Cactus Soup by Eric A. Kimmel and Phil Huling
1. Bibliography
Kimmel, Eric A., and Phil Huling. Cactus soup. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2004.
ISBN: 978-0761458326
2. Plot Summary
Cactus Soup is a take on the folktale Stone Soup. In this Mexican version, a group of soldiers heads into the town of San Miguel. The town is aware of how soldiers eat and eat, so in an effort to not lose all of their food to the troop, they hide everything and change their clothes in order to appear poor. When the group of soldiers arrives at the town their request for food is declined. The captain offers to make cactus soup. With the help of all the townspeople, their curiosity, and their delight, the captain makes a delicious pot of chili, chicken and veggie soup.
3. Critical Analysis
This tale, as told by Kimmel, shares the same story and moral as Stone Soup, but with the added touch of history and Mexican culture. Kimmel incorporates several aspects of the story in Spanish, but not to worry! He includes a glossary with English translations and a historical note explaining that the story takes place during the Mexican Revolution. The reader follows the story with amusement as the townspeople help the soldiers create this curious “cactus soup”. The soup begins with simply a thorn from a cactus and some water but quickly grows into a delicious hearty stew. The town can’t help themselves; they have to show their hospitality to the visiting soldiers and they add the captain's list of desired ingredients to the mysterious soup. At the end of the tale, everyone enjoys a delicious bowl of soup, a fiesta, and the town realizes there isn’t anything they can’t accomplish if they work together and pool their resources.
Phil Huling’s illustrations are original and brightly colored. His elongated figures bring about a unique style to this children’s story. Huling’s paintings capture the mood of the story perfectly, the observer and reader can see the townspeople come to life, bustling about with their various items. When the soldiers arrive into town the style of the figures on horseback is reminiscent of Picasso’s painting of Don Quijote. A subtle nod to Don Quijote’s adventures and travels. The colorful watercolors create a picturesque and colorful Mexican landscape.
4. Review Excerpts
From Publisher’s Weekly: “Kimmel, ever the master storyteller, incorporates especially vivid cadences in the words of the wily, world-weary captain; but it's Huling who makes the story sing. His comically exaggerated characters garner laughs without shedding their humanity, while his swooping, elongated lines, and radiant colors recall the sun-drenched earthiness and high spirits of early 20th- century Mexican art.”
From Kirkus Reviews: “Huling’s illustrations, a bit off-putting because of the extreme caricatures of the oversized sombreros are, however, well-suited to the exaggeration of the smoothly told tale… A good choice for those seeking variants of Stone Soup, or books with Mexican themes.”
From Booklist reviewer Jennifer Mattson : “Kimmel's relaxed storytelling, accompanied by a glossary for those whose Spanish vocabulary may not encompass camote (sweet potato) and alcalde (mayor), is perfectly matched by the sun-baked watercolors by Huling, whose lanky villagers dwarfed by looming sombreros, swaybacked horses, and bowlegged vaqueros evoke both the exaggerated perspectives of Mexican muralists and the tongue-in-cheek universe of Speedy Gonzales. A savory stew to serve alongside traditional versions of the classic tale.”
5. Connections
Other Versions of Stone Soup to compare with students
Bone Soup
By Cambria Evans
ISBN: 978-0544668362
Stone Soup
By Heather Forest and Illustrated by Susan Gaber
ISBN: 978-0874836028
Other Adaptations of Folk Tales
Armadilly Chili (A take on The Little Red Hen)
By Helen Ketteman Illustrated by Will Terry
ISBN: 978-0807504581
The Dog Who Cried Wolf (a take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf)
By Keiko Kasza
ISBN: 978-0399242472
The Ugly Duckling
By: Rachel Isadora
ISBN13: 978-0399250293
As an activity, students could read multiple versions and variants of these classic tales and maybe write a spin of their own incorporating their own likes and interests.
Kimmel, Eric A., and Phil Huling. Cactus soup. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2004.
ISBN: 978-0761458326
2. Plot Summary
Cactus Soup is a take on the folktale Stone Soup. In this Mexican version, a group of soldiers heads into the town of San Miguel. The town is aware of how soldiers eat and eat, so in an effort to not lose all of their food to the troop, they hide everything and change their clothes in order to appear poor. When the group of soldiers arrives at the town their request for food is declined. The captain offers to make cactus soup. With the help of all the townspeople, their curiosity, and their delight, the captain makes a delicious pot of chili, chicken and veggie soup.
3. Critical Analysis
This tale, as told by Kimmel, shares the same story and moral as Stone Soup, but with the added touch of history and Mexican culture. Kimmel incorporates several aspects of the story in Spanish, but not to worry! He includes a glossary with English translations and a historical note explaining that the story takes place during the Mexican Revolution. The reader follows the story with amusement as the townspeople help the soldiers create this curious “cactus soup”. The soup begins with simply a thorn from a cactus and some water but quickly grows into a delicious hearty stew. The town can’t help themselves; they have to show their hospitality to the visiting soldiers and they add the captain's list of desired ingredients to the mysterious soup. At the end of the tale, everyone enjoys a delicious bowl of soup, a fiesta, and the town realizes there isn’t anything they can’t accomplish if they work together and pool their resources.
Phil Huling’s illustrations are original and brightly colored. His elongated figures bring about a unique style to this children’s story. Huling’s paintings capture the mood of the story perfectly, the observer and reader can see the townspeople come to life, bustling about with their various items. When the soldiers arrive into town the style of the figures on horseback is reminiscent of Picasso’s painting of Don Quijote. A subtle nod to Don Quijote’s adventures and travels. The colorful watercolors create a picturesque and colorful Mexican landscape.
4. Review Excerpts
From Publisher’s Weekly: “Kimmel, ever the master storyteller, incorporates especially vivid cadences in the words of the wily, world-weary captain; but it's Huling who makes the story sing. His comically exaggerated characters garner laughs without shedding their humanity, while his swooping, elongated lines, and radiant colors recall the sun-drenched earthiness and high spirits of early 20th- century Mexican art.”
From Kirkus Reviews: “Huling’s illustrations, a bit off-putting because of the extreme caricatures of the oversized sombreros are, however, well-suited to the exaggeration of the smoothly told tale… A good choice for those seeking variants of Stone Soup, or books with Mexican themes.”
From Booklist reviewer Jennifer Mattson : “Kimmel's relaxed storytelling, accompanied by a glossary for those whose Spanish vocabulary may not encompass camote (sweet potato) and alcalde (mayor), is perfectly matched by the sun-baked watercolors by Huling, whose lanky villagers dwarfed by looming sombreros, swaybacked horses, and bowlegged vaqueros evoke both the exaggerated perspectives of Mexican muralists and the tongue-in-cheek universe of Speedy Gonzales. A savory stew to serve alongside traditional versions of the classic tale.”
5. Connections
Other Versions of Stone Soup to compare with students
Bone Soup
By Cambria Evans
ISBN: 978-0544668362
Stone Soup
By Heather Forest and Illustrated by Susan Gaber
ISBN: 978-0874836028
Other Adaptations of Folk Tales
Armadilly Chili (A take on The Little Red Hen)
By Helen Ketteman Illustrated by Will Terry
ISBN: 978-0807504581
The Dog Who Cried Wolf (a take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf)
By Keiko Kasza
ISBN: 978-0399242472
The Ugly Duckling
By: Rachel Isadora
ISBN13: 978-0399250293
As an activity, students could read multiple versions and variants of these classic tales and maybe write a spin of their own incorporating their own likes and interests.
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