Nanette’s Baguette succeeds through rhythmic tongue twisters and the hilariously dramatic portrayal of a relatable mistake. The story uses expressive characters and cardboard sets to turn the struggle against temptation into a playful, shared experience. Books in this family share a focus on emotional resilience, exuberant rhymes, and a reassuring resolution to high stakes childhood blunders.
Reach for this book when your child has made a mistake and is paralyzed by the heavy weight of guilt or 'the big oops.' It provides a gentle, humorous landing pad for kids who are learning to navigate new responsibilities and the inevitable temptations that come with them. The story follows Nanette, a young frog who is trusted with a trip to the bakery, only to find the warm, crunchy baguette simply too delicious to resist. Mo Willems uses exuberant rhyming wordplay to de-escalate the tension of making a mistake. It is an ideal choice for preschoolers and early elementary students because it mirrors their own struggle with impulse control. Parents will find this an invaluable tool for demonstrating that while actions have consequences, love and forgiveness are always the final course. It transforms a moment of shame into a shared laugh and a lesson in resilience.
