Minette Mimosa McWilliams Child belonged to Julia and Paul Child when they lived in Paris. “Julia and Paul were charmed by Minette’s delicate whiskers, her superior nose, her quick little paws.” Minette is offered nibbles of this and that, and sometimes deigns to eat them, but she much prefers mice. Then Julia takes cooking lessons, and the smells in the kitchen while Minette sits at Julia’s feet, or chases a brussels sprout on a string, are heavenly. Susanna Reich’s delightful story, based loosely on the real cat that belonged to the Childs, remains child-centered (or is that cat-centered?) even as it captures the emergence of Julia’s passion. Reich’s narrative is full of delightful details and playful language, a perfect match for the playful subject. Minette can be found in every one of Amy Bates’s charming pencil and watercolor illustrations, even when humans are the focal point. An afterword provides more information on Julia Child, including a photo of her with the real Minette, and notes provide sources for all of the story’s dialogue, none of which is made up (unlike Minette’s passion for mice which, Reich acknowledges in her author’s note, was never documented by Julia). (Ages 4–8)

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.

UPraise for Minette's Feast/u

DIV “Foodie parents who love cats will love to read this delightful book to their kids.†?/div DIV —The Atlantic/div
DIV “This charming portrait...†?/div DIV —Publishers Weekly/div
"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
DIV “A fine recipe for pleasure: Julia Child, the culinary arts, Paris and a lucky cat. Magnifique!†?/div DIV —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
/div DIV “...feast for the senses†?/div —School Library Journal, starred review

UAward/u
Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices 2013 list - Picture Book