Cakes in Space (A Not-So-Impossible Tale) Paperback – July 12, 2016

My son has LOVED every Philip Reeve book, this one being no exception. Very creative and engaging writing that captivates my 7 year old and myself alike. He challenges his readers with his exceptional use of the English language and combining that, with his compelling storytelling, makes this something that should be on every child’s reading list.

Interesting read! I really enjoyed the book before this, Oliver and the Seawigs, so this one had tough competition. I read to my 5-year old and he liked it as well. Thanks for creating such a fun story!

Students love series

This is one of the Reeve/McIntyre Not-So-Impossible Tale books, (I think currently there are three different ones), and my favorite so far. The blurbs fairly describe it as an exciting and slightly silly illustrated space adventure, and that's fair as far as it goes. But, it's a lot more than that. (The cover and the alien cupcakes do suggest that the book is more childish than it really is.)The book has an advanced chapter book feel, partly because of the sophisticated vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure. This is not written in that punchy, direct style that's intended for starting readers and that you get in early chapter books. Rather, the book has a more grown up feel. It isn't patronizing or condescending or impressed by its own antic silliness. The author tells his off-kilter story with a straight face and treats kid readers with great respect.And the book really has all of the things I most admire. The young heroine, Astra, is independent, resourceful and grounded. She is observant, practical, brave and kind, but still relateable to any young reader. The jokes run the gamut from silly to very sly and subtle. Dialogue is sharp, clear and natural feeling. There is zero angst or family drama. The scares are scary enough for the story but not scary-scary. Pacing is brisk but not frantic. Scenes are well set; the illustrations are a bonus, but not strictly necessary because the settings are so well described. The author has taken care to fill in the story around the edges. By that I mean it isn't just a slam-bang action tale. Astra's trip on the space shuttle and her experience of weightlessness and her experience of cryogenic sleep and her first meeting with the killer cupcakes and so on all feel real because so much care is taken in making it seem real.This might be a young reader's first contact with a plot that has more than one point. Things happen and then other, different things happen. Lots of early chapter books, understandably, have simple linear and uncomplicated plots. Here, the story progresses through numerous acts, with new characters, new twists, surprising developments, and unexpected angles popping up every other chapter. A young reader can certainly follow it, but the experience of riding such a narrative roller-coaster has a certain satisfaction to it.So, not to put too fine an edge on it, this book was just an excellent find. It is better than I expected in every important way and a satisfying hoot. (Please note that I found this book while browsing the local library's Kindle books, and downloaded it for free. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

The story itself is both amusing and completely barmy along with being loads of fun to read. It made me laugh, out loud while I was commuting (I must say I got strange looks from other passengers on the train), all the way through I couldn't put it down – it was a real page turner. Philip Reeve is a very accomplished writer for children, which adults happen to read too. Both my partner and I love his work. The book is affectionately fashioned with some charming effective graphics from Sarah McIntyre and their partnership is a real ‘force multiplier’ as the narrative and the pictorials enhance the story. A book that would be a bright and notable addition to any bookshelf - be it, for a child or adult.Sarah McIntyre has lovingly produced some gorgeously effective illustrations – that are lovely and zany I hope we get to see the colourful edition when it comes out. This book is a worthy addition to his other brilliant books such as Oliver and the Seawigs and I really hope that a sequel to Cakes in Space is made. A narrative that I think boys and girls aged 6-9 would appreciate, especially if they like adventures and speculative fiction.

Astra and her family (including her brother Alf) are headed out to space to colonize a new planet - a 199 year journey. Before she gets put into hyper sleep, she decides she might want something to eat. Finding the food replicator, she orders a cookie that is so good she decides to order "the ultimate cake" but it doesn't finish before she's found and toted off to her bed for safe sleep. Almost half-way through the journey, 99 years later, she awakes. No one else is stirring and though she summons the robot who is supposed to put her back to sleep, he doesn't come. So she gets up to find there are cakes floating all over the ship. With eyes. And teeth. And legs. And who want to fight! For 99 years, the Nom-O-Tron has been trying to make that elusive Ultimate Cake. She and her robot friend, Pilbeam, try to save the ship from the cakes, while being boarded by The Nameless Horror and the Poglites (who want spoons!). The story was so wacky it was almost like a Vonnegut for kids.The four year old in the house LOVED this story. Chapters are short enough to be read over several days. It's a fun adventure with lots of cute illustrations. Astra is inventive and brave (and not at all weirded out that she woke up 99 years later exactly the same age as when she went to sleep) and is a likeable character. Was it all a dream from that cookie before bed? Read along to find out.

I bought this as a present for my daughter (5) who loves it, better yet her elder sister enjoys reading it to her. It's opened plenty of discussions about what's possible in space... other than cakes!What I will say is how disappointing the paperback edition is, so much of the vibrancy of the brilliant illustrations by Sarah is lost because of the choices made in the publication. It doesn't distract from the story, nor have the girls commented on the difference. In future I will most definitely purchase the hardback versions, letting all the illustrator's hard work leap off the page and really bring to life a most excellent story.

We were given this by a friend and enjoyed it so much I bought a couple as birthday presents for 6 & 7th birthdays. My six year old and four year old loved the story - just scary enough in parts to make it really exciting. The storyline is very imaginative and got their minds working in wonderfully bonkers ways. It has a girl as the lead character - which is harder to find than you'd think in this day and age - and helped my daughter to really immerse herself in the story. The illustrations are also wonderful.

granddaughter loves it and that's what matters

My 7 year old loved this book. Its longer than expected and took quite a few evenings to get through. It has enough suspence to keep youngsters interested, with enough funny moments to lighten things up. Watch out for your spoons

Funny book, well written, as an adult I enjoyed this book, I gave it to my nephew afterwards, who is seven.

Excellent.

Christmas present for my 8 year old son - great story, good illustrations, he thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Purchased for my eight year old daughter, she liked it.

good price, prompt delivery

Bought for my 6 year old grand daughter and she has enjoyed it

Excellent read for 8 year old. Delivered quickly.

Looks enticing, hope the grandchildren read it.

Bought for my 8 year old nephew. He loves it.

Lovely kids book.

original and very funny