#Bookreview of Mika Makes it Work!
By: Amanda Aizu
Illustrated by: Edo Ward
Publisher: Blue Shiba Books
Publication Date: March 30, 2026
ISBN: 978-1-970849-03-5
Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose
Review Date: June 10, 2026
Mika Makes It Work! by Amanda Aizu is a story about a young girl who believes that every problem can be solved.
Mika is good at fixing things, be it broken toys, leaky watering cans, or even Grandpa’s squeaky glasses. She is always able to find a way to repair anything. She usually exclaims, “I’ll make it work!” before immediately plunging in to handle anything that needs fixing. One day, when her friend Kai’s birthday cake suddenly collapses in the middle, it is up to her to save the day. What follows is a series of increasingly ambitious and hilarious attempts to repair the cake, culminating in a lesson that sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones.
Mika’s determination and optimism are admirable, but what makes the story so engaging is seeing how some of her grand ideas spiral into unexpected chaos. With the invention of the impressive new gadget called the “Cake-Fixer 3000,” the situation soon turns into a ridiculous mess, as pancakes go flying and frosting splashes all over the place. This utterly silly and exaggerated sequence of events unfolding will undoubtedly amuse children and young readers. Its innate repetitive structure and playful sound effects add a lively rhythm that makes the book especially delightful during read-aloud sessions.
The illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, bringing Mika’s exciting personality to life through expressive characters and visual details akin to comic strip panels. Bright, cheerful scenes filled with frosting explosions, sticky mishaps, and funny reactions help maintain a light-hearted tone throughout the story. Even when things go completely haywire, the colorful graphics reassure the reader, ensuring that the experience remains pleasant rather than stressful, and encouraging children to laugh at mistakes rather than fear them.
What makes this book particularly appealing is the way it celebrates creativity while gently introducing the value of flexibility. Mika’s confidence and willingness to try new ideas are definitely qualities that deserve praise, but the story also demonstrates how solutions need not always take a complex route. With the help of her grandpa’s calm guidance, Mika eventually realizes this. This inspires children to take away the lesson that success can also come from adapting, simplifying, and working together. The transformation of the ruined cake into “Cake Surprise” serves as a charming reminder that unexpected outcomes can sometimes lead to even better results.
The author encourages children to embrace thinking creatively to solve problems and to approach challenges with confidence. At the same time, the story also teaches us resilience by showing that mistakes are not failures, but opportunities to learn and adjust. Mika’s journey reinforces the importance of persistence, teamwork, and maintaining a positive attitude when things do not go according to plan. These valuable lessons are interlaced with humor and silliness within the story, making them easy for young readers to absorb and remember.
Quill says: Mika Makes It Work! is a wonderful story about creativity, perseverance, and accepting the fact that even when things go wrong, a little imagination can turn any problem into a sweet surprise.
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