Pascual and the Kitchen Angels (Paperback)

~ Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator) "Look, everyone! We have a son," Papa said to the villagers..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. In his continuing series of books that look at the lives of the saints, dePaola introduces one who is perhaps lesser known in the pantheon, but who makes a delightful subject, nonetheless. The angels sing from the trees when Pascual is born, and as a boy, Pascual communicates with the sheep he watches over. Pascual, known for his generosity, joins the Franciscan friars as a young man, but when he is assigned to kitchen work, he despairs; he can't cook a bean. Not to worry. The angels, who have observed him from birth, are happy to prepare meals while Pascual kneels in prayer. This story, with a tender, light feeling, is an ideal vehicle for dePaola's familiar images, here dappled with whimsy. Particularly charming are the pictures of the young Pascual so attuned to the animals that he sings with the sheep, each one of which wears a garland he has made. However, it is the young angels, flitting across the cover and the inside spreads, wrapped in aprons and busily gathering ingredients and cooking, that steal the show. A dear book, with an author's note that reveals more about the saint. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142405361
• ISBN-13: 978-0142405369
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #230,341 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MIRTH AND A MORAL, January 12, 2004

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Pascual and the Kitchen Angels (Hardcover)

Few can match author/artist Tomie DePaola's gift for combining mirth and a moral to create an enchanting story for young readers. He has focused on the lives of saints in the past and he does so once more in this imagined tale of Pascual, the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen.

Beginning with Pascual's birth when angels sang his mother and father regarded their son with both pride and awe. At first, his father thought the boy might grow up to be a shepherd because of the tender care he took of sheep. But when he reached young manhood Pascual announced that he wanted "to be a friar and help feed people who are hungry."

So, his parents sent him to the monastery of Saint Francis. Imagine Pascual's surprise when the friars asked him to prepare dinner. Why, he didn't even know how to boil water! One thing Pascual did know how to do was pray. Amazing things began to happen when Pascual closed his eyes and knelt on the kitchen floor.

Young readers will relate to Pascual and to the cheery art panels that bring the tale to life.

- Gail Cooke

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, March 8, 2006

By	Enoc Moreno Jr. (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Pascual and the Kitchen Angels (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. I have read many of Tomie de Paola's books and bought a few of them especially the ones with religious themes. They are simple but with a great story and message. I started this book with even knowing it was based on a real saint St Pascual Baylon and liked it very much.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a gift, October 17, 2005

By	Elizabeth Rose Augustine "Bibliophile" (Whidbey Island, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pascual and the Kitchen Angels (Hardcover)

Children's books can be so wonderful... but are often void of any real substance. DePaola is able to integrate a lovely story with lovely pictures and lovely morals all at once. We got this book at the library and are now going to buy it. It's so nice to have your faith boosted by everyday stories read to a child.