Monster Doughnuts - Gianna Pollero

Book Summary

Ten-year-old Grace likes doughnuts and cakes as much as the next kid - but they are also her secret weapon. Grace is a monster hunter who owns a bakery - and everyone knows how much monsters LOVE any kind of sweet treat! Just don't tell them about the secret exploding baking powder inside the doughnuts and the cookies ...

Want to rid your bedroom of a pesky Sock-Stealer? Sneak some Monster Exploder into a peanut butter and marmite cookie (their absolute favourite). Town being terrorised by a Snot-nosed Ogre? Defeat them with a killer mille-feuille, of course!

When Grace's Monster Scanning Machine alerts her to the doughnut-loving, people-eating, board-game-playing cyclops Mr Harris, she realises she's about to face her biggest challenge yet ...

Grace is an excellent monster hunter and her sister makes the absolute best ammunition at their bakery, Cake Hunters. 

"The smell of fresh bread, sweet pastries and rich coffee enveloped her, like a big hug, the moment she stepped in."

Luckily, most of the ammunition sounds absolutely delicious, lemon drizzle muffins, jam tarts and of course doughnuts. Though there are also a few not-so-yummy ones, broccoli macarons, peanut butter and marmite cookies. There's just no accounting for a monster's tastes!

Monster sightings are on the rise and Grace has her work cut out for her when she comes across the huge, one-eyed, doughnut loving Mr Harris. He just won't stay exploded! However, when he inadvertently mentions her missing parents, Grace realises he may just be her way of finding out what happened to them. Is it possible for a monster to turn out to be an ally???

I really enjoyed reading about Grace's adventures. She's utterly fearless and a great role model. I am glad that this will be a series. If you find yourself facing a monster in future, just check the handy monster glossary at the end of the book!

Doughnut recipe

If you'd like to have a go at making your own doughnuts at home, here's a recipe guaranteed to help you fight off any monsters you find hiding under the bed.

Monster Sling

I decided to make my own concoction with all the sweet drinks ingredients I could find. There's no baking powder but I think it's sweet enough to explode some of the smaller monsters.*

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour over 1 shot each of vanilla vodka and apple sourz. Drizzle a little gingerbread syrup and give it a still with a bar spoon or other long spoon. Add half shot each of lemon juice and blue curacao. Stir again, then top with lemonade.

*No monsters were harmed in the making of this cocktail. Not even Sully (he's a good monster and can eat as many sweet treats as he likes).