The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef

The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef by Sophie Masson and Cheryl Orsini (Little Hare) RRP: $24.99 ISBN 9781761211225

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This is a charming little matchmaking tale nestled inside the comforts of friendship, glorious memories and delicious food! This sumptuous picture book, dripping with sweet pink that reminds me of cake icing and macarons, starts with Lucas who introduces us to a seaside town in France where his two favourite people live. His Aunt Violette, a pastry chef, and the fishmonger, Cyprien.

Lucas loves Violette, and he's always happy to see Cyprien. There's a glow to the relationship between the young and old here. But the real stars of the book are the different kinds of French food. Both Masson and Orsini and pour their passion onto the page and Lucas is the embodiment of that.

Readers will look at the pastry shop with the "berets Basques with chocolate tops, tartes aux fraises, glossy with strawberries, and gateaux Russe, resplendent with hazelnut meringue and coffee cream" and lick their lips then turn the page and be bombarded with a buffet of "crusty bread and salty ham, wheels of cheese and spears of asparagus, and bright red peppers, tomatoes and cherries ... silvery shoals of fish, spiky squads of lobsters ..."

Masson doesn't hold back and doesn't simplify her food list. Some children may find certain foodie terms a little challenging, but it's a great chance for them to expand their vocabulary and immerse themselves in French foodie culture. The pictures explain those details are irresistible. Orsini has captured the joy of abundant food - she says that one of her favourite things to draw is charcuterie. This is evident here.

This book is reminiscent of Paul Gallico's Flowers for Mrs Harris where a woman with childish charm plays matchmaker against a French setting. Except instead of using French fashion as the backdrop, here it's French food. Like Gallico's book, this has a gentle charm to it that will leave a smile on your face as Violette and Cyprien discover happiness, and Lucas discovers the joy of bringing happiness to others.

The story is simple and predictable, but that works for a children's picture book. Celebrating this selfless joy is what makes this book so magical, as well as being immersed in the food culture of France.