Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape #1

September 30, 2024
Having grown up in the Orphanage for Errant Childs, brilliant nine-year-old inventor Bridget Baxter has forever been the foil of the institution’s ludicrously villainous headmistress, Miss Acrid. Bridget survives with the help of her best friend Tom and her favorite classic books. After Miss Acrid arranges for all 151 orphans, sans Bridget, to be adopted, Bridget is left bereft—until kindhearted baker Ernest Vanderpuff arrives, compelled by a dream to adopt Bridget. Mr. Vanderpuff whisks her away to nearby Belle-on-Sea, where she discovers happiness and feasts upon incredible pastries. In Mr. Vanderpuff’s shop, she stumbles upon a “Locked and Secret Door,” manifested by his deep-secret loss, and vows to open it. Additionally, Bridget, who is accustomed to quickly picking up skills, is confounded by her guardian’s efforts to teach her how to bake. Effervescent whimsy propels this middle grade series starter from Stewart (The Wild Huntsboys). Bridget’s creative problem-solving delivers consistent laugh-aloud surprises, and plentiful clean-line illustrations by Habben (Mr. Sherman’s Cloud) highlight goofy details such as Miss Acrid’s steam-train roller skates and salmon-shaped sword. Bridget has pale skin and red hair; supporting characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. Agents: Molly Ker Hawn and Nicola Barr, Bent Agency.

November 15, 2024
An inventive and self-confident 9-year-old jumps at the chance to trade her miserable orphan's life for a home with a baker who's lost his ability to see magic. Bridget Baxter can pick a lock, escape a dungeon, and deploy her paraskirt to drift safely groundward, and she's done all this and more during her nine years at Miss Acrid's Orphanage for Errant Childs. Bridget is heartbroken when Miss Acrid engineers matters so that every other orphan--including her best friend, Tom--is adopted, leaving her all alone. A vivid dream propels Ernest Vanderpuff to Miss Acrid's door to inquire about Bridget. When the vile Miss Acrid sends him away, Bridget sails intrepidly from the roof and departs in Mr. Vanderpuff's car. Once ensconced at Vanderpuff's Bake Shop, Bridget finds a soft bed, a friendly resident elf, and a mysterious Locked and Secret Door. Bridget's madcap baking adventures result in lessons in trying your best and being a good friend. Miss Acrid's somewhat cartoonish awfulness fits the story's tone, as do Bridget's many clever escapes and contraptions. This bighearted series opener works delightfully sophisticated vocabulary into every page, supplemented with humorous footnotes and punctuated with energetic line drawings. The ending promises a reunion with Tom and more adventures to come. Bridget and Miss Acrid read white; Mr. Vanderpuff and Tom are brown-skinned. An indomitable hero whips up whimsical bakery concoctions, with life lessons sprinkled throughout. (baking game, cookie recipe)(Mystery. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2025
Grades 3-6 The Orphanage for Errant Childs is a miserable place, and no one knows this better than Bridget Baxter, inventor extraordinaire. In her quest to protect the other orphans, Bridget often runs afoul of the menacing Miss Acrid, but when the kindly Mr. Vanderpuff comes specifically seeking Bridget, she's delighted to be taken in by the benevolent baker, and she quickly starts learning the trade. But instead of sweet treats, she seems to whip up only disasters, and worries she's ruining her chance at home and happiness. To make matters worse, a vengeful Miss Acrid abducts Mr. Vanderpuff, forcing Bridget to combine her ingenious inventions and terrible treats to set everything right and secure her bright future. 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.

COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.