Brother Giovanni's Little Reward: How the Pretzel Was Born - Hardcover

Smucker, Anna Egan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802854206 ISBN 13: 9780802854209

Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2015

Synopsis

The entertaining story of a serendipitous invention

Brother Giovanni is a happy man, content to do what he knows best: baking. But all is not well at his monastery, where the monks are trying to teach the children their prayers in time for a very important visit from the Bishop. Having tried everything, they turn to Giovanni -- but he doesn’t know anything about teaching! Eventually, though, Brother Giovanni discovers how to use his gifts to offer the children the perfect motivation.

This vibrant book, which includes a historical note and free recipe, tells the fascinating story behind one of the world’s most popular snacks.

About this title

About the Author:

Anna Egan Smucker has been writing children's books for over twenty years. She currently teaches writing workshops for children and adults. She lives in West Virginia. Visit her website at www.annasmucker.com.

Amanda Hall has illustrated a number of picture books, including The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau (Eerdmans), which won the PEN/Steven Kroll Award. Amanda lives in England. Visit herwebsite at www.amandahall-illustration.com.

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 2— In this warmhearted story of invention, Brother Giovanni happily works in the monastery bakery, singing as he kneads his dough. Down the hall, all is not well in the classroom. The unruly children will not learn their prayers for the upcoming visit from the Bishop. The Abbot turns to the young and energetic monk for help. After several unsuccessful attempts to get through to the children, Brother Giovanni finally comes up with a solution. In the company of his orange tabby cat, the optimistic baker concocts a special treat, bread rolled and twisted into the shape of praying arms. He decides to call his creations pretiolas—little rewards. Bringing a basket of the freshly baked rolls to class, he instructs the children to fold their arms over their chests in the shape of the pretiolas and pray. Eager to sample the baked goods, the children do as he asks and learn their prayers. Beginning with eye-catching endpapers that portray Brother Giovanni riding from the monastery to a hilltop village, the cheerful illustrations welcome readers into the monk's medieval world. Executed in pastel watercolor inks and gouache, each scene reflects the warmth and ebullience exuded by the kind baker. In the style of illuminated manuscripts, many of the pictures are framed with elegant, decorative borders. A reader's note explaining the historical background of the legend and a recipe for soft pretzels are appended. VERDICT Read this delectable tale with Eric Carle's Walter the Baker (S. & S., 2014), another satisfying story of how the pretzel came to be.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA

About this edition

• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0802854206
• ISBN 13: 9780802854209
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 34
• Illustrator: Hall Amanda