26 November,2025 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak Siddiqi
Aria’s adventures are illustrated by Nirupama Vishwanath
Here's a thing no one tells you about 10-year-old girls - they dream with their eyes wide open, because magic is real when you haven't learned to doubt it yet. When our in-house reviewer (read: 10-year-old), Faria Siddiqi, came across chef-entrepreneur Pooja Dhingra and author-journalist Stuti Agarwal's book, Aria and the Magic Apron (Juggernaut Books), she read it with fervour, albeit with a critical reviewer's hat.
The review
Illustrations Courtesy/Nirupama Vishwanath Juggernaut Books
The title draws me in, but it's Nirupama Vishwanath's striking cover illustration that makes me want to dive into the book immediately. The story follows Aria, a young girl who loves baking but isn't very good at it. When she learns that her idol, Pari Doshi (PD) - possibly based on Pooja Dhingra - will judge her school bake-off, Aria must participate in the contest.
Ten-year-old Faria reviews the book
Her first round went well until a silly mistake ruined it, leaving her in tears. That's when she discovers the magical apron. At first, she believes the apron is just a ridiculous gift to make her feel better, but when she wears it to the second round, her cheesecake turns out perfect! Aria excels in the third round too, making a puffy choux pastry, and she feels more confident in herself than ever.
The story captures the struggles of a young aspiring baker
On a happy morning, Aria makes some French toast with berry compote and whipped cream. No, she did not want simple, old, boring jam toast. She could never fail; no matter how complicated the recipe was, as long as she had her apron on her side! But the question was, would she have the apron with her till the finals? Read the book to find out what happens next!
Aside from the illustrations, the book also offers helpful baking tips
Also, because it is a treat to read, it perfectly portrays the struggles of young aspiring bakers through the protagonist, and it tempts you to look up a recipe and start baking (or ordering it, if you aren't into baking like I am). I loved how the book has helpful baking tips at the end of every chapter. Plus points for that.
Pooja Dhingra. Pic/Satej Shinde
Overall, the book is light-hearted, cute, and delightful. Aria is adorable with her doughnut earrings and wild curls, but it's her determination and resilience - that little fire that sparks every time she bakes, even when everything goes wrong - that makes her unforgettable. Although I feel that the illustrations should have been in colour - especially since it's a children's book (well, adults can read it too on a day when nothing seems to go their way) - they are also appealing.
If I were a patisserie chef for a day, the top things on my baking wishlist are choco-chip cookies and brownies. What's not to love about chewy cookies with gooey, yummy choco-chips and chocolate-y, melt-in-mouth brownies? I'm super-excited to head to the kitchen!
Available amazon.in
