Monsieur Saguette and His Baguette

Rating:
Summary: Thank goodness Mr. Saguette never heard of Dr. Atkins!
Review: With so many children's books hitting the market every year, it takes a superior sense of fun to stand out. Frank Asch's hysterically bizarre "Monsieur Saguette and His Baguette" has the wit to do just that.

The title character, a simple Frenchman with a predilection for soup and bread, visits his local boulangerie in search of his favorite staple. Baguette in hand, he then sets off on a series of rescues, saving the day with his all-purpose baked good. When France is crawling with crocodilians ready to consume infants, trust Mr. Saguette to find a way to wedge the gator's jaws open with his trusty lunch. Robbers stand no chance against his loaf; marching bands (France is loaded with them, right?) can only march thanks to this man's love for bread. Like "The Simpsons" inanimate carbon rod, Mr. Saguette's baguette continually saves the day. It's about as daffy as daffy gets.

Everyone we've shared this book with has laughed at its wackiness. My wife wonders why Mr. Saguette would want to eat his baguette after a gator's slobbered all over it, but who's enforcing logic on this food-obsessed Frenchman?

There's nothing not to like here, from the simple illustrations to the witty story. Author Asch has created a clever character who is both whimsical and sincere. I hope for all of us that we get more of this Gallic gourmand.

Highly recommended for young children...and their parents, too.