New children’s book has Sylvania bakery setting

Authors select Cake in a Cup on West Central Avenue

3/18/2013

In honor of National Reading Month, two area children’s book authors released a new book whose story is set in a Sylvania bakery on amazon.com last week.

The authors of Casey and Callie Cupcake chose Cake in a Cup, 6801 West Central Ave., as the setting of a tale about two cupcakes learning that what's on the inside is what counts most.

“Time after time we found that Cake in a Cup did community things and were always giving back,” author Joseph Kelley said about choosing to partner with the bakery.

Mr. Kelley, of Detroit, and author Nick Rokicki, a Toledo native, were eating black-bottom cupcakes when the idea for the book was conceived.

“I said to Nick that there was no frosting on top. He said, 'Well, eat it,' ” Mr Kelley said.

Once he took a bite into the cupcake, he realized its deliciousness was hidden inside.

“I thought this would be great for kids because it’s the inside that counts,” he said.

The original creations of Lori Jacobs and Dana Iliev come alive in the book.

Lexi the Lemon Cream Cupcake, Teena the Turtle Cupcake, and Billy the Black Bottom Cupcake all make appearances in the book, Ms. Jacobs said. She and Mrs. Iliev are recent winners of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.

The black-bottom cupcakes jump into the kitchen to sprinkle themselves with toppings. In the end, they realize they are perfect just the way they are, Ms. Jacobs explained.

Cake in a Cup will host a book signing March 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.