The Runaway Pancake by Tiny Fisscher; Sleep Here, Wake There by Caio Zero – BlackRaven Book Review

cbr17bingo Culture (Runaway Pancake) and Work (Sleep Here, Wake There)

When you are a reader of the children’s genre you find all types of books. One of my favorites are picture books as they are fun, unique and quick reads. Still, they can have deep messages and/or be quirky and fun.

The Runaway Pancake by Tiny Fisscher and illustrated by Sophie Pluim (currently available but read via an online reader copy) (CULTURE) is a fun and quirky one with a fun take on the Gingerbread Man story. Cute, colorful and needed detailed illustrations and moving text tie things up nicely tie up the adventure. We have seven children, a father and a grandmother. Then we have a variety of animals. And of course, each one wants the first pancake as it is all golden and warm and tasty looking. And of course, the pancake runs off (somehow without legs). There is a bit of the “The Woman Who Swallowed a Fly” concept as each character adds to the information given from the person before (such as “dear father” becomes “dear, sweet father” which becomes “dear, sweet, loveable father” and so on. And the pancakes description will go the same way). The ending is predictable but clever nonetheless.

Another quirky, fun and additional mysterious book is Sleep Here, Wake There by Caio Zero (WORK). I believe I have read this book before, but was not sure when I saw it being promoted. Therefore, I went and gave it a read when I found myself an online reader (which I would have done other readings as well). It is due September/October 2025 so you have plenty of time to go and preorder your copy at your favorite independent bookstore. The concept is typical: a young boy learns of a mystery. He goes to bed at home but when he wakes the next morning, he is all the way at his aunt’s house. The usual mischief occurs (think crayons, wall and creative child) and a determined detective to learn the truth. (which we learn is that his mother works the night shift and must leave him as she is a single parent). All of this is wrapped up in simple text and bold, minimalistic illustrations. Perhaps my favorite part is how it is based on Zero’s own childhood experiences.

Both these books could fit the Culture box. Many cultures not only have folklores, many have similar ones. And while the versions of The Gingerbread Man (Runaway Pancake is a version of that) story that I have read have been more European, you could adapt them to fit the specialties of those peoples. This is a great way to show how similar we are despite any perceived differences. Therefore I feel Runaway Pancake is the better fit for Culture. And Sleep Here, Wake There is the culture of family. While the aunt the narrator stays with is not biological, they are family. Culture is not formed just by where you are born, but how you use the values you have to make a community. To me, culture can be as simple as the community you live in, love with and help with. However, this community is being formed because the mother needs to go to work and needs someone to watch her son while she does the night shift, therefore the book fits the Work Bingo category best.

Now I am off to find more picture books for some good times, pleasurable reading and then sharing with y’all!