Minette's Feast

Subtitled, The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat, by Susanna Reich, this new picture book comes out just in time for the celebration of what would be the famous cook's 100th birthday on August 15th.  In a picture book biography for young children, the life in Paris of the culinary legend is told from third person but centers on the tortoiseshell cat's perspective.  When Julia and her husband, Paul, take in a stray cat and name her Minnette Mimosa McWilliams Child, the cat becomes the luckiest cat in Paris.  Of course, her owners feel that "A house without a cat is like life without sunshine."  And so begins the story of the happy lives of all three as Julia hones her cooking skills and Minette and Paul enjoy her fine French meals---although the beloved cat still thinks mice are best!  Bates' pencil and watercolor illustrations are a perfect compliment to the author's humorous text.  An afterward, notes, sources, and a glossary and pronunciation guide, and author notes are all appended giving credence to the facts about the life of Julia Child during her Paris years.  I'm thinking Caldecott award for this title!  Join us as we celebrate the French Chef's 100th Birthday with a screening of the 2009 film, "Julie & Julia," starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep on August 15th at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library.  Bon Appetit!