Alexander McCall SmithThe Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case (Precious Ramotswe Mysteries for Young Readers)

Alexander McCall Smith is most famous for his "No. 1 Ladies Detective Series." However, Smith has been writing books for children for a very long time. Always a terrific children's book writer, Smith decides this time to show the origins of his most popular and famous protagonist. In this wonderful children's book, Alexander McCall Smith goes backward in time to reveal the very inception of Mma Precious Ramotswe's origins as the great detective that she became.In this book, Mma Ramotswe's very first detective case is described. Apparently, the famous female detective had long been thinking about her future, even before this mystery found its way to her field of vision. In this book Precious (as she is not really a "Mma" yet, but only a child in school, finds herself trying to figure out who is stealing other children's sweet treats. Several incidents of theft have occurred in the schoolhouse. The children are quick to blame a "rather round boy" for the thefts. Yet, Precious Ramotswe is not so quick to place blame. She believes it is important and even necessary for one to have proof of an indiscretion before jumping to a conclusion as to who the thief may be. In accordance with her beliefs, Precious designs a plan to catch the thief. It is a plan of great originality and more than that, it works. The culprit is exposed.Yet as is usual for Mr. Smith's books of mystery and imagination, he does not neglect his ethical elements which are always a concern for this brilliant author's books. As an expert in ethics, Smith concentrates on the ethical or unethical behavior of some children. After all, children who act unethically will probably grow up to be unethical adults. Therefore, why not look to the very roots of ethical and appropriate social behavior at tender ages to try and figure out why some people turn out to be unethical adults. This book is truly no exception and Mr. Smith not only takes great care and pains to illustrate this in his story, but in an unusual "Note" to his readers at the end of the book, he makes this aspect of his plot perfectly clear; just in case a reader may have missed in while reading this wonderful children's story. He explains that "... of course the issues that arise in that context are the same as those that arise in an adult mystery: honesty and dishonesty, friendship, suspicion and so on."While all of Smith's books pay attention to ethical behavior, it is continually surprising that so many readers and reviewers seem to overlook this aspect of this brilliant author's novels. But in the context of this children's story, Smith makes it near impossible to miss these elements. And for those who actually still miss it, he writes his note to the reader at the end of the book so it is just not possible for them to have overlooked the aspects of ethical behavior in life at all ages and in all places.The book is very highly recommended to readers of every age, from 4 years old to 104 years old. In addition, the book has tremendous appeal because of the extensive success of his "No. 1 Ladies Detective Series" which was even made into a television series on cable TV. For those readers who enjoy mystery stories and for those readers who have enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith's adult novels and mysteries, this book puts everything in perspective. For lest we forget, in the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah states: "... and a little child shall lead them." Do not miss the opportunity to read this book to yourselves as well as to your children and grandchildren. It is a wonderful story with terrific ethical lessons to teach.

Having read and loved all of Smith's books for adults, I decided to purchase the Kindle version to read with my 7 year old daughter. We were not disappointed. The books is short, but very well written and a nice introduction to a setting unfamiliar to her. Young Precious is perfectly depicted, and the mystery itself has a fun and creative solution. Highly recommended, as are all of this wonderful's author's writings. (If you have not seen his website, do look! You can sign up for an email list to receive periodic updates about his fascinating and extraordinarily busy life! It is hard to believe one person can accomplish as much as Smith does!). The cute illustrations showed up nicely on the Kindle, though I haven't seen the paper version so have no basis of comparison.

Even for pre-adolescents, McCall Smith never disappoints. I love his writing style, for younger readers, which still preserves the excellent form able to be executed only by AMcS: descriptive, intriguing, and gently amusing.I was surprised that the whole thing was over in about the time it took to read only a chapter of one of his regular books. I had hoped to get a more lasting experience for $6. I suppose that for a beautiful, giftable, hardback book with lovely African etching prints such a book would be well worth the price; mine, however, was simply a Kindle download. When I buy more of these, they will all be the hardback versions, if possible.

Here's a gentle tale told for children - but which age of little girls? It's a mystery whose clue is given in its illustrations. Precious is the star in this moral story set in a Botswanan school. I got the feeling that the author would love to go back to the time and the place of his younger days."Don't draw wrong conclusions based on too few clues", I hear him say. The end is a tiny surprise, but most of the problem-solving is pretty well spelled out.The author must have had a special child in mind when he told the story. But who is its reader?

I enjoyed the book, even though I am sure I am a very older adult. The best part about the book was the moral to the story: "don't judge a book by the cover". In this case - don't judge people by size, shape, physical characteristics, etc., which has become way too prevalent in our society. I enjoyed the book and its message, and if I had grandchildren young enough to read it, I would certainly make it avavilable to them. I do recommend it for children under 10.

The Great Cake Mystery is much better in book form than it is in the CD currently available. The author is writing down to children in this one, and Adjoa Andoh's reading brings it to a level where he is talking down to 3-year-olds. The basic story line is excellent, but the author should write in less of a "precious" style - children do not need to be "talked down to," and he is certainly capable of reaching them without the slightly condescending and preachy tone. The reading on the CD was a total disappointment to me - I've been spoiled by the beautiful readings by Lisette Lecat for this series. She does accents easily, handles multiple accents beautifully, and is a delight to listen to. Adjoa Andoh may be the reader of choice for the United Kingdom, but it seemed to me the accents were forced, and were a challenge for her to do. She seemed very conscious that this was a book for children, and she does not appear to be comfortable talking to children. I won't buy anything again where she is the reader.Stay with the printed version of this one - unless they get Lisette Lecat to record it. I'll buy anything with Lisette as the reader.

I thought it was creative, because the girl was the main character. I also like how Alexander McCall Smith did her first mystery case. I also thought that it was pretty funny how one one of the boys would hide a lot of pieces of candy in his pocket.

This is a lovely book which is very suitable for seven and upwards. A gentle and well written story teaching the value of friendship and not jumping to conclusions.

Great little book for my 10 year old son. He loved it.

I read it first but it was not as good as other books by this author. He does not seem to write for children as well as he does for adults (in my humble opinion anyway).

The book was well written,but obviously for a more junior reader,however I did enjoy it ,as I do with A.McCall Smiths stories.

Ok but not as good as earlier books of his