Snake Brought Cake

Snake Brought Cake
Sam Smith
Ill. Daron Parton
Hachette NZ (2022)
Picture book
24 pages, Paperback
ISBN 978 1 86971 489 5

Wombats donned waistcoats, while vultures wore vests.

This New Zealand picture book cries out to be read aloud. Its witty rhymes and hilarious pictures make it the perfect bedtime book for young readers (and listeners). Those doing the reading will enjoy it too.
The story of Snake Brought Cake begins at Pettington Zoo, where the animals are all busy preparing for a visit by the Harry. Exuberant creatures assemble a huge birthday party spread, which culminates in a highly appropriate surprise – first for the Harry – and then for the reader.
Sam Smith, a professional comedian, takes a delight in packing his verse with odd pairings of animals and an even more gleeful delight in inserting tongue-twisters.

Dolphins and planktons delivered the plates.
Stingrays strung streamers and starfish cooked cakes.

Daron Parton’s colour illustrations are sophisticated and enjoyable. To accompany the line The ice was provided by chilly macaws, he shows an ice-bucket being flown in by a colourful macaw wearing an even more colourful woolly hat, scarf and jumper. Every picture contains tiny delights like these.
Referring back to the title, it should be noted that Smith and Parton have devised a way for a snake to carry a four-layer birthday cake. Impressive.

Snake Brought Cake is my pick for the best picture book of the year.

Trevor Agnew
3 October 2022 [Review 3504]