This is an endearing book of a strong community and the love of an animal. Annie Fetlock was blessed by the week day of Thursday. So many instances of her life occurred on Thursday, including her birth, her marriage, her children's birthdays. When her husband Mario did on a Thursday, Annie was in deep grief. Then, a small kitten arrived on a Thursday. And, naturally, she called the cat Thursday.

Thursday was responsible for lifting much of Annie's grief. When Mario died, her love of cooking subsided. Thursday is a funny cat who performs leaps and twirls amazingly. When Annie opens a restaurant featuring the dish of Poke Salad which she is known for. When Thursday jumps and twirls into a dish of rigatoni. This creates a mess, but the dish is very tasty and becomes a well-liked item for the customers.

It is because of Thursday that news spreads far and wide that there is a wonderful place with a special dish. ( )

All of the major events of Annie Fetlock's life occurred on a Thursday. She met her future husband Mario on a Thursday, her children were born on a Thursday, and she opened her diner on a Thursday. But when her beloved Mario became sick and died, she lost her will to cook. It was only when she found a tiny kitten - named Thursday, of course - that she began the slow process of healing, eventually going on to reopen her diner, and thanks to the shenanigans of her new kitty, invent her signature Ugly Pasta dish...

Because of Thursday is one of Polacco's more lighthearted, whimsical stories, as opposed to her family history tear-jerkers. It does touch upon more serious subjects, in the form of Mario's death and Annie's resultant grief, but overall I thought the tone was upbeat. I appreciated the idea, inherent in the story, that our animal companions can bring us healing and joy, and the description of the Ugly Pasta, although sometimes a little graphic (it is described as looking like it had been dragged through someone's armpit!), was amusing. Recommended to Patricia Polacco fans, cat lovers, pasta lovers, and anyone seeking children's stories about loss and healing. ( )

Because of Thursday is a whimsical story of a chef, Annie, and her cat, Thursday. Annie is famous for her "poke salad," a fun play on words on "Polk Salad Annie." Thursday lifts her spirit when she has lost her lust for life, and her diner reopening eventually helps the whole town. The story is light and fun, and the illustrations are full of joy. I think young students would really enjoy this book. ( )

4 ½ stars

This is yet another special book from Patricia Polacco. One of her heartfelt stories. Not the usual kind that make me cry, though there is a sad section, but this one made me smile. It's funny and very sweet.

Detailed and glorious and fun illustrations.

The recipe at the end isn't vegan but it is vegetarian. As with all recipes it could be veganized, though perhaps not as successfully as most dishes.

Especially recommended for cat lovers, pasta lovers, those who enjoy cooking, those who enjoy reading about small town life, and all readers who've enjoyed other of Polacco's picture books. Wide age range for readers and listeners for this story!

I miss Polacco being in Oakland, right across the bay from San Francisco. She seems to be a full time resident in Union City, Michigan now.

The two Polacco published books I've yet to read are waiting for pick up at the library. The Mermaid's Purse and (my library FINALLY ordered it at my request) Still Firetalking, a sequel/continuation of Firetalking. By this time next week I should be caught up with all the books by this author. I am hoping to read many more by her. She's one of my very favorite picture book authors.

Believe me, given the events of this week, I wasn't up for writing this review (or reading or writing anything) but I just can't not review a Patricia Polacco book. However inadequately I have to write something in the review field. ( )

R.L. 3.5