Bunny Cakes
After Max accidentally ruins Ruby's attempt to make a special cake for Grandma, he is sent on a shopping trip. Since he can't write a list, he has to draw his needs instead.
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells is estimated to take about 5 minutes to read aloud (358 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 2-5.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 358Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 5/5still good at forty
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 2-5Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a sweet, simple story about siblings and the creative ways children communicate. The humor comes from Max’s silent approach to his shopping list, which is a funny, relatable moment for any parent who has dealt with toddler logic.
With its heavy repetition, this is an excellent choice for the two-to-four-year-old crowd. It’s a comforting, predictable read that works well for a quick bedtime story.
Themes
- siblings
- baking
- writing
- shopping
- grandmothers
Books like Bunny Cakes
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Doorbell Rangabout 5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Noisy Noraabout 4 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Should I Share My Ice Cream?about 3.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
If You Give a Mouse a Cookieabout 5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!about 3.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Bunny Cakes aloud?
About 5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 358. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Bunny Cakes actually for?
Ages 2-5 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Bunny Cakes survive being read on repeat?
Yes - this is one of the few that is still fine on the fortieth reading, which is why it scores 5 out of 5 with us.
Is Bunny Cakes a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Bunny Cakes?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 5 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Bunny Cakes on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
Is Bunny Cakes part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Max and Ruby series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Bunny Cakes cover?
We tag it with siblings, baking, writing, shopping and grandmothers. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Bunny Cakes is on
49 reviewed booksBooks for 2 Year OldsFind the best books for 2 year olds. Our list includes read-aloud times and word counts to help you pick the right book for any mood or moment.
45 reviewed booksPreschool BooksA curated list of picture books for ages three to five. Find books that hold a group, stories that are quick, and favorites for constant re-reading.