Pascual and the Kitchen Angels

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Celebrated children’s author Tommie dePaola writes in simple prose about Pascual, the patron saint of cooks and kitchens.

Pascual’s birth is heralded by angels and his parents know he is very special. He tends sheep in his childhood and is regarded well by all. Pascual wants to help people, so he joins the monetary of Saint Francis as a young man. There he is asked to become a cook–but Pascual has never cooked before in his life! With the help of the kitchen angels, Pascual is able to not only impress the monks, but also have time to feed the poor.

Sweet, simple prose and classic dePaola illustrations make this a wonderful story.

Ways to work on your child’s language skills with this story (questions and activities will vary based on your child’s language levels):
1. Ask your child to retell you the story using only the pictures as cue
2. Describe what Pascual is doing with the animals.
3. Why do the boys stop fighting when Pascual gives them garlands?
4. Why does Pascual move to the monastary?
5. Describe the kitchen scene. How do you think Pascual feels?
6. Using the pictures as cues, describe what the angels in the kitchen while Pascual prays.
7. Why isn’t Pascual happy when he first comes to the monastery. What changes?
8. Why do you think this story was written about Pascual, the patron saint of cooking?

Vocabulary to discuss:
saint
shepherd
garland
monastery
friar
habit