Hammer Soup
PreSchool-Grade 3–Through a combination of classic themes and wonderfully detailed, quirky watercolors, this oft-told tale comes to life. Hardworking Kate is neat and tidy, and her garden is well tended, but she does not like to share. Bruce the giant builds a lopsided, rickety shack next door, and he would much rather spend his time fishing and playing than getting ready for winter. When the harsh weather comes, his house is blown away and he loses everything. Kate opens her house to him, but with the reminder that he may not share her food. His solution is to make soup from water, salt, and a hammer. He says it would be delicious if he only had some nails and bolts, but sausage and vegetables could be used in a pinch (sound familiar?). Children will delight in the whimsical illustrations as well as in the humor of this book; although the story would be a great read-aloud, the details in the paintings beg to be pored over up close.–Genevieve Gallagher, Orange County Public Library, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.