The Man Who Cooked for Himself

by Phyllis Krasilovsky

A man who lives at the edge of the woods discovers that he need not rely on the store for a supply of good things to eat.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

42 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Best known for her picture books, although also the author of two young adult novels and numerous magazine and newspaper articles, some of them humorous. Krasilovsky's first two books were accepted for publication when she was nineteen and newly married. Both of them were written in response to real children. The Very Little Girl (1953) was originally a birthday card for her sister's child, and The Man Who Didn't Wash His Dishes (1950), a humorous cautionary tale illustrated by Barbara Cooney, was written for her husband's five- year-old cousin who was dying of leukemia. The Cow Who Fell in the Canal (1957), illustrated by Peter Spier, was inspired by an incident observed while bicycling through Holland. Other books were inspired by her four children and memories of her own childhood. She wrote four more Man books, and finally one about The Woman Who Saved Things (1993). One of Krasilovsky's favorite books was The Shy Little Girl (1970), based on one of her own daughters, and sensitively illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Her two young adult novels, The Popular Girls Club (1972) and L.C. Is the Greatest (1975), were based on her own experiences growing up in Brooklyn.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/phyllis-...

Reviews

[Kathy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweet children's story of a man who lived with his cat in a little house at the edge of a woods. Because he does not have a phone or car, his friend visits him weekly to bring him the groceries he needs. One autumn, his friend tells him to make his grocery list to last three weeks as he is going on a trip. Unfortunately, the man underestimates the food he will need and finds himself and his cat hungry. This spurs him to search outside, where he finds fish in a stream, berries on bushes, watercress and acorns. When his friend returns, he asks for gardening seeds so he won't have to worry about being hungry again.
My children loved this book and its charming illustrations. I bought a copy and thoroughly enjoyed reading it before adding it to my home library for my grandchildren. Five stars.

[Tamala Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sons both loved this story when they were little. I read it over and over and over again just because it was their favorite. It teaches kids they don't have to rely on someone to bring them things from a store. They can use ordinary everyday things to survive and be happy. They can be confident in themselves. I even loved this story.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: There once was a man who lived with his cat in a little house on the edge of a wood. He didn't have a wife or children so he always cooked his own supper, cleaned the house by himself, and made his own bed. The man didn't even have a car or a telephone. But he had a friend who visited him every few days bringing him the things he needed.

Premise/plot: What will happen to 'the man' when his friend goes on a summer vacation for three weeks? The friend brings over one last bunch of groceries before he leaves. But will the man's list be thorough enough? long enough?

My thoughts: It's a strange little book. But a strangely charming little book at that. Is it realistic? Yes and no. When the man is hungry and desperate for food, he happens upon a pond where he can fish, wild blueberries, an apple tree, an oak tree, and some watercress. With just a paperclip and some string he catches four fish. As the story went on, the illustrations became hilarious. Readers see the man bent over picking up apples--apples stuffed into his pockets until they're bulging. The man--in the end--learns a valuable lesson about laziness--DON'T--and on how to live off the land.

Text: 3.5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3.5 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in first grade. I fell instantly in love with its multiple messages of ecology/environmental stewardship, resilience, survival skills and personal responsibility, all in one children's book. And there is a cat.

Since then, I've checked it out from the library from time to time, and finally went ahead and bought a copy for my personal library. The date that I "read" the book is listed as the time I bought a personal copy for my library, as my time in first grade was before this here thing known as the Internet.

I enjoy reading it to children and every child seems to get something different out of the book. I highly recommend reading it during watercress season and following the reading with a potato bread roll cut in half, slathered in mayonnaise, piled high with water cress, topped with a slice of fresh cut vine ripe tomato, and then dusted with kosher salt eaten as a sandwich. This has never failed to produce a child who adores watercress.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man Who Cooked for Himself is an incredible picture book about a man who lives alone with his cat at the edge of the woods. He has one friend who buys groceries for him, but when this friend goes on vacation and the food runs out, the man doesn't know what to do. At first, he thinks he's going to starve, but then he begins to be self-reliant on things in nature to help him survive, like fish in a stream, berries on a bush, and apples on a tree. Soon, he's cooking fresh for himself and his beloved cat and, in the end, grows food in his garden. This was a great book with a message about growing fresh food, being self-reliant, and discovering the joys of cooking. I would highly recommend it. My rating - 5/5

[Michael Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beloved book of my youth.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this vintage book online and it intrigued me. Read it to my son tonight. Great read. Right up our alley. Loved it!!

[Keidra Polite · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. It teaches children not to be lazy and to plan ahead. I recommend this book.