Barbie & Teresa: The Secret Recipe (Mattel Reader, Level 2)
Step into Reading: Barbie Readers Series
What’s inside...
In this Step into Reading Level 2 title, best friends Barbie and Teresa each plan to bring their "secret" chocolate–chip cookie recipe to the neighborhood bake sale. When they discover they have chosen the same treat, a friendly problem–solving adventure begins. After a few light-hearted kitchen mishaps, the girls realize that cooperation—and sharing a dash of creativity—results in the tastiest solution of all. The story offers budding readers a sweet lesson in teamwork, while two kid-tested cookie recipes at the back invite real-world reading practice in the kitchen.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Barbie Roberts
Teresa Rivera
Discussion points
Why did Barbie and Teresa both want to bake the same cookie?
How did they feel when they discovered the conflict?
What steps did they take to solve the problem together?
How might you handle a similar situation with a friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Bake the cookies together and let your child read each step aloud.
Compare the friends’ compromise to times your child has shared toys or ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Barbie and Teresa merge ideas instead of competing.
Real-World Application: Work with classmates on group projects instead of insisting on solo plans.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem-Solving
Explanation: They invent a new cookie by combining recipes.
Real-World Application: Use imagination to find win-win solutions at home or school.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Kitchen spills and burned cookies become teaching moments.
Real-World Application: Accept errors, adjust, and try again when drawing or building.