Pascual and the Kitchen Angels

by Tomie dePaola

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Religion, Italy, Christian, Folk Tales, Faith

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2004

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best picture books I've ever read about children's spirituality--even though that's not the point of the story. Such a lovely little book: "Mama and Papa didn't know that Pascual and the sheep were singing to God."

I found this book at my local used bookstore for a song, and when I took it home I realized it's another first impression, and it's signed and dated, and there's a picture of dePaola signing the book attached inside! Either dePaola signed tons of books or the used book angels smile kindly on me, because this is the second time I've found a signed first impression of a dePaola book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming picture book about St. Pascual, who lived in 16th-century Spain and is the patron saints of cooks and the kitchen. After Pascual goes to the monastery of Saint Francis, the friars ask him to cook the food he has brought. However Pascual doesn't know how to cook, so he begins praying, and while he is praying angels appear and do the cooking for him. A delightful story with additional information in the author's note.

"In fact, the first thing Pascual was ordered to do was to go to the kitchen and cook! Years later, Pascual admitted that he knew nothing about the kitchen. That is probably when the legend of the kitchen angels began.
Pascual Bailon died in May of 1592. He was proclaimed a saint in 190 because of his life of prayer, humility and helping any who came to the kitchen door of the monastery."

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

DePaola adds another carefully executed telling of a saint’s life in this book. The Author’s Note at the end gives us the factual account of Pascual’s actual life, while dePaola’s narrative unfolds the legend that grew up about him. DePaola’s stylized devices might not be for everyone, but I think it will be easily engaged by young readers. As for the underlying spiritual themes, the story depicts godly devotion and prayer, the interweaving of the everyday world with the supernatural, and Franciscan affection for the created world. Raleigh Demi Bold on light pages was a perfect pairing for easy reading.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting picture book about a man who became a saint, Pascual Bailon, born in Spain in 1540 and who became a Franciscan Friar. Loved the illustration of Pascual standing fin the kitchen surrounded by beautiful period untinsels wondering how to cook.

[Ebjourney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A legend about Pascual and how he became a monk of sorts, but did not know how to cook. He ended up in the kitchen, and this is a legend on how he was able to cook. Made me laugh. There is a story about him at the end.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learn more about unknown Saints from Tomie dePaola then anywhere else. Great story, wonderful illustrations.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing the story told in the illustrations, but the author’s note at the end of the book was my favorite.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 2004, this refreshed and redesigned release tells the story of the patron saint of cooks and kitchens.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible.

[DúviAurvandil Ericsson e Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, saintly story.

[Grace Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

gorgeous artwork and a story about the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen - faith and spirituality weaved beautifully throughout

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A legend about Pascual. When he was young, he took care of sheep. When he grew older, he wanted to help feed the hungry. But the friars made him their cook instead. Interesting story.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures in this book represent, to me, some of the finest artwork that Tomie dePaola has created in any of his famous picture books. The book jacket says that the illustrations are closely reminiscent of the old style of Italian frescoes, and I most definitely agree with that statement. The subdued drawings in Pascual and the Kitchen Angles do have an unmistakable old Italian charm about them, and this reverently antiquated feel perfectly captures the thrust of Pascual's story.

Pascual is a very special son who from an early age appears destined for greatness. He possess wisdom beyond his few years, as well as inert gifts of kinship both with animals and other humans, a gift that allows him significant power as a peacemaker. Pascual is even special enough to receive an unprecedented expression of help from God's angels themselves when the monks at a Franciscan monastery ask Pascual to be their cook, a task for which he is ill suited, and the angels intervene on Pascual's behalf.

This is a nice picture book that carries gentle religious overtones. It's actually taken from the life story of the catholic saint Pascual, who was initially not allowed to engage in important duties when he joined a particular Franciscan monastery. He was directed to the kitchen and told to cook for the other monks despite having little to no culinary knowledge, and this anecdote served as the basis for the legend of the Kitchen Angels.

I would give this book one and a half stars.

[Ruhama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pascual is born with a flock of angels flying outside his house. His parents determine that God must love their little boy very much, and watch him grow up to be first a shepherd, and later a friar. All he wanted to do in life is feed the hungry, but the friars make him their cook, so he didn’t have time to go out with them. Unfortunately, another fly in the soup is Pascual doesn’t know how to cook! But he gets on his knees and prays, and while he is praying, angels come and cook for him. Eventually, the friars discover who is really cooking, and allow Pascual to go out with them, and all is well. The illustrations are typical Tomie (lovely) and he includes an author’s note about Pascual (the patron saint of cooks) at the end.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter loves these legends by Tomie dePaola. We've mostly been reading the Indian ones. Although she was better able to relate to this one because it is closer to our own (Christian) tradition, I think it was a little too light to really captivate her. (She likes stories with a little darkness.) Nevertheless, she and I both enjoyed it, and she could relate to the child Pascual singing and praying with the lambs, since she does the same by "playing church" with her stuffed animals. I may change the rating to five stars when I see how it holds up on repeat readings but, right now, it's not quite up there with the Indian legends we read earlier.

[The Hofs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this second hand in mint condition. We inscribed it and gave it to one of the girls for Christmas without reading it. I was so happy when I read the story. . . .a child born to a faith filled couple who is simple and decides to give himself to God as a brother. When he is assigned as the kitchen cook, the angels come to his aid. Of course, it is based on a true story which makes it even more charming. It wasn't until I had read it a few more times that I realized that the book was SIGNED by Tomie himself. Not a bad deal for .25 cents! I hadn't heard of the book before but this is worth buying.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Pascual, the good and pious Spanish shepherd who joins the Franciscan monastery in Loreto. There he becomes the friars' cook. The only problem is that Pascual doesn't know how to cook. His solution? He prays, and while he prays, angels come and cook for him. Finally, the monks learn his secret and allow Pascual to go with them to feed the hungry.

This is a sweet retelling of the story of St. Pascual in true TdP style, and a good book to share with the young children in your life.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 4-8

A beautiful story about the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. This is a good book to edcuate about Spainish and Latin cultures. The book does have religious basis, so one might want to double check with his or her administration before it is used in the classroom. However, it would be perfect for a Christian school or to recommend to a student with Mexican heritage.

Uses: service, faith, giving, helping the needy, feeding the poor.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally charmed by this book! Love the illustrations, and the story of the boy who tends the sheep and then goes to the monastery to feed the poor, but ends up "cooking" for the monks--cute! I got a big kick out of the whole "kitchen angel" thing, and the explanation in the back of the book says Pascuel actually is the patron saint of the kitchen and cooks! Who knew?! (Not me!)

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am already a huge fan of Tomie dePaola's writing and his artwork, so of course I love this book. It is a sweet story/legend of Saint Pascual. I also like how dePaola adds the real story of the saint on the last page.

It is a brightly colored book with a nice stroy about a boy who sees angels and wants to help the poor. Excellent story for children and enjoyable for adults.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew good food is cooked by angels? I didn't know that and neither does the hero of this picture book, Pascual. He wants to be a monk, but the monks want him as their cook, never mind that he can't boil water. So, angels help him out. A cute story and great illustrations.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pascual has been blessed by God. His family sends him to a monastery where the monks ask him to prepare dinner. Pascual doesn't know how to boil water. He prays and angels prepare the meal. Author's note includes biography on Pascual, the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one to my 7- and 11-year old to complement our middle ages history lesson about monks of the Christian Church. This picture book biography tells the legend behind the kitchen angels of Saint Pascual Bailon, the shepherd boy turned friar, who is the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally cute book about the patron saint of cooks. He can't cook--so angels cook for him. Just cute.

[Victoria Binkerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love Tomie DePaola?! The story is so lovely. dePaola's style is so distinctive and he never disappoints. I sure wish I had a kitchen angel!