Pascual and the Kitchen Angels

by Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

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.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534494947
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/13/2022
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	97 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

Hometown:

Connecticut and New Hampshire

Date of Birth:

September 15, 1935

Place of Birth:

Meriden, CT

Website:

http://www.tomie.com/main.html

Editorial Reviews

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.

Publishers Weekly

Gr 1-4-DePaola brews up a delightful retelling of the life of the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. On the day of Pascual's birth, angels sing in the trees, and his father realizes that "God must surely love him." Acrylic illustrations with soft pastel backgrounds show Pascual as a little boy, frolicking joyfully with animals and hanging garlands of flowers around the necks of sheep. The winsome paintings capture his serene spirituality as he and the creatures lift their voices toward heaven. Simple, well-chosen words reflect the youngster's sincere love for God and all of His creatures. When Pascual is older, he goes to the monastery of Saint Francis, hoping to become a friar and help the hungry. However, the friars ask him to make their meals. Knowing nothing about cooking, Pascual bows his head and prays. Suddenly, apron-wearing angelic visitors "swoosh in the air above him" and then descend to concoct a feast. Curious about the delicious meals coming from the kitchen, the friars spy on the dinner preparations and learn the truth. Realizing how much God values him, they decide to take a joyful Pascual with them to feed the hungry. Framed by light peach watercolors splashed with rainbow-colored droplets, the illustrations beautifully complement the celestial mood. An author's note provides some background about this humble man.-James K. Irwin, Poplar Creek Main Library, Steamwood, IL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Using acrylics and gesso to make his beautiful, cheerful, and warmhearted images that are so familiar to children, dePaola recounts the story of St. Pascual, patron of cooks. This Spanish saint prayed in the fields with his sheep and bedecked them with flower garlands. When he was of age, he went to the monastery of St. Francis, laden with food from his mother. The friars immediately asked him to cook for them, but Pascual had no idea how. While he prayed intently in the kitchen, "Angels in little white aprons were flying down to cook" for him and the friars. It was so good, the friars asked Pascual to cook every night. He never learned how, but the angels never let him down. A note about the saint and a dedication to a number of notable foodies complete this utterly charming work. (Picture book/biography. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews