Pancakes for Breakfast – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Pancakes for Breakfast

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

84%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A wordless classic where a determined old lady battles missing eggs and naughty pets to make pancakes—perfect for budding storytellers.

Pancakes for Breakfast

book

2018

84%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A wordless classic where a determined old lady battles missing eggs and naughty pets to make pancakes—perfect for budding storytellers.

4.7

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a sweet, low-stakes classic that does exactly what it sets out to do: give young kids a chance to practice storytelling while watching a determined old lady navigate pancake chaos. The wordless format is its superpower—kids get to be the narrator, which builds confidence and language skills.

That said, it's not going to blow anyone's mind. The plot is simple, the humor is gentle, and the 1970s-era illustrations (even color-enhanced) feel vintage. Some kids will love the cozy, old-fashioned vibe; others might need a little nudge to stay engaged. It's a solid pick for bedtime or classroom circle time, but not a must-have unless you're specifically looking for wordless books or Tomie dePaola completionism.

Bottom line: A reliable, wholesome choice for the youngest readers, but it won't be the book your kid begs for on repeat.

Age Fit

Best for ages 3-7, especially kids in the pre-reading to early-reading stage. The wordless format is perfect for practicing storytelling and sequencing, but older kids will outgrow the simple plot quickly.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A gentle, humorous story about persistence and problem-solving. The little old lady faces setbacks (missing ingredients, mischievous pets) but keeps trying—a wholesome model of determination without any frustration or negativity. The tone is warm and patient, perfect for young kids.

Imaginative

As a wordless picture book, it actively invites kids to narrate their own version of the story, interpret facial expressions, and fill in details. DePaola's illustrations are charming and detailed enough to spark observation and storytelling. The format itself is imaginative—no two readings will be exactly alike.

Safe

Completely safe. No concerning content whatsoever—just a woman, some pets, and pancake-making mishaps. The humor is gentle slapstick (pets causing trouble). As a book, there are zero privacy, monetization, or platform concerns. A Common Core exemplar text signals educational trust.

Enriching

Teaches sequencing, cause-and-effect, and narrative structure through pictures alone—strong pre-reading skills. Kids learn persistence and problem-solving as the protagonist adapts to obstacles. However, it's a simple, sweet story without deep themes or major cognitive challenge beyond its wordless format. Entertaining and educational for the K-1 set, but not transformative.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Wordless format lets kids narrate their own version—builds confidence and creativity in pre-readers
Models persistence and problem-solving through gentle, funny obstacles (pets steal ingredients, things go wrong)
Tomie dePaola's warm illustrations are detailed enough to reward multiple readings
Common Core exemplar text for K-1, so teachers love it for sequencing and cause-and-effect lessons
Amazon 4.7/5 rating with parents reporting it's a family favorite that sparks conversation

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What to Watch For

It's wordless—some kids love the freedom to tell their own story, others may need prompting or get frustrated without text
Originally 1978, updated in 2018—the art style and pacing feel vintage, which is charming but may not grab every modern kid
Very simple plot—older preschoolers or kindergarteners may find it too basic after a few reads

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the lady is feeling when the dog knocks over the milk?"
"Can you tell me the story in your own words? What happens first, next, and last?"
"Have you ever tried to make something and it didn't work out? What did you do?"
"Why do you think the pets are causing so much trouble? Are they being naughty or just playful?"
"What would you do if you were trying to make pancakes and ran out of eggs?"

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