Cupcake Queen (Kylie Jean)

The Cupcake Queen is a fun, charming story with some valuable examples of kindness, respect, and charity for others. I enjoyed Kylie Jean, the main character. I was a little hesitant about her at first because in the first chapter she tells the reader that she's pretty and that she wants to be a beauty queen. I worried that she'd end up being a shallow character, but she isn't. She's smart and ambitious, respectful to adults, and she cares about others.

I enjoyed Kylie's family. She has a loving family who support her dreams while also teaching her how to work for what she wants. Her dog, Ugly Brother, adds a note of humor to the story, as does her relationship with her older brother. The emphasis is on love, respect, and teamwork. Her parents (and grandparents) never try to talk Kylie out of her big idea. They simply give her the tools she needs to accomplish it.

Overall, this is a smoothly written story that shows readers an example of how even a young child can help change the world for someone else.