This book makes me wish I were teaching science again! It is such a fun approach to learning about simple machines. The clever mice Ginger and Mac use simple machines to steal a delicious cupcake and sneak it back to their cozy mousehole. The story is goofy and silly, but the science is well explained with relevant, real-world examples. I could totally see reading this with a group of students and then asking them to create their own “Operation Cupcake.”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book is a fun object lesson in the functions of simple machines. We learn about the mechanics of each type of machine and how they make work easier. Edlund also goes beyond the very basics, showing how modifications allow us to do more complicated work. There is a simple plot with a two-fold payout: first the mice get their cupcake and then there is a humorous reveal as the humans discover the fallout of the titular operation. The text is well supported by cartoon illustrations. This is a great way to supplement your kid's science lesson.

This book has a lot of words on each page and is not very engaging for kids. There is a mission and obstacles to use simple machines to get the cupcake with animals as the obstacles.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for this science lesson disguised as a cupcake caper!

This was a great introduction to simple machines! There were easily reproducible “make it yourself” pages, a cute story, and lots of information about simple and complex machines.

Brilliant! Definitely one for us to get for school. This book works on so many levels. If you forget the science entirely, it's a fun, comic-style story about two clever mice beating the odds to get the pink cupcake they desire. In addition, the book has detailed and simple explanations for how different machines work and so can be used for reference. Then there are the useful everyday examples of where we see these machines and finally, there are activities you can do to try out the machines for yourself.

This book manages to do so much and fit in so much information bit somehow doesn't feel at all complicated or overwhelming, despite not avoiding technical terminology or complicated ideas.

I can see this book being extremely useful and enjoyable in the classroom and am sure children will be using class 1 levers (rulers) with a fulcrum (pencil sharpener) to launch the load (rubbers, pen lids etc!) across the classroom in no time!

Operation Cupcake blends a fictional story with facts about simple machines. Each section of the book shows the reader one step in the plan two mice have to get a cupcake. Each step includes one simple machine. Side characters (dog and cat) add humour and a few surprises to the story.

The fictional story is told in illustrations and speech bubbles, which is a popular format for young readers. Although predictable, the story is still entertaining because of the humour and strong voice of the two mice characters.

The information about simple machines is well explained with excellent support illustrations highlighting simple machines in daily life, diagrams, and a hands-on experiment. At times, the long text explanations slow down the reading and may become cumbersome for younger readers.

This would be an great addition to a second grade classroom studying simple machines, as the educator could use the book to structure their daily lessons using the information and experiments in class. The longer text sections would need to be paraphrased for a younger audience, but provide excellent information for the educator.

This is a clever book that has series potential, if the mice go on other science-related adventures.

I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
A humorous story that introduces the six simple machines along with other engineering/physics terms. Readers meet Ginger and Mac, two mice who are hungry and want to retrieve a cupcake on the kitchen counter. Ginger is skilled at solving problems and finding tools to use. Mac is quick to assist her. Together, they cross the kitchen, avoid the cat, distract the dog and rig a system to get the cupcake out of the glass dome and home to their place. Informative text is included throughout the book so reader can learn more about the tools they choose and the ways they work. I appreciate the introductory level information for elementary readers. A fun story to share as a family or with a class.

This is book combines a cuts story about mice trying to get a cupcake, with physics principles to teach the reader about how to use simple machines and mechanics. This is really cool because it helps the reader visualize the actual methods of utilizing simple machines, and explains the different terms.

I highly recommend this book to get for your young reader to help foster an interest in physics and stem. This is sure to please their mind.

A children’s book that explains several basic physics/science/mechanic terms using the goal of two mice wanting to move a cupcake (that is on their humans counter) to their mouse home. The simple machines that are explained are the 1) inclined plane, 2) lever, 3) pulley, 4) wheel & axle, 5) screw and 6) wedge. Along the way there are easy experiments to demonstrate the mechanics that were described.

In reading Operation Cupcake it took me back to the basics of some of my high school and college courses. (Of course the equations were removed, but the concepts are solid.)

I really liked Operation Cupcake. I had requested (and been granted) access to read Operation Cupcake a while ago. (My young niece and nephew were visiting and I had hoped that there would have been time to read it with them; but alas there wasn’t quite enough time. While they were visiting I noticed how much my nephew enjoys non-fiction, even at age 4. I’m planning to purchase Operation Cupcake for him. I think he would enjoy it.)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review Operation Cupcake in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to publisher Kids Can Press for approving my NetGalley advance read copy request. And to author/illustrator Bambi Edlund … nicely done completing Operation Cupcake!

This picture book teaches kids about simple machines, using a story about mice as the framing device to illustrate basic concepts about physics. The mice want to eat a cupcake, but they have to get up onto the humans' kitchen counter, lift the heavy dome off the cake stand, and figure out a way to transport the cupcake back down to the floor to take it home. This book follows each stage of the process, showing how the mice use simple machines like pulleys and levers to solve each problem that arises. Nonfiction sidebars explain how each process works.

This is a creative way to introduce kids to concepts from physics, and the story-driven aspect will appeal to kids who might otherwise glaze over a STEM lesson. However, even though this is really cute, I don't like the fact that the story revolves around stealing. Of course, the characters are mice, but because they have human-like characteristics in the story, their actions look like deliberate thievery. If I were using this with kids, I would make it a teaching opportunity about not taking things that don't belong to them.

Operation Cupcake is an amazing book about machines and how they work.

Okay, it's really about cupcakes. But you know what they say, it's all about the journey, not the destination! Gingersnap and Macaroon, two mice, decide they want the cupcakes that are up on the counter after the humans leave for the day. We get to help them build simple machines in order to make the job easier!

This book is a fantastic introduction to simple machines: inclined planes, levers, pulleys, wheel and axles, screws, and wedges. We get to see each of these in action as we work together with Gingersnap and Macaroon to get our paws on those delicious cupcakes. This book should be in every classroom, school, and library. If your child has ever asked "why" or "how," you should get them this book!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advanced review copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review on the book!

While reading this book I couldn't help but think, "Man, I really need to buy this for the elementary STREAM classroom!" This story is a wonderful intro to simple machines. A perfect addition to any home school's curriculum. It could also pair nicely with lessons found in the cubscout handbooks, multiple age levels could utilize this.

The storyline was cute. But, this book really goes above your average children's story by including every day easy examples and ideas so that your child can view simple machines in their every day world; while also giving them instructions on how to make their very own machines, such as catapults and little box car.

Thank you to NetGalley, along with the Publisher for the eARC. This is an adorable book that would be a great resource for an introduction to simple machines. I like how the book shows common simple machines that children may see in their everyday life. I also love how the author gives ideas on how to make their own simple machine at home.

I read this with my nephew, and he loved it! He really loved the illustrations the most and was rooting for the mouse the whole time. I thought it was creative and informative. I think it’s great for helping kids understand teamwork on top of physics and simple machinery. Such a fun read!

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publishers, for granting me access to an arc of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

I read this to my son while we were out fishing! He loved the end and thought it was funny! It’s very informative! A lot of information!

Great children's book that teaches about the six simple machines and how they work. This book uses different animals to show the different concepts of mechanical physics.

4 Stars

I really liked the approach of this book took on STEM activities involving physics and dynamics. It did it in a really fun way of how do two mice get the cup cake stealth like and don't alert the two obstacles. Its a mission they take on and they have to use critical thinking to do so.

I really liked that within the story they talk about the topic and then show how you could try it in your own home. It explains the goal, the device/machine, and how to try it in a clear explanation and with pictures. The illustrations are fun and does a great job showing the story and how they all tie together. The best part is these experiments are all using tools that are readily available and that most people have on hand.

I would recommend this book to any home school or classroom setting for elementary age or higher.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.littlest.bookworm and retail sites close or on publication.

What a fun and creative story! Our grandson loved sharing it with Papa and then they went on a treasure hunt to recreate what they had read about. Thanks #NetGalley