Think you've got the baking chops to knock out the "Swishy Fishy" cake shown here? What about a full-scale, caramel- and chocolate-bedecked sandcastle birthday cake? Well, with all the free time you'll have on your hands once school lets out (I kid!), now is the perfect time to grab a copy of Matthew Mead's new book, Cakes for Kids, and give both a shot.

Luckily for the baking-impaired (yours truly included), Mead includes easy-to-follow instructions, complete with assembly/cutting diagrams and droolworthy color photos, for the 35 cakes he features -- each of which should make you the hit of any birthday party. While the book includes basic from-scratch recipes for cake and frosting, it also leaves plenty of room for achieving baked-good nirvana with store-bought mixes.

Regularly priced at $19.95, Cakes for Kids is going for just under 15 bucks at Amazon.