Pancake Day books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate
When is Pancake Day? Tuesday 9 February 2027. Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday, 47 days before Easter Sunday.
Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the last day before Lent, the 40 days when many Christians give something up before Easter. People used up rich foods like eggs, butter and milk by making pancakes. In other countries it's Mardi Gras ('Fat Tuesday') or Carnival.
Who celebrates Pancake Day, and books for each
Christian
'Shrove' comes from 'shrive', to confess. Christians prepare for Lent, starting on Ash Wednesday, by thinking about what to give up or take up, such as a kind habit.
We haven't found a good Lent picture book for this age yet; the pancake books below are a lovely start, and you can talk about Lent while you cook.
British tradition
Families make and toss pancakes with lemon and sugar, and some towns hold pancake races, running while flipping a pancake in a pan.
📖 Free guideRhinos Don't Eat Pancakes
Anna Kemp
a purple rhino turns up for pancakes and nobody believes Daisy
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guideMr Wolf's Pancakes
Jan Fearnley
Mr Wolf asks his neighbours for help, with a twist
Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
📖 Free guidePancakes, Pancakes!
Eric Carle
Jack gathers everything from the farm to make a pancake
Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
Questions to ask while you read
Use these with any of the Pancake Day books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.
- What is the family in the story getting ready for?
- Which part of Pancake Day would you most like to try, and why?
- How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
- Is anything in the story like something your family does?
- What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Pancake Day?
Ways to celebrate Pancake Day with children
- Make pancakes together; let your child crack the eggs and measure the flour.
- Hold a pancake race in the garden or park.
- Count how many tosses before the pancake lands.
- Talk about one thing you might try for Lent, like a kind act each day.
Pancake Day picture books at a glance
All the Pancake Day books on this page: Rhinos Don't Eat Pancakes (Anna Kemp), Mr Wolf's Pancakes (Jan Fearnley), Pancakes, Pancakes! (Eric Carle).
Questions parents ask about Pancake Day
Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
To use up eggs, milk and butter before Lent, when many Christians traditionally ate simpler food.
When is Pancake Day?
It moves with Easter: the Tuesday 47 days before Easter Sunday, in February or March.
Related festivals: Easter · Ramadan
All festivals, by month and by faith →
Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.