#367 - Pinkoo Shergill Pastry Chef
by Vibha Batra and illustrated by Shamika Chaves
“Pinkoo Shergill Pastry Chef” by Vibha Batra and illustrated by Shamika Chaves. Published by Scholastic. A delightful and sweet story of a boy from Patiala in Punjab who aspires to be a pastry chef much to the dismay of his papaji (father).
Pinkoo (Prabhjot) Shergill is almost ten years old and dreams that he will be a world famous pastry chef one day! But it has to be the biggest secret. Nobody in his family can know about his interest in baking let alone watch him in action in the kitchen. For boys are not supposed to be in the kitchen according to his papaji. He always bakes when everyone is busy and there is no possibility of them coming anywhere close to the kitchen. Papaji wants Pinkoo to be an ace shooter and win medals. It is actually his unfulfilled dream which he is forcing down Pinkoo’s throat. Pinkoo tries to find reasons to avoid attending the shooting coaching always. His one and only love is for baking and he excels in that. His cookies and cakes are absolutely decadent, yummy, delicious and melt in the mouth variety.
When Pinkoo’s best friend Manu informs him that the Great Junior Bake-a-thon which always happens in London is coming to Chandigarh this time for auditions, Pinkoo is ecstatic. But reality hits him when he realises how covertly he will have to manage the entire preparation phase and attend the audition without his family getting to know. He has to ensure that his blabbermouth cousin Tutu, who cannot keep a secret, does not inform anyone in the family even by mistake. He will have to take the help of Nimrat, the most annoying girl in school according to him, to prepare for the contest. For she happens to be the daughter of the owner of Coffee Oye which is the best coffee shop in the whole of Patiala. Will Nimrat be able to help Pinkoo? Can Pinkoo get trained from a pastry chef and manage to participate? Will his family get to know? Will they support him? Can he win the bake-a-thon? Read the fast paced book with some desserts at hand for the sweet cravings that you are bound to get while reading to know what happens :)
My 8.5 year old and I enjoyed reading the book. The quintessentially Punjabi characters in the story were a delight. Pinkoo’s passion, determination to succeed and courage were admirable. The illustrations are cheeky and add to the charm of the story helping us to visualise it better. There are multiple messages conveyed through the story of Pinkoo. First is that we need a strong will to go ahead and not give up despite obstacles that come in our paths. Second is that one cannot force their dreams on their children unless they have a genuine interest in them. Third is not to have gender bias and associate a profession with a particular gender only. Fourth is not to be prejudiced about someone (through the example of Pinkoo and Nimrat). Too many desserts in this sweet story and we wanted to race through these irresistible and yummylicious desserts quickly ;)
What is amazing about this book is that there are several dimensions woven so adroitly and beautifully into what at first glance may seem like a simple story. Actually there are even more beyond what I have listed above. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving all those together into the story in a children’s book! Added to all that is the ending which is fantabulous and left my son “wowmazed” with his jaw on the floor :) I want to tell you all about all these dimensions. But i have to confess, I am struggling to do that without giving away the plot. So, I will resist the urge. All that I can say is it is a “MUST READ” and that Vibha is just such a master story weaver!!
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 7 and above.
Reasons to Read
All the good things that have been already mentioned above. But just the ending makes this book an absolute must read! Total winner.
Where to buy from?
An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.