Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ember's kindness cheers a giant in sweet holiday tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE BAKERY DRAGON AND THE GIANT COOKIE begins with Ember, the bakery dragon, flying to various places on a snowy night to deliver cookies—to a farmer, a lighthouse keeper, fairies in a hot spring, and up to Yeti Peak, where a gust of wind in a snowstorm makes him fall into the chimney of a "very grumpy giant." The blue giant, who's mad because Ember disturbed his reading, shouts, "You braved a blizzard for cookies?! How FOOLISH! I don't care for cookies OR CHRISTMAS!" Ember takes this as a challenge, and when the giant goes back to his room, Ember quietly makes a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the giant's kitchen. When a sheet pan of baked cookies falls and crashes, the giant rushes in to see what the racket is. "Did you make these for me?" he asks. He tastes one and declares it "perfect" and says, "No one's ever baked a cookie for me. I usually spend Christmas alone." Then together Ember and the giant deliver chocolate chip cookies to the ill and injured at the Yeti Peak Infirmary. Bea and the dragons from Bea's Bakery soon arrive and find Ember and the giant in the snow. "We've been looking all over for you!" Bea tells Ember. And she and the dragons go back to the giant's kitchen to make and decorate Christmas cookies.
Is It Any Good?
This warm holiday fantasy tale mixes dragons, fairies, yetis, and a giant with a big dollop of kindness to create a cheerful Christmas story for little ones. The Bakery Giant and the Giant Cookie is a worthy addition to the Bakery Dragon series, with the adorable title character—here in a jaunty green fur-trimmed winter jacket—spreading abundant cheer along with the sugar and butter. Author-illustrator Devin Elle Kurz's art is tremendous, with fun details like Christmas stockings hanging in the dragons' cave and the complex pulley system Ember devises so he can bake in the giant's giant kitchen. There's lots of action on every page and positive messages all around. The spreads of attractive baked, decorated, and wrapped cookies may send parents and caregivers running for the flour, measuring cups, and sprinkles.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the kindness shown in The Bakery Dragon and the Giant Cookie. How does Ember the dragon go out of his way for others? Who else is he kind to besides the giant?
Other dragons and even the big blue giant pitch in to make holiday cookies. How does teamwork help get the job done?
What holiday traditions do you have a your house? Are there certain foods or baked treats that you enjoy eating or helping to make? What's your favorite?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Devin Elle Kurtz
- Genre : Holiday
- Topics : Baking , Fantasy ( Dragons ) , Friendship , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Gratitude , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 6, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 21, 2026
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