Stone Soup
What’s inside...
A clever young man tricks an old woman into believing that soup can be made from a stone. As the pot of water boils with the stone in it, he urges her to add more and more ingredients until the soup is a feast fit for a king. In print for 30 years, Ann McGovern has been writing children's books for over 35 years and has published over 45 titles including STONE SOUP, several books in the IF YOU LIVED.... series, and SCRAM, KID! (Viking, 1974), which won the Horn Book Award. McGovern spent part of her career at Scholastic, where she created the See-Saw Book Club. McGovern lives in New York City. When the little old lady claims she has no food to give him, a hungry young man proceeds to make soup with a stone and water. Turtleback binding is a highly durable alternative to a hardcover or paperback book. The comprehensive cover reinforcement process will drastically combat wear and tear, keeping your favorite books in great condition for years to come! Turtleback books are ideal for any reader, or for use in schools or libraries.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the villagers decide to share their food?
Why do you think the story is called 'Stone Soup'? What does the stone represent?
How do you think the soup would have tasted without the villagers’ ingredients?
How did the villagers' feelings change throughout the story?
What would you have done if you were one of the villagers?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story by asking how they would feel in a similar situation.
Discuss the importance of sharing and community with your child, drawing parallels to their own experiences.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to make the story more engaging and entertaining.
After reading, consider working together to make a simple soup at home, recreating the communal activity from the book.
Ask your child to draw their favorite part of the story, which can lead to further discussion about the plot and characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Stone Soup,' the villagers come together, each adding a different ingredient to the pot, demonstrating the power of working collaboratively.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of teamwork and how cooperating with others can achieve great results, applicable in school projects or family activities.
Example Lesson: Sharing
Explanation: The story shows that by sharing a little bit of what each person has, a greater good is achieved for everyone involved.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by sharing their toys or snacks with friends, fostering a sense of community and generosity.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The strangers in the tale use a plain stone to create a meal by encouraging others to contribute, showcasing innovation and resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be inventive in their solutions, using whatever resources they have at hand whether in play or problem-solving scenarios.
Example Lesson: Community-building
Explanation: By the end of the story, what started as a meal for one becomes a feast for the whole village, illustrating how communal efforts can bring people together.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches kids the value of community spirit and how coming together can make everyone's lives more enjoyable.
Example Lesson: Hospitality
Explanation: The villagers, though initially reluctant, welcome the strangers and contribute to the soup, underlining the importance of hospitality.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to be welcoming and warm in their interactions with new classmates or neighbors, fostering an inclusive environment.