Eileen Spinelli is at it again with a poignant and charming new tale! Written in gentle verse, The Dancing Pancake is told from the point of view of spunky Bindi, only child and reader extraordinaire. Her comfy normal life is quickly turned askew when her parents separate and her mother moves them into a small apartment building above the restaurant that she and Bindi’s aunt have just purchased together. Bindi soon learns that life above The Dancing Pancake can be filled with joy, however much she might miss her father and her old house and old life and however mad and sad she might feel about all of the changes thrust upon her. The cast of waiters and customers who make up Bindi’s new community is a fascinating and fun one, especially bubbly waitress Ruby Frances, pesky little cousin Jackson, and homeless Gracie. With the help of her friends, Bindi finds that she just might be able to weather separation and syrup bottles and slime green bedroom walls just fine, even if her aunt does make her wear a pancake costume to attract customers. Funny illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff add spark to this is a warm and syrup-sweet story that’s great for middle and older readers.
256 pages.
Highly recommended by Molly Crumbley, Librarian.
