May rate higher once I try the recipes. ( )

Cat, Duck, and Squirrel - the three friends and room-mates whose story began in Pumpkin Soup, and continued in A Pipkin of Pepper - return in this, their third adventure. When the trio discover that there are no ripe pumpkins in their patch, their plan to make their favorite treat (pumpkin soup, of course!) comes to nothing, and they must look to Cat's dusty recipe book for other ideas. Predictably, Duck proves difficult, refusing to eat the fish, mushroom and beets soups that the friends produce. Finally, in desperation, Cat decides he will trick his recalcitrant friend, making something that looks like pumpkin soup, but is made from yellow zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, and corn.

As with the first two picture-books given over to the doings of this lovable feline, anatine and sciurine trio (haha, that's three animals adjectives at once!), Delicious! is a delightful visual feast for the reader, beautifully illustrated by Helen Cooper with rich colors and expressive details. I don't know that I loved it quite as much as the first two, but it was still very engaging, and will undoubtedly appeal to children who are picky eaters, as well as to the adults in their lives. My favorite detail? The running dual "narrative" with the household bugs, who protest the waste of food going on, as Duck rejects one soup after another. Hilarious! ( )

This book is a good example of fantasy because it takes place in a cabin which is a realistic setting, but it is unrealistic because the main characters are a duck, squirrel, and a cat, who hunt down different recipes to replace their usual pumpkin soup.
Media Used: gauche
Age Appropriateness: Primary ( )

Another great book by Helen Cooper. Ok, so I don't like this one as much as the original Pumpkin Soup, but I already know and love the characters so I couldn't help but be thrilled with this new addition. The illustrations are just delightful! ( )