THE SECRETS OF PISTOULET: AN ENCHANTED FABLE OF FOOD, MAGIC, AND LOVE

THE SECRETS OF PISTOULET: AN ENCHANTED FABLE OF FOOD, MAGIC, AND LOVE Text and illustrations by Jana Kolpen (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $18.95) Pistoulet is a magical farm in the southwest of France, where the hens lay golden eggs and where food is the way not only to one's heart but also to one's broken heart. The text follows guests who arrive with various maladies and find themselves healed by broth and tea. Potage of Passion (a rich tomato soup) is the remedy for a lackluster love life; Potage of Strength (a mussels concoction) lifts up the weak of body. This lavishly illustrated fairy tale/cookbook looks -- and sounds -- like the best-selling Griffin & Sabine books: Letters can be plucked from their envelopes and read; beautifully painted recipe cards can be removed and used. The Secrets of Pistoulet is not only chicken soup for the soul -- it's torte, and tea, as well. A -- Rebecca Ascher-Walsh