Stone Soup Book Review

Stone Soup

Muth, Jon J.. Scholastic Press, 2003

Keywords: Community, folklore, Chinese, culture, food, happiness.

This traditional folklore has many different versions, perspectives from different countries, Jon Muth chose to retell this story using the Chinese culture. Having Chinese in my heritage I was drawn to this book. It has beautiful illustrations and a wonderful message about coming together and how it can create much happiness.

It begins with three monks, Hok, Lok and Siew who were walking along a mountain road, one of the monks asked the question, "What makes one happy?" One of the other monks suggested they find out as they came upon a village. This village had been through many trials and had become very untrusting. When the monks arrived at the village, they knocked on doors but no one would answer; they closed their blinds and locked their doors to the monks. With a plan, the monks decide to make stone soup, as they began a brave little girl came and asks them what they were making. This began a line of events that brings this village together again and reminds them what happiness is. As the monks leave the next morning, they discuss how happiness can be found by making something simple as stone soup.

Teaching strategies: In reading reviews for this book the suggested grade levels are younger grades. I believe this book can be a great opening to any type of community building lesson, at any grade level. This story has strong reference to working together to create something wonderful.

I would even go a step further and make something together as a class. Each student would be given something to contribute to the project and the final product would be something everyone could eat, or something to display in the room that they all took part in.

To introduce other cultures, I would use this book, accompanied by other versions from other countries to show the differences and similarities among the cultures. The students would be able to see how the same stories/folktales can be passed down from generation to generations.

Awards: National Association of Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA), 2003 ; and Nautilus Book Award, 2004 (Finalist Children's Illustrated United States)

Reviews: School Library Journal Review:
–Muth has taken this old tale and transplanted it from its traditional European setting to China. The tricksters are no longer hungry travelers or soldiers but Buddhist monks. Their goal in fooling the villagers is not to fill their own stomachs but rather to enlighten them about the happiness that comes from sharing. Muth's characteristic watercolor illustrations, with their striking use of misty hues contrasted with bright primaries, are expertly done and convey a distinct sense of place. In his author's note, the reteller details the elements of Chinese folklore that he incorporated into the story as well as the symbols from Eastern culture used in the artwork. However, Muth's decision to alter the motivation of the tricksters also depresses some of the humor in the story and gives it a moralistic tone. In addition, the likelihood that these initially suspicious and reclusive villagers would become truly happy people as a result of their own gullibility is slim. This is a beautifully executed book with a flawed story line.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ --Grace Oliff (Reviewed March 1, 2003) (School Library Journal, vol 49, issue 3, p222)

Other books by Jon J. Muth: Zen Shorts (Caldecott Honor Book), The Three Questions