Cookie

Beauty Cookson (yes, that’s her real name!) is a shy, gentle, and very nervous girl.
She’s bullied terribly at school because of her unusual name, her shyness, and her lack of fashionable clothes. But home is even worse: her father, Gerry Cookson, is a controlling, scary man who demands perfection from Beauty and her mum.

At school, Beauty is constantly anxious, teased, and miserable. At home, she’s terrified of her father’s fierce temper — even small mistakes make him furious.

Beauty’s only comforts are:

• Her imagination — she dreams of a different, happier life.

• Her love of animals — she adores animals, especially her soft toys and anything cute.

• Her mum, who is loving but too frightened to stand up to Gerry.

When Beauty’s birthday party turns into a horrible disaster because of her father’s controlling behavior, her mother finally gathers her courage. She and Beauty run away to start a new life, leaving behind the fear and sadness.

They move to a seaside village, where they open a cute little café called The Cookie Club — and Beauty finally gets the chance to make friends, be herself, and even get a real puppy!

Key Themes:

• Bullying: At school, Beauty faces bullying and isolation.

• Family Struggles: The story shows how hard life can be when someone at home is angry and frightening.

• Courage and Escape: It’s about finding the strength to leave a bad situation and start fresh.

• Friendship and Belonging: Beauty finally finds people who accept her for who she is.

• Self-Confidence: Beauty learns to stop being ashamed of herself and to embrace her own kindness and uniqueness.

Why Kids Love It:

• Relatable: Many readers connect with Beauty’s struggles with bullying and self-confidence.

• Emotional and Uplifting: Even though it deals with tough topics, the ending is hopeful and empowering.

• Jacqueline Wilson’s style: Warm, honest, and easy to read — full of real feelings.

• Wonderful characters: Beauty and her mum are so lovable, and you really cheer for them.

Who Should Read It?

• Ages 9–13 (ideal for upper primary or early secondary readers)

• Kids who love emotional, real-life stories with strong, brave characters.

• Fans of other Jacqueline Wilson books like The Illustrated Mum, Lola Rose, or Clean Break.