Meet the Bakery Babies—the cutest and sneakiest babies in town! Join alongside these adorable babies while they sneak out of their cribs late at night and they make their way to the local bakery.
Bakery Babies is bursting with beautifully detailed illustrations by Ka Huen Kwong-Newman that are a literal feast for the eyes. The rhythmic tale written by Meredith Newman is whimsical and silly and it elicits smiles and laughter from both young and old.
Meredith is a Type 1 Diabetic whose dietary needs have affected her family, her love of baking, and her life. She is interested in raising awareness, especially as parents navigate T1D with their children (either because they have it themselves or because the child has just been diagnosed). She was diagnosed after her second pregnancy after originally being diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Bakery Babies includes fun recipes from Meredith and Ka Huen’s family that have been passed down through the generations. They are perfect for enjoying with your favorite little baker.
Meredith has a Masters degree in Elementary Education and taught preschool and Kindergarten for many years before raising a family of her own and pursuing her love of children’s book writing. She is bringing her knowledge as an educator to her books, one whimsical rhyme at a time.
I had a chance to learn more in this interview.
Can you share a little bit about your journey with type 1 diabetes?
My journey with Type 1 diabetes began when I was 30 years old, during my second pregnancy. I initially was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and told to manage my blood sugar with diet and exercise. When that course of action didn’t work as hoped, we had to switch to insulin injections. After I delivered my daughter, I was re-tested and it was discovered I had full blown Type 1 diabetes. At the time, no one in my family had diabetes. However, that same year, my younger sister (then in her 20s), and a few years later, our father (then in his 60s), all were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. We have what is known as late onset, Juvenile Diabetes, often referred to as T1D.
Why is it important for families to be aware of the signs of type 1 diabetes?
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes because it can hit at any age and at any level of severity. Many diabetics talk about the honeymoon phase before the full diagnosis. The pancreas is still partially functioning and produces some insulin so the symptoms may be less severe and therefore less apparent. Some of the signs to look for are: excessive thirst, unusual fatigue, excessive urination, unintentional weight loss, increased hunger, blurry vision, frequent headaches, shakiness and/or dizziness. These are symptoms many of us have regularly so it can be difficult to distinguish between normal signals and more worrisome signs. If you are concerned, it is always better to check in with your doctor and ask for a blood test to check for diabetes.
How can families manage the dietary challenges that come with having a family member with T1D?
Because diabetes is a disease based on food intake (something we all do every day, multiple times a day), it can make the task of eating and feeding families with diabetics quite challenging. One of the biggest misconceptions is that diabetics can’t or don’t eat sugar. Quite the contrary! Type 1 diabetics need sugar to survive as much as they need insulin. Sugar controls the blood sugar from going too low (hypoglycemia) and insulin is the hormone that controls the blood sugar from going too high (hyperglycemia). Managing this dance is the hourly mental aerobics diabetics and their caregivers engage in every single day. Frequent blood sugar checks by finger sticks or by using a blood glucose monitor (usually worn on back of the arm) help diabetics to make decisions regarding their care. It is important to note that any type of sugar intake (a spoonful of honey, a piece of bread, an apple, a cup of juice or soda for example) requires insulin (via injection or from the use of an insulin pump) for diabetics to process the sugar/carbohydrate. If blood sugars are running low at the time of food intake, less or perhaps no insulin at all is required. Diabetics and their caretakers need to become blood sugar tracking and carb counting experts to be able to properly treat for a meal or a snack with insulin before consuming. Luckily, there are diabetic educators to help with a new diabetes diagnosis in terms of managing dietary needs (check with your endocrinologist or family physician about connecting you with one). And don’t forget, the Internet is a powerful resource at all our fingertips. I still rely on Google when I want to quickly look up how many carbohydrates are in a particular food item. Many restaurants also now publicize their nutrition information and it makes it so much easier to get the carb/insulin ratios accurate.
Low blood sugar can hit at any time and you don’t want to be caught off guard without sugar. Even though my children are now grown, by the size of my bag, you would never know it! I keep quick-hitting sugary treats in my bag and car such as: gummy fruit snack items, fruit leather, candies, juice boxes, fruit pouches, etc. Each morning, before I head outside for my daily walk, a fanny pouch gets filled with the necessary sugar so I don’t have to worry about a low blood sugar episode on my walk. And sometimes, a few bites of a banana before the walk helps to ameliorate any potential blood sugar issues from the exercise. It’s true that diabetes requires more thought before doing every day activities, but having a plan and acting on it prevents even scarier problems from occurring—preparation is prevention.
What was the inspiration behind the book?
During the 2020 pandemic, we were all home trying to figure out what to do with our newfound time. Many took to the kitchen to try their hands at homemade sourdough bread, pastas, cinnamon rolls, cakes, cookies and pies. My family was right there with them! Each week was a chance to test out a new recipe or cooking/baking idea. We made cinnamon rolls, cookies, mug cakes, smoothies, waffles and ice cream and on and on.
Many local supermarkets now carry these products. I encourage you to try baking with different sugar and flour substitutes and see which ones you and your family enjoy. It might take some trial and error but it’s worth it!
Baking with kids is so much fun if there are a few parameters in place. I believe in the theory of controlled chaos so things don’t get too unwieldy or messy. For example, an 18 month old can still participate in the baking process by stirring with some help. Keep all other items out of reach so quick, little hands can’t grab and accidentally dump food onto the counters or floors! I would leave the egg handling to the grownups as I wouldn’t want an accidental finger lick to cause salmonella. When baking or cooking with kids, depending on their ages, there are so many parts of the process for them to get involved and be hands-on. There’s measuring, mixing, pouring, spreading, combining, beating, whisking, icing, dusting and of course, tasting!
Why is baking with kids such a great activity, especially for families that have extra dietary challenges?
When kids have their hands in their own food, literally and figuratively, there is a sense of ownership over what they created and they might be more willing to try it. It’s a great way to get kids eating a variety of foods. Older kids can go deeper with the math and science elements of cooking and baking. They can also learn about other cultures and their own heritage through food made together with their families and elders. Such recipes passed on to family and friends become part of a tradition of cooking and baking and if written down, it ensures they will be in families for generations to come. There are endless possibilities and benefits to getting little ones involved in the kitchen. It’s so much fun! Cute aprons and spatulas also never hurt!!
Bakery Babies has some fun, family recipes included at the back of the book. Enjoy with your littlest bakers!
*Author’s Note: None of the above is meant to be taken as medical guidance or advice. I am not a doctor–just a mom living with Type 1 diabetes and these are lessons from my own personal, lived experience. Please consult with your doctor(s) for specific information and management regarding all health-related issues and/or questions.
MEREDITH NEWMAN is the author of the children’s books The Lost Umbrellas of Lexington and Bakery Babies.
She writes books with lovable, whimsical characters that incorporate beautiful, detailed illustrations to delight young and old audiences alike.
Meredith graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in English, and she completed a Master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught early elementary school before starting her own family.
Meredith married her high school sweetheart, and they have two children and two dogs, Ralphie and Stuie. They are the inspiration behind many of her stories. Meredith lives in Villanova, Pennsylvania and she spends time in her favorite places: Jupiter, Florida and Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Follow Meredith on Instagram.
KA HUEN KWONG-NEWMAN is an illustrator from Hong Kong with a lifelong passion for art. Since childhood, she dreamed of becoming an artist, always drawn to creativity and story telling through visuals.
After moving to America in 2009, she apprenticed under talented and renowned painters, further honing her artistic skills. Her journey has been fueled by the endless support of her husband and the fearless creativity of their daughter Emma, who inspired many of the fun ideas behind Bakery Babies. She lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.
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