Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles

One of the best books I've read in years. Beautifully written, effortlessly charming, and the little hardcover with all the pictures makes a beautiful package. In madame's mysterious and magical food shop, Kingfisher has given us one of those most precious creations in children's literature -- a place like Hogwarts and Narnia and Wonka's chocolate factory that we want to return to again and again, and would certainly live in if we got half a chance.

Cute children's story. It's extremely predictable - girl with Talent is forced to work for mean nasty relative, discovers Magical Shoppe, her talent is allowed to flower, and she uses it (and her relative's greed) to Conquer. The setting and the style are pleasant, and there's some really amusing bits; there's also some large loose ends (where does the reviewer come in? Why does he, apparently for the first time, actually appreciate a chef's work - what's his link to Madame Pamplemousse? and so on). Mildly enjoyable to read once. I could see a child being entranced by it - but it doesn't offer much to an adult (or, at least, to me).

Don’t be deceived by the title, the main character and hero of Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles is actually someone children will find it easy to relate to – a young girl named Madeleine. Each summer, while her parents are vacationing, Madeleine is sent off to Paris to work in her uncle’s restaurant. Because of his insecurities as a chef, her uncle, Monsieur Lard, forbids his talented niece from cooking, assigning her instead to washing dishes and other cleaning. When Monsieur Lard realizes that he might be able to replicate Madame Pamplemousse’s Most Incredible Edible Ever Tasted and pass it off as his own creation, he volunteers Madeleine to work as Madame Pamplemousse’s assistant, hoping his niece will be able show more to obtain access to the recipe. It is here that Madeleine is taught more about cooking to enhance her talent.

For a book that is widely imaginative in many other areas (for instance, Madame Pamplemousse’s cat is also a chef), the text is accurate and realistic in terms of economic concepts. It is clearly delineated throughout that goods are bought and sold with money (or an occasional barter) and that consumers’ demands can influence what producers sell.

In addition, children will be able to clearly see what makes a good employer by the sharp contrast between Monsieur Lard and Madame Pamplemousse. These two characters also highlight the difference between wants and needs. Monsieur Lard engages in workplace bullying and wants to be the most famous chef alive. Madame Pamplemousse, on the other hand, treats Madeleine with respect and does not want to become famous “for she makes enough to get by and is happy each day to awake at dawn, drink a small black coffee and open up her shop, serving her customers and meeting with her suppliers” (page 6).

While this chapter book seems long at first glance, the large text and the many illustrations interspersed throughout help make this book a fairly quick read.

I did this review for EconKids. Read the full text here: http://www.fas.rutgers.edu/cms/econkids/index.php?option=com_content&task=vi... show less

Madeleine, neglected by her parents, was sent each summer to work for her uncle, Monsieur Lard. Monsieur Lard ran a restaurant in the centre of Paris called The Squealing Pig. Madeleine would have loved working at The Squealing Pig if she had been allowed to cook. She loved to cook for others, sharing her passion for food.

Unfortunately for Madeleine, at The Squealing Pig, her role was more that of a Cinderella then a Top Chef. She spent her days at the kitchen sink, large stacks of dishes and pots were heaped about her, all covered in filthy grease. If she was very lucky she was allowed to clean out the fridges and empty the bins. On very rare occasions she was allowed to leave to restaurant to collect supplies.

On one such occasion when show more Madeleine was out in search of a particular pate that was a favourite of Monsieur Lard's, Madeleine was distracted by a cat, and soon found herself in a tiny little shop tucked away in a back alley. There was something very different about this shop, something strange and unusual.

The shelves were all lined with exotic and unbelievable foods, and when Madeleine produced a pate that was something quite special, from this little shop, Monsieur Lard decided to steal it for himself. Is Madeleine able to escape Monsieur Lard's evil plans and discover what is most important?

A charmingly written story, with the traditional 'happily every after' ending. Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles is a colourful and magical fairytale that mixes the strangest of ingredients from your most wild imaginings, such as Tyrannosaurus Rex Tongues, Crocodile Kidneys and Cobra Brains, with a delightfully simple story of courage and hope. show less

This is a simple and magical little children's book, filled with delightful illustrations. Madeleine, although a talented chef, is forced to wash dishes in her evil uncle Monsieur Lard's restaurant, The Squealing Pig. One day she happens upon a mysterious shop run by Madame Pamplemousse and her cat, Camembert. The shop is filled with all sorts of strange and incredible edibles. Of course, Madeleine's greasy uncle wants to steal the secret recipe. What follows is a sweet, rewarding story. My only complaint was that it was too short! Recommended.

I read this over a leisurely breakfast one morning. I really liked it. It's a cute story of a little girl recognizing that an adult is doing wrong and overcoming it. Very fanciful.

Madeleine hates working at her uncle’s horrible, disgusting restaurant over the summer. Luckily she stumbled upon Madame Pamplemousse’s shop where she discovers the best delectable spread. She brings it back to her Uncle’s shop and it instantly turns the food from being horrible to excellent. So her Uncle concocts a scheme to barter his niece to help out in Madame’s shop to find out the recipe to her spread. Does she find out the recipe? Well you just have to read the book.

This book is highly recommended for 3rd and 4th grade foodies who love to spend time in the kitchen. A fast read and will make you want to whip up a recipe.