It is understandable that if a girl’s name is beauty, she is going to be teased about it, especially when she is no beauty in the physical sense. But for Beauty, our heroine of the book Cookie, by Jacqueline Wilson, things are not too great at home either due to her eccentric father’s strict rules at home.

It is Beauty’s mum, Dilly, who fills up her life with lots of love and happiness. And when things get very unpleasant one day at home after beauty had just celebrated a lavish birthday with her friends, both Beauty and her mum run away from home. The rest of the story is both poignant and fun-filled as they strive to make a living in a tranquil seaside setting.

The book is as much a journey in self-discovery and attainment of confidence and dreams for Beauty as it is for her mum. Dilly discovers a flair for baking and the two soon enjoy making a living out of baking cookies and experiencing new adventures.

The narration is simple but vivid, with well-rounded and delightful characters having real life insecurities and anxieties that readers will enjoy reading about.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 3rd, 2018