Overview
When Pascual is born, angels fly down and sing to him from the trees. When he sings to the sheep as a little boy, they sing back to him. But when Pascual joins the Franciscans, they send him to the kitchen. Pascual doesn't know how to cook even a cup of beans! That's when the kitchen angels fly down, and delicious dinners appear on the friars' table night after night. Finally the friars peek in to see how Pascual does it, and what they see shows them what a blessed man is living among them.
Pascual, a boy blessed by angels at his birth, receives divine help when the Franciscan monks make him their cook.
Synopsis
When Pascual is born, angels fly down and sing to him from the trees. When he sings to the sheep as a little boy, they sing back to him. But when Pascual joins the Franciscans, they send him to the kitchen. Pascual doesn't know how to cook even a cup of beans! That's when the kitchen angels fly down, and delicious dinners appear on the friars' table night after night. Finally the friars peek in to see how Pascual does it, and what they see shows them what a blessed man is living among them.
Exquisite illustrations reminiscent of Italian frescoes capture not only the beauty of the story but the warmth and humor that suffuses it. Children and cooks alike will smile as they get to know Pascual and wish they had their own kitchen angels.
Publishers Weekly
In a starred review, PW wrote, "Telling the story of the 16th-century Spanish boy who became the patron saint of the kitchen, dePaola serves up a particularly well-flavored offering." Ages 4-up. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In a starred review, PW wrote, "Telling the story of the 16th-century Spanish boy who became the patron saint of the kitchen, dePaola serves up a particularly well-flavored offering." Ages 4-up. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
This appealing story is based upon the legend of the kitchen angels surrounding Pascual who is the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. The author includes a note about the life of Pascual and how this story came about. According to the story when Pascual was born doves filled the air with song and then the tree filled with angels. Pascual was a friend to animals and they all loved him. He was peaceful, prayerful and his parents were sure the angels protected him. As a young man he set out for the monastery of Saint Francis because he wanted to be a friar and feed the hungry. The friars had another idea for Pascual. They made him their cook and only with the help of the angels did Pascual manage to prepare meals. When the friars discovered the secret of the angels they then allowed Pascual to accompany them to feed the poor. The wonderful illustrations by the author make this sweet story of a generous young boy a lovely book to read to youngsters. 2004, GP Putnam's Sons/Penguin, Ages 4 to 8.—Carolyn Mott Ford