About The Story

Leola Bakes was inspired by the author Stephanie K. Dunlap’s grandmother, Leola. As a little girl, I loved listening to my grandmother’s stories and reading the two books that became my childhood favorites. Most Sundays, my grandparents, their eleven children, my mother Barbara (the oldest), their spouses, and eighteen grandchildren gathered for dinner at my grandparents’ home in the Bronx, New York.

While the younger children sat in a circle on the kitchen floor listening to my grandfather’s stories or his trumpet tunes, I often peeked over at my grandmother in her favorite apron, baking her much‑loved biscuits. She always kept them warm and fresh in a special stainless‑steel pot so the whole family could reach in and take a few home. My aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and I still talk about those biscuits and the joy of those Sundays together. Her recipe remains a mystery…no one ever discovered the “secret ingredient” that made them so special.

Now, I invite you to gather your own family and friends and enjoy baking the Breakfast Biscuits and Le Ola Beurre Biscuits from my book… and don’t forget to add a dash of your very own “secret ingredient.”

And there’s even more to look forward to. The Leola Bakes Series follows Leola as she travels the world, discovering new cultures, new friends, and new recipes, each adventure inspired by the warmth, creativity, and family traditions that shaped my childhood. From Paris to Australia and beyond, every book brings fresh treats, fun facts, and heartwarming moments that celebrate storytelling, baking, and the magic of sharing food with the people you enjoy and love.

“Travel the world, one recipe at a time. Inspired by family. Shared with love.”

— Stephanie K. Dunlap

 

Join Leola as she travels the world, makes new friends, learns new words and cultures while reinforcing her reading, math and science skills through the art of baking. 

Leola is inspired by her mother’s love of baking and more important how the two share that love with each other by building memories and enjoying family time, through their Saturday ritual of baking the “Breakfast Biscuits”.

Leola is excited about her adventures! In her travels she has the opportunity to meet new people! She is always eager to learn new recipes from other cities or countries while having fun sharing her own recipes! 

What is a recipe?

A recipe is a list of instructions for preparing and or creating a particular baked product or dish, that includes a formula of required ingredients. Leola likes to add a secret ingredient to her recipes. 

Reading and Baking:

Learn to read while baking! Have your child choose a recipe they’d like. Let them read the recipe from start to finish first. If they don’t know how to read yet, you or someone else can read it for them. Have them respond by repeating or echoing the recipe. Have them check off each step and each added ingredient. This will help them identify and teach them new words. Leola always helped her mother in the kitchen. When she was very young, she enjoyed putting on one of her mother’s favorite apron’s. Then she would help by putting the bowls or spoons on the table or counter, when she grew tall enough to reach it. 

Math and Baking:

Ask these questions. What is the shape of the product I will bake? A square, a circle, a rectangle or a triangle? How many of my baked product will my recipe make? Six (6), twelve (12), twenty-four (24)?

When measuring the required ingredients, be sure to pour or add the exact amount into your measuring cup or measuring spoons. Leola’s Breakfast Biscuits have a round shape and her Le Ola Biscuits have a triangle shape.

Science and Baking:

Baking is a science! Whether it’s liquid or dry form, carefully measure your ingredients. The exact measurement will create the right balance for your baked product. When you’re ready, like Leola you can add your very own ‘secret ingredient’!

A child’s age will determine how much participation they can handle through the art of baking. Be creative, they can enjoy baking at almost any age!