¡Holy Molé!

"Legend has it that mole, one of the signature dishes of Mexican cuisine, was created when a monk named Brother Pascual tripped and accidentally spilled the ingredients into a pot. In her debut children's book, McAlister adds a kid's-eye-view twist, positing that an orphaned kitchen boy named Carlos unwittingly created this celebrated concoction. Poor Carlos is convinced he is permanently in the doghouse after causing Brother Pascual to drop ingredients intended for several different courses into the turkey pot. But then "the most delicious smells began to rise from the simmering stew-a rich mixture of chilies, garlic, chocolate and cinnamon." The thick, savory sauce enchants the palates of both the monks and their VIP visitor, the Viceroy. Czernecki's (Zigzag) illustrations never offer a sense of time or place-in fact, he dispenses with backgrounds altogether and provides his angular characters with just enough props to carry the story. Budding foodies-especially young fans of the spontaneous gastronomy of Iron Chef-will likely find this a tale to pique their appetites."

"Holy Mole was inspired by a much-loved tale about the origins of the Mexican dish called mole. Written by Caroline McAlister and illustrated by Stefan Czernecki , those aged 5-8 will thoroughly enjoy this one..."

This oversized full-color book will delight children as Carlos, an orphan boy, is working in the monastery kitchen, trying to keep out of the way, but gets into trouble.

The Spanish Viceroy is coming for a visit and expected in a short time. The cooks are busy preparing the dinner, when Carlos crashes into Brother Pascual who is carrying a tray of many ingredients. They fall into the pot of simmering turkey stew. When it seems there will be no dinner for the Viceroy, they taste the stew and it is most delicious.

The Viceroy declares it the best dish he has ever tasted and so Molé becomes a special sauce, served over turkey or chicken on special feast days in Mexico.

Mexican tradition holds that the dark, aromatic molé sauce was the accidental discovery of either a simple monk or a convent nun. McAlister puts a twist on the tale by introducing Carlos, a young orphan, as the catalyst for the creation of this recipe that combines common ingredients in an unusual way. Simple illustrations support the story, which works well as a read-aloud.

Carlos and the brothers of the monastery have a wonderful accident which is this retelling of the traditional Mexican tale explaining the origins of molé. The result is the savory chocolate sauce that is served over turkey or chicken.

The author of this book has a triad connection; she teaches at Guilford College in Greensboro. This story, which is her first picture book, was inspired by the legend of how the Mexican national dish of mole came to be. Mole, it seems, can take up to 35 ingredients and is a dish of spices, turkey, nuts and chocolate. Caroline McAlister embellishes the legend of the Spanish viceroy's visit to a monastery. His impending visit stirs up tension in the kitchen.

When Carlos, a young orphan and kitchen helper, trips and upsets the main dish, the monks pray for a miracle. The resulting mole saves the day and becomes a national favorite. Unfortunately, a recipe does not accompany the book. However, with 35 ingredients, that might be a little too much cooking anyway!

Caroline McAlister grew up in Sacramento and graduated from Country Day School. Now she lives and teaches in North Carolina. While visiting her parents in 2003, she took her young daughters to the Crocker Art Museum to see an exhibit of Mexican folk art.

When the youngsters got fussy, a docent took them aside and told them a folk tale about the ceramic tree-of-life candelabra by an artist from Oaxaca.

"The candelbra had monks carrying platters of food," McAlister said from her home on the East Coast. The folk tale propelled her to research the legend's origins and write her first picture book, "Holy Molé!" To intrigue children, she added a young boy to the story about Brother Pascual and the origin of molé, a thick, savory sauce with chocolate.

The boy, Carlos, is an orphan who works for food at a monastery. One day he's scrubbing the floor when the monks learn that the Spanish viceroy will arrive in two hours. The brothers scramble to prepare a fine meal. Each is assigned a job: chop chilies, pluck a turkey, prepare a fire and grind corn for tortillas. Carlos helps pat out the tortillas. He works hungry and watches for a wayward morsel.

Soon the ingredients for five sauces and two desserts are prepared. Just as they are being carried by Brother Pascual, Carlos darts for a raisin bun on the floor and collides with Pascual. Suddenly the air is full of onions, chilies, cumin, garlic, chocolate and cinnamon. Many of the flying spices land in the pot with the turkey. The viceroy arrives. Panic. Then delectable smells begin to emerge from the simmering stew. "Delicioso!"

Illustrator Stefan Czernecki creates lively characters with simple shapes in shades of brown with accents in red and black. He uses circles for heads and eyes. Set on a white background, his drawings vibrate with humor and emotion.

While children enjoy Carlos' luck at escaping punishment, grown-ups can savor the legend behind one of Mexico's splendid sauces. It's often served over turkey or chicken.

In an author note, McAlister writes that the Spanish get credit for the sauce that "probably originated with the Aztecs." She also shares sources and Web sites.