This big-hearted picture book captures the warmth and fun of a spontaneous summer’s day with friends, where one lovely activity leads to another until they all go back home to bake a cake (two cakes!) to finish.

In this domino story, Raccoon decides to bake an apple cake. But he has no eggs, so visits his friend Fox, who needs a ladder to mend the roof. Badger will have one, but he needs help too, so they set off to find Bear. They stroll through meadows, meet up with Crow, nibble blackberries and find Bear fishing at the river. Soon the five friends are having the best day out-the sun shining on their fur, fishing, swimming, picnic and finally home to bake the cake-two cakes, because bears have big appetites.

A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends is a picture book to instantly capture the heart. Laconic narration, funny dialogue and exquisite illustrations tell the story of a carefree childhood day.

Philip Waechter is one of Germany’s leading children’s author/illustrators with a beautifully classic illustration style.

Happy and Healthy category finalist, Teach Early Years Awards 2022.