In his continuing series of books that look at the lives of the saints, dePaola introduces one who is perhaps lesser known in the pantheon, but who makes a delightful subject, nonetheless. The angels sing from the trees when Pascual is born, and as a boy, Pascual communicates with the sheep he watches over. Pascual, known for his generosity, joins the Franciscan friars as a young man, but when he is assigned to kitchen work, he despairs; he can't cook a bean. Not to worry. The angels, who have observed him from birth, are happy to prepare meals while Pascual kneels in prayer. This story, with a tender, light feeling, is an ideal vehicle for dePaola's familiar images, here dappled with whimsy. Particularly charming are the pictures of the young Pascual so attuned to the animals that he sings with the sheep, each one of which wears a garland he has made. However, it is the young angels, flitting across the cover and the inside spreads, wrapped in aprons and busily gathering ingredients and cooking, that steal the show. A dear book, with an author's note that reveals more about the saint. Ilene Cooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved