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The Secret Ingredient
Follows Pringle and Finn as they deliver birthday cakes to their colorful animal friends. Along the way, our lovable penguins discover the "secret ingredients" to a happy family. Hardback 7" x 9" Print 36 pages Full Color English Reading 3-7 years Paul Castle Studio Publication 2023 The Secret Ingredient is a picture book for ALL ages. Ideal for celebrating birthdays, congratulating new parents, or anyone in search of their "secret ingredient."
36 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2023
About the author
Paul Castle
28 books57 followersPaul Castle is a naturalized US Citizen. Born in Canada Paul now lives in the Pacific Northwest with his husband Matthew. The two are active You-Tube and Tik Tok content creators with most of their content centering on Paul's and Matthew's life together, Paul's impending blindness due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, and his guide dog Maple.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 28, 2024
It's a really cute story with beautiful illustrations. The fact that Paul can draw at this level with only 10% eyesight is incredible and shows that nothing is impossible with enough determination and heart.
December 8, 2023
Absolutely adorable little story! The illustrations are incredible! I follow Paul (and Matthew of course) on TikTok, & watching him create these beautiful drawings while dealing with 90% vision loss is amazing. He was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa which is incurable, but it doesn’t stop him from following his dreams and doing what he loves. If you are ever in need of a laugh or a smile, look them up. You won’t regret it! Plus, you might get to see Mr Maple who is simply adorable. Hoping he gets his own book soon!
November 11, 2024
(ATY): 18. A book with a botanical cover
(Popsugar): 8. Un libro escrito por un autor ciego o con problemas visuales
(Popsugar): 8. Un libro escrito por un autor ciego o con problemas visuales
June 25, 2024
Pringle and Finn make special cakes, and each one has a secret ingredient. The secret ingredient tends to be just what the party guests need.
From courageous crocodiles to patient sloths, this book has a lot of fun characters, all crafted with a cozy art style. The ending is sweet and satisfying, perfect for a book about cakes.
From courageous crocodiles to patient sloths, this book has a lot of fun characters, all crafted with a cozy art style. The ending is sweet and satisfying, perfect for a book about cakes.
July 14, 2024
4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this sequel to “The Pengrooms.” Perfect choice for Pride Month and a book children I watch really enjoyed. So happy for them making a change to their lives. The illustrations are still super cute. Definitely hope there would be another book with the penguin family.
I really enjoyed this sequel to “The Pengrooms.” Perfect choice for Pride Month and a book children I watch really enjoyed. So happy for them making a change to their lives. The illustrations are still super cute. Definitely hope there would be another book with the penguin family.
October 8, 2024
When Paul first posted on TikTok the video of his book being “banned” and returned by a bookseller, I immediately ordered a copy for our family. I’ve been growing our 3-year-old’s library, and I try to include as much as I can that fosters empathy, inclusivity and diversity. As a cishet white person, I think it’s important for her to see that not all families look like ours, and that’s okay! Well, after over three months of waiting, the book FINALLY made it! (Did I mention it sold out?!) Let’s just say it was an instant hit! The illustrations are darling, the story is sweet, and the message is simple: love.
August 1, 2024
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Another adorable cake-themed adventure featuring Pringle and Finn. In this one, the penguin couple delivers various birthday cakes to their animal friends until it's time for a very special birthday cake and a new addition to the family.
Sweet artwork with lovely details. A gentle story that makes for a soothing read.
These two are so cute and I love getting little glimpses into their lives.
Another adorable cake-themed adventure featuring Pringle and Finn. In this one, the penguin couple delivers various birthday cakes to their animal friends until it's time for a very special birthday cake and a new addition to the family.
Sweet artwork with lovely details. A gentle story that makes for a soothing read.
These two are so cute and I love getting little glimpses into their lives.
September 30, 2024
i bought this specifically because i loved the concept of an inclusive children’s book that highlights and normalizes all types of families. the target audience is kids who have 2 moms, 2 dads, etc. Paul has lost 90% of his vision and yet still managed to draw such beautiful illustrations. i love watching Paul, Maple (his guide dog) and Matthew’s tiktoks. when he posted the video talking about the bookstore that wanted to return the 100 copies they ordered because the content “didn’t adhere to their policies”, i knew i needed a copy for myself. this book was SO sweet and adorable. 5 stars
July 21, 2024
Youtube’s algorithm suggested a video of the author talking about how this book had been banned by a bookstore. So of course I read it, and I have to say, it is so cute. Among the cuter children’s books I’ve read. It’s about two penguins who bake and deliver cakes for birthdays. It is LGBTQ friendly, which I suppose is why it got banned, but honestly, it’s just a cute children’s book with a good message.
September 9, 2024
This was a super sweet story with love and creativity strongly represented. The sloth family made me grin extra too but what blows my mind is that Paul illustrated this book too. He has lost nearly all of his vision due to a eye condition yet has these amazing detailed illustrations throughout. I've seen videos where he explains the creative and resourceful ways he utilizes to view art. Now I want to know more about how he creates art.
June 19, 2024
This one was super cute as well!!
I absolutely love how paul can bring the characters to life. And make the cakes super personalized
This time, they’re making birthday cakes. At each delivery, they learn how to do something by tapping into a certain quality (known as the secret ingredient)
Until the last delivery is a BIRTH day cake!! 🥺❤️
I absolutely love how paul can bring the characters to life. And make the cakes super personalized
This time, they’re making birthday cakes. At each delivery, they learn how to do something by tapping into a certain quality (known as the secret ingredient)
Until the last delivery is a BIRTH day cake!! 🥺❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2024
Absolutely amazing book. We read this with the girlscouts and the representation from this book really helped a few of the kids move past their insecurities of their home lives. Getting a copy for my cousins when I can, but it is definetly worth the read.
Happy Pride!
🌈 🏳️🌈 🌈
Happy Pride!
🌈 🏳️🌈 🌈
June 26, 2024
I'm buying a copy for our library. Some book store jerks bought 100 copies from him, then wanted a full refund. I hope he sells out of this printing and needs to make another edition.
https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewandpau...
https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewandpau...
September 7, 2024
A sweet story for children. The story is simple, sweet and the illustrations is nice and colorful.
The most surprising thing is the illustrator is legally blind.
Nice for him to realize his dream.
The most surprising thing is the illustrator is legally blind.
Nice for him to realize his dream.
September 30, 2024
Just got it in the mail today, and it’s absolutely one of the cutest children’s books I’ve ever read. The story is so sweet and the art is so fun and creative. Will definitely be reading it to the kiddos in my life!
December 15, 2023
Seriously, cutest book EVER.
The art is gorgeous, and the story warms our hearts.
I’m already imagining reading it to my grandkids, while my daughrer is only nine years old :)
Perfect !
The art is gorgeous, and the story warms our hearts.
I’m already imagining reading it to my grandkids, while my daughrer is only nine years old :)
Perfect !
January 25, 2024
This is such a beautiful follow up to the brilliant first book in the series. I adore these so much! Gorgeous artwork, wonderful message, and adorable story!
February 7, 2024
Cute second book about the lovely bakjng penguin couple
June 21, 2024
Disclaimer: this is a review bomb as a response to the intolerant people who banned this book because it violates their "policy". How does this book harm anyone honestly???
June 25, 2024
This book is too cute!
June 26, 2024
Nicely drawn and with a nice message about accepting different types of families, but the central conceit of the special ingredients doesn't really work, so the book doesn't flow.
June 26, 2024
Absolutely adorable! This book should be in schools and libraries everywhere, normalizing love & acceptance. What a great concept, too.
July 1, 2024
What a wonderful little book!
Families are made of all kinds of different ingredients and the most important one of all is LOVE.
Families are made of all kinds of different ingredients and the most important one of all is LOVE.
July 4, 2024
Super cute book about Penguins who make cakes with secret ingredients! ❤️
July 4, 2024
Loved the book. Super cute and the message is lovely! Will definitely recommend it to my relatives with children! :)
July 17, 2024
I am officially obsessed with Paul Castle and his creations. I hope he publishes more because I need to hear more from Pringle and Finn. Perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages.
July 24, 2024
Bought this book for my best friend’s kids! Read it to my wife and teenager during dinner and we loved the story and can’t wait to read it to our little friends!
September 5, 2024
Paul has done it again with another amazing children’s book that I’m so happy is out in the world, and I’m so grateful to have been able to experience!
October 5, 2024
The Secret Ingredient is LGBTQ friendly that got banned from a bookstore which is the reason I bought it. However it's just a cute children's book with a great message and gorgeous illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews