Title: The Great Pasta Escape
Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Javier Joaquin
Publisher: Little Bee Books, 2016
Ages: 4-8
Themes: pasta, problem solving, teamwork
Genre: fiction
40 pages
Opening:
Since the beginning of their lives (which was earlier that morning) the pasta at the factory followed the rules.
They stuck to their own.
They stayed still in their packaging.
And they never spoke to humans.
Synopsis:
The pasta believes that if they behave and remain strictly separate and properly packaged, they will be rewarded by being sent to a super cool place. Until, they overhear the plant workers talking about their pasta lunch plans and the rotini point out the cooking instructions on all their boxes. They’ll need to cook up an epic escape if they aren’t all to be eaten!
Why I like this book:
This funny pasta escape story leads itself to lots of silly voices and a great read-aloud. Talking pasta will crack most kids up. The different pasta personas are well developed through dialogue and illustrations. Older picture book readers will appreciate the story within the story. Very funny and definitely a book to be read using a variety of voices. The puns and pasta names will appeal to the older readers especially, but all spaghetti kids will get a giggle out of this story.
Resources/Activities:
There’s a fun guide to pasta shapes/names at the back of the book (both Italian and anglicized) and why not try out these fun dried pasta crafts?
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/handsonaswegrow/play-pasta-play/?lp=true
Find more “Perfect Picture Book Friday” reviews at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog HERE.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I’ve been wanting to take a look at this book since it came out. I’m on a waiting list at my library. I hope it comes in soon. Thanks for this wonderful review and pasta jewelry inspiration.
What a hilarious concept for a book. I bet there are a lot of food puns as the pasta try to escape.
I love this book! It is such great fun and a wonderful mentor text.