A Plate of Yeast
Ada is a curious girl who loves spending time in the kitchen and leafing through Grandma Rose's old recipe book. One day, a little recipe she tries turns into a surprise far bigger, and far more fun, than she ever expected! Together with a new friend who fills the kitchen with joy, Ada sets off on an extraordinary adventure full of giggle-filled mix-ups, little mistakes, and unforgettable moments. Because sometimes the very best recipes aren't made with just the right ingredients, but with a sprinkle of understanding and a spoonful of friendship. A heartwarming tale of love, patience, and the joy of learning together, A Plate of Yeast invites children into a cozy kitchen story that smells of flour and bubbles over with laughter.
Free story — no account needed to read it.
15 Minutes
3 Endings
7-11
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About This Story
“A Plate of Yeast” is an interactive adventure story for children aged 7-11, about 15 minutes long. The reader decides how it goes at 6 choice points, and there are 3 different endings. It is free to read on Kitapz, with no account needed.
- Age range
- 7-11 years
- Reading time
- about 15 minutes
- Genre
- Adventure
- Format
- Interactive · 6 choice points · 3 endings
- Language
- English, Turkish
- Access
- Free, no account needed
- Characters
- Ada, Puff, Rory, Grandma Rose
- Reading support
- dyslexia-friendly font, bionic reading, color-blindness filters
An Excerpt from the Story
Ada:
“Okay, Ada, you need to get these cookies in the oven before Grandma gets here.”
Ada looks at the thick recipe book on the counter, full of determination.
Ada (thinking):
I can do it all by myself. My plan is perfect.
She flips quickly through the pages and finds the right recipe.
Ada:
“Here it is! Butter shortbread cookies... Now, how much flour did it need?”
Ada (thinking):
Will I be able to get everything right?
Ada opens the book and hurries to mix the ingredients.
Ada:
“A pinch of baking soda... Or was it a cup? Oh, I'll just add lots so they puff up nicely!”
She pours extra flour and baking soda into the bowl.
Ada (thinking):
Uh-oh, I think I used a bit too much...
“A Plate of Yeast” · Ages 7-11 · kitapz.com
school For Parents and Teachers
In this story, children meet Puff, a living dough boy who climbs out of Ada's bowl after she guesses at a recipe measurement. Readers' choices decide whether Ada, hiding Puff as he swells in the heat, shares her secret with her little brother Rory and Grandma. It opens up talk about careful reading, gentleness with living things and honesty.
What will children learn from this story?
- Learns why a recipe's measurements need to be read carefully rather than guessed.
- Learns that warmth makes dough puff up and that cooling it down slows the rise.
- Thinks about what it feels like to choose between keeping a secret and telling the truth.
- Realizes that a living creature is not a toy and can be scared or hurt.
Curriculum links: Science, Life skills, Maths
Fact Box
Is yeast alive?
Yes. Baker's yeast is a living, single-celled fungus. It breaks down sugar and gives off carbon dioxide gas, and the gas trapped inside the dough makes it rise.
Why does dough rise faster somewhere warm?
Yeast is more active in warm conditions and slows down when it is cool, so cold dough rises more slowly. Home bakers who want to slow the rise keep their dough in a fridge set at about 4 °C (40 °F).
Source: Wikipedia
How does baking soda make dough rise?
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is not alive like yeast. It releases carbon dioxide gas when it meets an acid, such as vinegar or the citric acid in lemon juice, or when it is heated above about 80 °C (180 °F), and the gas makes the mixture expand.
Source: Wikipedia
What happens if you use too much baking soda?
Baking soda that is not used up by an acid in the recipe turns into sodium carbonate in the heat of the oven. This gives baked goods a bitter, soapy taste and a yellowish color.
Source: Wikipedia
Reading Comprehension Questions (5W1H)
The questions cover the opening that every reader sees, whatever they choose. Tap a question to see the answer.
-
Who? Who climbs out of the bowl of dough, and what does Ada call him?
Answer: A fist-sized dough boy with two dots for eyes, and Ada names him Puff.
-
What? What recipe does Ada choose from the recipe book?
Answer: Butter shortbread cookies.
-
Where? Where does Puff find the socks he lines up all over the kitchen?
Answer: In the basket in the corner of the kitchen.
-
When? By when does Ada want to get the cookies in the oven?
Answer: Before Grandma gets there.
-
Why? Why does Ada pour in lots of baking soda?
Answer: She can't remember whether the recipe said a pinch or a cup, and she wants the cookies to puff up nicely.
-
How? How does the dough boy react when Ada steps back from him?
Answer: He waves at her and climbs out of the bowl with a great big smile.
Questions to Talk About After Reading
- When Rory turned up in the kitchen, did you have Ada introduce Puff to him or hide Puff even deeper? Why did you choose that way?
- At first Ada decides not to tell anyone about Puff. Have you ever found it hard to keep a secret? Which kinds of secrets do you think should always be told to a grown-up?
- Ada thinks she can do everything by herself. Do you like doing jobs on your own or with someone else? When do you ask for help?
- Have you ever rushed and guessed at a recipe, a game rule or a homework instruction, and then been surprised by what happened? What happened?
Word List
- pinch
- A tiny amount you can hold between your thumb and finger, so 'a pinch of baking soda' means just a little.
- heaping
- Filled so full that the top is piled up above the edge, like a heaping spoonful.
- baking soda
- A white powder that helps dough and batter puff up; recipes need only a small amount.
- pantry
- A small room or cupboard where food such as flour and rice is kept.
- suspicious
- Feeling that someone is hiding something or that something isn't quite right.
- bundle
- Something wrapped up in cloth to be carried, like Puff wrapped in Ada's bathrobe.
Activity Idea
With an adult, put a packet of dry yeast and a spoonful of sugar into each of two small bottles, add lukewarm (not hot) water to one and cold water to the other, and stretch a balloon over each opening. Watch for half an hour to see which balloon blows up more, then talk about why Puff swelled up next to the warm oven.
Completion Rewards
What you'll earn when you finish this story: