and a runaway hamster, lead to a memorable kitchen disaster. This story beautifully normalizes imperfection and celebrates effort over winning. It's a lighthearted, funny read that reassures kids that it's okay not to be perfect and that love and family are more important than first place, modeling resilience with a great sense of humor.

Humor Cooking & Food Resilience & Perseverance Self-Confidence & Identity Adventure Friendship & Loyalty Family & Siblings Friendship & Social

What Parents Should Know

Sensitive Topics

None. The book is entirely focused on light, low-stakes conflict. All challenges are comedic in nature and resolved with humor and family support. The approach is secular and grounded in everyday childhood experiences.

Ideal Reader

A child aged 7 to 9 who loves funny, character-driven series like Clementine or Ivy + Bean. It's particularly well-suited for a child who struggles with perfectionism or gets easily discouraged by mistakes. The short chapters, witty narration, and illustrations also make it an excellent choice for newly independent or reluctant readers who are drawn to humor.