Community Soup
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
In a small Kenyan village, children gather to help Kioni prepare the community soup. Each child brings something different to share, from sweet potatoes to tomatoes. However, the goats have escaped and are wreaking havoc in the village. As Kioni and the children work together to gather the goats and save the vegetables, they learn valuable lessons about teamwork and community. The bestselling picture book now includes an enhanced edition with four pages of activity prompts and discussion questions. In a garden outside a Kenyan schoolhouse, children are working together to harvest the vegetables they have grown and make them into a soup for everyone to share. But Kioni is having trouble with her herd of mischievous goats, who followed her to school and are trying to eat the vegetables. The children cleverly resolve the chaos, making their vegetable soup tasty while saving Kioni's goats at the same time. The story is told in rollicking verse with echoes of 'Mary had a Little Lamb,' and is accompanied by Alma Fullerton's stunning primitive paper sculpture art. The book also includes a soup recipe and extra back matter on growing food, celebrating communities, creating collage art, and connecting beyond the text.
Age
4-7
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Kioni
Discussion points
What kinds of vegetables did the children in the book add to the soup, and which one would you like to try?
How do you think working together helped the children make the soup?
What would you add to a community soup if you could contribute any ingredient?
Why is it important to share and cooperate with others when working on a project?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the importance of community and teamwork portrayed in the book. Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into their understanding and relate the story to their everyday experiences. Highlight the fun and creativity in cooking together, and perhaps plan a cooking activity where your child can pick and add ingredients, mirroring the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: In 'Community Soup', children work together to gather vegetables and make a soup that everyone enjoys. This collaborative effort showcases the importance of working as a team.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or helping with family projects at home, understanding that teamwork can lead to successful and enjoyable outcomes.
Example Lesson: Sharing and generosity
Explanation: The story emphasizes the joy of sharing, as all the children contribute what they can to the soup pot, demonstrating that everyone’s contribution is valuable, no matter how small.
Real-World Application: This can be translated into a child's life by encouraging them to share their toys, snacks, or time with others, reinforcing that sharing is a key part of building friendships and community bonds.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of diverse cultures
Explanation: Through the variety of vegetables added to the soup, 'Community Soup' introduces children to different cultures and the concept of diversity, reflecting a community's cultural richness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and explore different cultural foods, traditions, and practices in their community, promoting an inclusive attitude and greater cultural understanding.
Example Lesson: Value of hard work
Explanation: The children in the book put in the effort to prepare the soup, from gathering ingredients to cooking, illustrating the rewards of hard work and dedication.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of effort in achieving goals, whether it's completing school projects, chores, or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Nutrition and healthy eating
Explanation: As the children choose a variety of vegetables for the soup, this story subtly promotes the importance of eating a balanced, nutritious diet.
Real-World Application: Parents can use this narrative to encourage their children to try different vegetables and explain the health benefits of each, making mealtime both fun and educational.