This review was originally published by me three years ago. I have updated and reposted. I hope you enjoy!

When my husband and I lived in Atlanta I was a preschool teacher. One of the most beloved books for my four-year-old students was Stone Soup by Marcia Brown.

Brown first published the book in 1947 and today remains one of her most popular books to date It won the Caldecott Medal and was awarded the ALA Notable Children's Book award. Perhaps most important of all, it got the seal of approval from the beloved Captain Kangaroo himself, as he read it to generations of young children on his television show. With its timeless story line and valuable lessons, it will quickly become one of your child's favorites as well.

The illustrations in this version are nicely done, though they are only in three colors: black, white and red. This does not take anything away from the book, indeed it lends to the book's timeless quality.

The story begins with three soldiers trudging hungrily down the road after the wars. They come into a village with less than hospitable townspeople who fail to offer them food, drink or shelter. All claim to be poor with nothing to share. The soldiers declare that they should all make Stone Soup since everyone is destitute. The soldiers claim that all they need to make a hearty soup is a soup pot and three round smooth stones. As they stir, they exclaim "This will be a fine soup, but how much better it would be with some carrots" and off someone runs to retrieve them. Pretty soon each townsperson has contributed an ingredient such as cabbage, milk, beef, seasonings, etc., and the soldiers have indeed come up with a hearty soup, as promised! They are heralded as heroes and given the best accommodations and kudos from the townsfolk!

The book is filled with dancing, singing, and thinking on your toes! It also conveys a giving spirit among your fellow man. I've found young children love the theme of "outwitting" others who are less bright than they see themselves and this book does just that.

The story may be a bit more advanced for some four year olds, but my group loved it. Here are some other activities we did that related to the book:

1. We made stone soup ourselves, with each child in the class bringing an ingredient from home. The children loved this, and even the ones who claimed to hate vegetables gobbled this soup right up!

2. I made a story board of felt and told the story with the help of children adding the felt ingredients. This is a great way to make the story interactive.

3. I also memorized this and retold the story to the group without the aid of pictures. This helped develop my young students listening skills.

All of these ideas can easily be done at home with your own young children. They will be thrilled, and maybe you can actually get a vegetable or two inside of them!

This book is a quick read with predictable phrases that children catch on to and repeat with you. It makes a wonderful bedtime story!

Recommended: Yes