Bone Soup
What’s inside...
Known across the land for his infamous appetite, Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. When Finnigin finds himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join a great feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever-famished Finnigin. So what’s a hungry skeleton to do? Armed only with his wits and a special ingredient, will Finnigin be able to stir up a cauldron’s worth of Halloween magic?
Discussion points
Why do you think Finnigan was so hungry when he arrived at the village?
How did the villagers' attitude towards Finnigan change throughout the story?
What would you have done if you were one of the villagers when Finnigan first asked for food?
How do you think the bone soup helped everyone in the village?
What lessons can we learn about sharing and community from 'Bone Soup'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story by asking what they would do in similar situations. Praise creative answers to help build their confidence in problem-solving and empathy. Discuss the importance of sharing and community support, and relate it to real-life situations in your child's experiences. Finally, enjoy the imaginative aspect of the book by asking your child to think of other magical meals they could create with just one ingredient.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: In 'Bone Soup,' the main character, Finnigin, uses his wit and minimal resources to create a delicious soup that everyone enjoys.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be inventive and make the most out of what they have, helping them solve problems creatively in daily situations.
Example Lesson: Community Building
Explanation: Throughout the book, Finnigin encourages the skeptical and initially unwilling creatures he meets to contribute to making the soup, promoting a sense of community and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to collaborate with others and appreciate the value of working together towards a common goal, useful in group projects or family activities.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: Finnigin shares the final product - the bone soup - with all contributors, highlighting the importance of sharing and generosity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of sharing with others, which can help in developing friendships and understanding the joy of giving.
Example Lesson: Innovation
Explanation: By turning a plain bone into a tasty soup with the help of the community, Finnigin demonstrates innovation.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination to transform simple items into something great.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Finnigin does not give up on his idea of making soup, even when resources are scarce and initial responses are discouraging.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to persist in their endeavors regardless of obstacles, reinforcing resilience.