Stone Soup
I decided a few days ago that this week’s Children’s Book Monday, would be on Stone Soup. What I did not realize, however, if that there are a myriad of versions of this story, from all around the world. Since I have read no version other than the one I have at home, I will describe and give suggestions for mine. I should be noted, however, that the book cover and Amazon link that I have provided here are NOT the same as my version (although they are both published by Scholastic, so they are hopefully similar).
A classic trickster tale, Stone Soup, describes one hungry man’s efforts to procure a meal from an old woman. He intrigues her with the thought of making soup from a stone. Then tricks her to add more ingredients from her own garden and cupboard until finally a full soup has been made (including carrots, salt, chicken, etc.).
Although I don’t really want to teach my kids how to trick others, trickster tales are classic folk tales and can be treated as such (as well as spark discussions about what tricking is). I like the repetitive lines in the book, “Soup from a stone. Fancy that!” And great descriptions of ingredients, such as “crunchy, orange carrots” or “plump, fresh chicken”.
Speech Therapy Suggestions:
1. “Stone” Great word for working on /s/ blends. For children that typically leave off one sound in the blend, work on making a really long “sssssssssss” every time that word comes up. Have the parent read the book like that several times. Then tell the child that every time that word comes up in the book, the parent will point to the child and then need to say the word with the long /s/ sound.
2. Repetitive lines are great for language learning. For a non-verbal or minimally verbal child, use a BigMack to pre-record “Soup from a stone. Fancy that!” and cue the child to hit the button whenever that line comes up in the story. For a verbal child, tell them that they are the chorus and need to say that line whenever it comes up.
3. Descriptions are great for language advancement. My version of the story uses 2 adjectives to describe almost all of the ingredients. Talk about those descriptive words. Write them down. Then go through your own kitchen and try to use 2 adjectives to describe things you find.
I have this copy of the book… we always re-told it while making our own stone soup. you can also cut out magazine pictures and put them in a pot having the children describe what they would want in their stone soup
It is amazing the difference that a good writer can make with a common folk tale. I have been sadly dissapointed with some of the audio book sI bought of our favorite tales because the different version isn’t as poetic or free flowing.
When I was a teachers aide years ago we did this book and made Stone Soup with the kids.
Love that book! In kindergarten we actually made “stone soup” to go along w/ the book!
Great book! I have read it to my students many times. I gave you some bling and tagged you for a meme.
I remember reading this book as a child (a long, long, long time ago). Great therapy suggestions!
One of my favorites! And, yes, we used to make Stone Soup with my classes.
Great choice!
My mom remembers reading this as a kid & just bought a copy to share with my daughter. She said it was one of those stories that just stuck with you.