Some picture books are enjoyable once, but others quickly become that book — the one children reach for again and again, the one they quote, giggle over, and insist on rereading. It’s Not My Cookie by Kael Tudor is very much the latter. If you're a fan of Jon Klassen's books - especially I Want My Hat Back - then you need to read this.
This is a genuinely fun, laugh-out-loud picture book that I can instantly imagine becoming a firm favourite in Key Stage 1 classrooms. It has that perfect mix of simple humour, expressive illustrations and a relatable scenario that young children absolutely love.
Here is the synopsis for the book:
When a bear finds a cookie just sitting there, all alone, what is he to do? Should he pass up this tasty treat or will he give into temptation? Or is there someone else who wants the cookie even more?
Simple, engaging and packed with personality, this book is perfect for reading aloud.
From the very first page, this book knows exactly what it’s doing. The repetition is spot-on for younger readers, making it easy to follow while also building anticipation and humour with each turn of the page. Children will quickly start joining in, predicting what’s coming next and confidently declaring the repeated phrases.
As a teacher, I can already picture this being read over and over again - during story time, as a quick brain break or pulled out by children who want something familiar, comforting and funny. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t lose its charm on the third, fourth or tenth read; if anything, it gets better as children begin to spot details and fully understand the joke.
What I particularly love about It’s Not My Cookie is how accessible it is. The language is clear and child-friendly, but never boring. The humour feels perfectly pitched for Key Stage 1 - not forced, not overdone, just genuinely amusing in a way that young children get. You can tell this book has been written with real readers in mind.
The illustrations deserve a special mention too. Ben Sanders has ensured that the pictures are expressive, bold and full of character, adding so much to the storytelling. Even without the text, there’s plenty for children to talk about, notice and react to, which makes it ideal for discussion, prediction and oral storytelling in the classroom.
Overall, this is a joyful, engaging picture book that children will adore. It’s fun, re-readable and perfectly suited to younger readers, especially those in Key Stage 1. If you’re looking for a book that will make children laugh, join in and ask for again, then this one is a brilliant choice.
Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries and home bookshelves alike.
Thank you to Scholastic for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
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