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Sixty Cakes in the Bin — A Lena Story About Perfectionism (Ages 8–12)

Price range: 4.99 $ through 16.99 $

Digital Copy - Paperback

Age Group: 8–12 — and widely read by 13- and 14-year-olds who prefer short chapters and real situations
Join Lena, a relatable and courageous heroine, as she navigates perfectionism — the inner inspector that throws good work in the bin — in Sixty Cakes in the Bin, a children’s book about perfectionism that equips kids with the tools to think for themselves, value who they are, and make confident choices.

Why This Story Matters for Your Child:

1. Finished Beats Perfect
Lena learns that “finished” is sometimes the bravest word. Children learn to:
– Fix only the mistake that matters — not everything that bothers them.
– Stay firm against the urge to redo work that is already good.
– Move to the next step instead of staying stuck.

2. Kind Eyes on Your Own Work
The story replaces the harsh inner voice with a fair one. Children discover:
– The friend test: judge your own work the way you would judge a friend’s.
– Perfect-or-failure is a trick — thirty-eight out of forty is a ninety-five.
– Done work reaches real people; perfect work often never leaves the kitchen.

Please note that the additional description about the story is available below — important for parents.

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Paperback – free UK delivery, arrives in 4–8 days. Delivered inside the United Kingdom only.Digital copy – instant download, available worldwide.

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Description

What Makes This Story Unique?

– Told as Lena’s own funny, honest diary — children hear their inner critic named and disarmed.
– Gives children a memorable three-step tool: Fix, Stay, Move.
– Connects letting go of perfect with generosity — the imperfect cupcakes fund books for a classmate in need.

This story is a practical tool to help your child:

– Hand in work without endless redoing.
– Talk back to the “not good enough” voice.
– Set a “good enough” goal before starting — and celebrate finishing.

Sixty Cakes in the Bin isn’t just a book — it’s a bridge to meaningful conversations about values, courage and self-respect.
– Perfect for bedtime reading, but be sure to stop at the song right after the story ends — it reflects the story’s values and warms the heart before sleep. Activities and games can be saved for another time.
– Perfect for classroom discussions.

Key Features of the Book

– Interactive Game Zone: A purposeful, fun set of mind & visual games (a maze, spot-the-difference, a hidden-objects scene, a 4×4 sudoku, brain challenges, a number puzzle, a word whirl, riddles, a guessing game and a coloring page) starring characters children love.
– Creative Activities Corner: Drawing, role-play and writing exercises that deepen the story’s morals.
– Discussion Prompts: Thought-provoking questions that spark meaningful parent-child conversations.
– Moral Theme Song: An original, catchy song (“Fix, Stay, Move”) whose lyrics align with the story’s core message.
– Illustrated Image Gallery: Vibrant artwork of key moments to inspire reflection.
– Parent’s Companion Guide: Practical tips to foster the story’s value at home.
– Quotes & Dialogues: Lines that model healthy behavior and independent thinking.
– Connect with Lena: Children can safely share their thoughts with Lena by email.
– Child-Tested & Approved: Refined with children’s feedback for relatability and impact.

Storytelling Style:

– Clear, age-appropriate language for 8–12-year-olds.
– Focus on real-world problem-solving without fantasy elements.
– Encourages parent-child bonding through shared reading and activities.
This book aligns with moral parenting values — both an enjoyable read and a valuable experience.
Pages: 46
Finished Size: 229mm x 152mm

Paperback Specifications

– Pages: 74
– Text Stock: 115gsm Coated
– Finished Size: 229mm x 152mm (US Royal)
– Cover Stock: Cover Board
– Binding: Perfect Bound
– Lamination: Matte

Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is Sixty Cakes in the Bin for?
It is written for children aged 8–12, and widely read by 13- and 14-year-olds who prefer short chapters, in clear, age-appropriate language with real, relatable situations and no fantasy.

What will my child learn from this story?
To finish instead of endlessly redoing: fix what matters, quiet the “not good enough” voice, and celebrate done.

Is this a digital book or a paperback?
Both. You can choose an instant Digital copy or a printed Paperback edition at checkout.

What is included besides the story?
An interactive game zone, a creative-activities corner, discussion prompts, an original moral theme song, an illustrated image gallery, and a Parent’s Companion Guide.

Is it suitable for bedtime reading?
Yes. For bedtime, read up to the song right after the story ends, and save the games and activities for another time.

Listen to the opening chapters — free

Prefer to listen first? This is the free read-aloud of Sixty Cakes in the Bin, read by a professional narrator, with chapter markers. It covers the opening chapters and stops at the turning point — the ending is in the book.

Is this suitable for a 13 or 14 year old?

Yes. The story is written for ages 8–12, which is where most readers start it, but the situations — group chats, reputation, being talked about at school — land just as hard at 13 and 14. Older readers who find long novels heavy often finish this in one sitting, which is exactly the point.

One of our books about big feelings — this one is about never feeling good enough

Parents looking for books about big feelings usually mean anger or sadness. The feeling in Sixty Cakes in the Bin is quieter and harder to name: the voice that says not good enough, do it again. Lena bakes sixty cakes chasing it. The story gives her — and your child — three words to use instead: bear it, fix it, move on.

What age is this book for?

Ages 8–12. Perfectionism shows up early, so it reads well as books for 8 year olds and books for 9 year olds, and it matters most as books for 10 year olds, books for 11 year olds and books for 12 year olds, when marks and comparison arrive. Readers of 13 and 14 recognise the voice at once. Wider lists: books for 9 year olds and books for 11 year olds.

Is it a chapter book?

Yes — a short illustrated chapter book at 229 x 152 mm; the printed page count is in the specifications above. It is far lighter than most chapter books for 9 year olds, which is exactly why reluctant readers finish it.

Ebook or paperback?

Both are offered at checkout. The digital edition is a children’s ebook available the moment you order, on any device, anywhere. The paperback is printed and delivered inside the United Kingdom.

Buying more than one

Combine any 3, 6 or 10 titles into a children’s book bundle and the price per book falls at each step — build your bundle.

Additional information

Weight N/A
Book type

Digital copy, Paperback, Audiobook

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