Holy Mole! A Folktale from Mexico
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Carlos is working in the kitchen of the Mexican monastery when the cook enters the room in a panic. The Spanish Viceroy is on his way for a surprise visit and will arrive by noon, expecting dinner. What will the brothers feed this important ambassador to the king? Carlos tries to stay out of the way as lunch is hastily prepared, but his curiosity gets the best of him. His eagerness results in a moment of crisis, followed by what the brothers can only assume is a miracle. This story, inspired by the Mexican folk tradition, explains the origins of molé, the popular national dish that combines chocolate with turkey, spices, and nuts. Stefan Czernecki's amusing, angular illustrations capture the chaos in the kitchen as well as the folk tradition behind the tale.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Legend has it that mol , one of the signature dishes of Mexican cuisine, was created when a monk named Brother Pascual tripped and accidentally spilled the ingredients into a pot. In her debut children's book, McAlister adds a kid's-eye-view twist, positing that an orphaned kitchen boy named Carlos unwittingly created this celebrated concoction. Poor Carlos is convinced he is permanently in the doghouse after causing Brother Pascual to drop ingredients intended for several different courses into the turkey pot. But then "the most delicious smells began to rise from the simmering stew a rich mixture of chilies, garlic, chocolate and cinnamon." The thick, savory sauce enchants the palates of both the monks and their VIP visitor, the Viceroy. Czernecki's (Zigzag) illustrations never offer a sense of time or place in fact, he dispenses with backgrounds altogether and provides his angular characters with just enough props to carry the story. Budding foodies especially young fans of the spontaneous gastronomy of Iron Chef will likely find this a tale to pique their appetites. Ages 5-8.
