Minette's Feast
The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Minette’s Feast introduces the iconic American chef Julia Child to a new audience of young readers through the story of her spirited cat, Minette, whom Julia adopted when living in Paris. While Julia is in the kitchen learning to master delicious French dishes, the only feast Minette is truly interested in is that of fresh mouse! This lively story is complete with an author’s note, a bibliography, and actual quotations from Julia Child and comes just in time for the 100th anniversary of her birth.
Praise for Minette's Feast
“Foodie parents who love cats will love to read this delightful book to their kids.†?
—The Atlantic
“This charming portrait...†?
—Publishers Weekly
"A delectable tale about Julia Child discovering her culinary calling in Paris...This book is a charmer to share aloud with young people who enjoy a well-paced story and with cat lovers and food lovers of any age."
—Horn Book
"A charming picture book."
—The New York Times Sunday Book Review
"Amy Bates uses pencil and watercolor to crate artwork that is as playful as Minette the cat."
—Library Media Connection
STARRED REVIEWS
“A fine recipe for pleasure: Julia Child, the culinary arts, Paris and a lucky cat. Magnifique!†?
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Bates’ illustrations work marvelously well with this charming conceit."
—Booklist, starred review
"Reich's internal rhymes make the proceedings feel festive, while her overall prose conveys Julia's seriousness of purpose. The smooth flow of her narrative belies the impressive amount of research she undertook to relate actual conversations and events...Discover: A delectable banquet that charts Julia Child's culinary progress through the eyes of her cat, Minette."
—Shelf Awareness, starred review
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“...feast for the senses†?
—School Library Journal, starred review
Award
Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices 2013 list - Picture Book
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Modest in scope, this cozy biography of Julia Child uses her cat, Minette, to introduce the master chef to young audiences. The tortoiseshell stray hangs around the edges of the first few spreads that depict Julia and her husband exploring Paris. Reich's (Painting the Wild Frontier) lyrical prose is playful; its rhythmic and sometimes alliterative language quickly advances the lighthearted tale. Julia "baked and blanched, blended and boiled, drained and dried, dusted and fried," and, later, the picky Minette (after sampling one of Julia's creations) "frisked and flounced.... danced and pranced." The author admittedly takes literary license with some details, such as the implication that Julia takes classes at Le Cordon Bleu in order to meet Minette's finicky tastes. The hues of Bates's (Bear in the Air) muted watercolors buttery yellows, golds, and slate blue-greens lend a French feel, as does an early painting of Minette in which she's made to resemble the feline from Steinlen's famous "Chat Noir" poster. This charming portrait concludes with a glossary of French words, an afterword, and author notes. Ages 4 8.
