Stephanie K. Dunlap

Leola Bakes In Paris, is about a young girl, named Leola, which is my grandmother’s name. Leola loves baking breakfast biscuits with her mother every Saturday morning. Leola created a ‘Secret Ingredient’ that she uses in the biscuit recipe. However, when she begins to setup her ingredients on the kitchen counter to bake the biscuits, she discovers she cannot find her secret ingredient. This discovery now begins a search throughout her home. In her search for the secret ingredient, she travels to Paris. When she arrives, she’s embraced with French culture. She’s now wearing a beret; meets a wonderful French family, bakes a delightful French cookie and learns French words. 

I was born and raised in New Jersey. As a little girl, I remember the frequent visits with my immediate and extended family, to my grandparent’s home in the Bronx, NY. The connection I had with my grandmother was wonderful. As I got older, I realized she was so many things. She was a mother of eleven children, grandmother to many, loved to go to church, a cook, a baker, a seamstress and a storyteller. Throughout the years, my siblings, other relatives and me, continue to talk about our visits, sharing our personal tales about how much we loved our gatherings that left us with such fond memories. What always stood out, was our love and appreciation for my grandmother’s biscuits. Unfortunately, my grandmother’s biscuit recipe remains a mystery, as not one family member knows the ‘secret’ to her special biscuit mix.

My goal as an author is to connect with an audience to inform, entertain and educate children in hopes of them appreciating my desire to bring them into the world of baking and discovering new culture from around the world. In doing so, I hope to always improve and expand my writing skills.

My target audience for Leola Bakes In Paris are children from the ages 4 and up. Reading Leola Bakes In Paris, will inspire children everywhere of this age to have a desire and excitement about baking and creating memories about spending time with family or friends in the kitchen.

Reading recipes will enhance their reading skills. If there is a child that happens to be at an age that they cannot read or are struggling to read; I’d like to encourage a guardian to read the recipe to them, and step by step have the child respond by saying it back to them. When measuring, have them participate by adding ingredients or helping to stir a mixture. Whether it’s liquid or dry form, it will help their math skills. Using the right amounts will give your recipe the right balance for the taste and consistency of your product. As you are focused on the clock, or setting a timer to make certain that your baked product won’t overcook or burn, this too is a form of math. The science behind it, will encourage children to change or create an ingredient or recipe to their very own liking, based on their own sense of smell or taste. 

Baking is exciting! If the finished product does not meet your expectations, like Leola did, come up with your own ‘secret ingredient’ and keep working at it until you discover the result you’re looking for!  Plan a ‘baking day’. Leola and her mother bake every Saturday. Together you can create fun memories and enjoy spending time with your family or friends; while enhancing your reading, math and science skills. 

Leola Bakes In Paris can be purchased on my website at www.leolabakes.com

So far, so good.  It's an exciting time. A school district recently sent a purchase order to order books for their elementary school students. We are excited about the future. 

As far as help goes, I think I'm okay at this time.

As a published author I would tell myself to continue to maintain the energy, confidence, perseverance and diligence when writing. To always focus on your audience, your readers. How do you want to grow as a writer? Who or what industry do you want to write for? Keep writing, no matter how long it takes to publish or get noticed to the world.

Thank you for the opportunity. It was my pleasure!