Evocative . . . sure to expand the minds of children, this is an engaging multicultural addition for a public library picture book collection.

School Library Journal, starred review

Zunon, who based the story on her own childhood, uses a winsome blend of paint, collage and ghostly screen-printed figures that represent the faraway Grandpa Cacao--who appears in a buoyant surprise ending, just as the cake is ready.

New York Times Book Review

Replete with sensory details, and two spreads of backmatter round out the informational content, including maps, history, and a cake recipe. Delectable treats plus family history make this a sweet story to share.

Kirkus Reviews

Gracefully intertwines the past and present.

Booklist

Striking oil paint, collage, and screen-printed illustrations . . . point to the importance of traditions to those in the African diaspora when they settle in new places.

Horn Book Magazine

Zunon conveys how scents and shared recipes can connect the past to the present.

Publishers Weekly