Amanda Commander: The Great Orange Bake Off

Amanda Commander: The Great Orange Bake Off by Coral Vass (Wombat Books) RRP: $12.99 ISBN 9781761112195

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This is part of the Amanda Commander book series, though it's perfectly possible to read it as a stand-alone story. This chapter book is about the school baking competition where everyone must include a special ingredient, an orange.

Amanda's paired with Eve for the bake-off, even though she doesn't like Eve and her competitive nature. Lucia and Mai, Amanda's best friends, aren't very happy with the arrangement either, and try to help Amanda to get back with them, the Dolphin Squad.

The chapter book is presented with fun visuals that may appeal to young children. There are plenty of pictures, and some of the text is laid out as handwritten notes, diary scribbles, text messages, posters, and so on, which break up the normal writing and make it appealing. It's a good way to introduce text to young readers and keep it from being too intimidating.

Amanda's chirpy voice telling the story to us is engaging for a young reader who may relate to the excitement of a child with her friends - her interest in having a "headquarters" with her friend, and her eagerness to keep the gang together. These little childhood emotions keep the book going. 

However, the main story of the book, while it may seem fun (who doesn't like food and competition?), is ultimately not very dramatic or tense. The friendship issues are resolved a tad too easily. There didn't seem to be much difficulty in working out what to do with the orange. It's not a story for those seeking suspense, intensity or challenges in their events. The story will satisfy those who want to hang out with Amanda and the girls and enjoy a happy, comfortable time.