About The Book

Everyone enjoys the cosiness and friendliness of their favourite café. But what happens when the place you love suddenly changes?

Mabel loves visiting Miss Plum’s Sugar Plum Café and drawing pictures for the arty-smarty wall. But one day, Mabel finds the café under renovation by someone new. She misses her favourite café, and she misses Miss Plum’s smiles. One day, the café reopens, and Mabel reluctantly visits there with her mother. Will this new place provide Mabel with the same joy she felt in the old place? And how will Mabel accept its differences?

In The Welcome Cookies, Mabel witnesses what she perceives to be the destruction of a place she loved. The story shows how even though we can sometimes mourn the loss of a place and miss seeing people, if we open ourselves to new things, it can mean new beginnings and a chance for new friendships to develop. The story also shows how a child has the power to make someone feel special and welcome.

With sensitive illustrations that give life to Mabel’s emotional responses, this book will have young and old alike wanting to visit their local café to taste the welcome cookies.

About The Author

Kaye Baillie is an award-winning children’s author with a passion for writing about remarkable people or events. Her stories have humor and heart.

About The Illustrator

Kirrili Lonergan is a children’s book illustrator, art therapist and mother of four. She has illustrated several picture books as well as creating designs for clothes, prints and pottery. She is passionate about illustrating picture books that have a ‘healing’ message.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Exisle Publishing (September 1, 2024)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781922539502
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

“This is a sweet (pardon the pun) story for 4 to 8-year-olds to remind us that changes happen in life and there can be positives in the new.”

– Buzz Words Magazine

“This is an uplifting and empowering story for 4- to 8-year-old and though there is a reasonable amount of text on each page, the heartfelt story and sensitive illustrations provide a lesson in having an open mind to life’s changes.”

– Storylinks

“Together, the text and artwork offer sensitivity, emotion, warmth and hope for young and older readers, inspiring us all to try new things, accept change, and cherish our favourite places and people.”

– Magpie’s Magazine

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this illustrator: Kirrili Lonergan

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