Button Soup (Bank Street Level 2*) [Paperback]

Doris Orgel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Bank Street Level 2*

This is a modern retelling of the classic Stone Soup. The gentle tale of cooperation and friendship is warmly brought to life by Estrada's rich, autumnal paintings. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Children familiar with Marcia Brown's Stone Soup (Macmillan, 1979) or Harve Zemach's Nail Soup (Follett, 1964; o.p.) will appreciate this modern version of the classic story. When Rag-Tag Meg approaches a young girl and her grandfather for food, she is turned away. Shortly thereafter, Mandy spots Meg strolling past their house. She goes out to greet the woman, who proceeds to find a button, a pot, and a wooden spoon?all the necessities for creating button soup over an outdoor fire. Urban characters crowd around and contribute parsley, onions, noodles, soup bones, greens, beans, and a carrot. Finally, Mandy retrieves a chicken from her house and brings her grandpa out to join in the fun. Overall, this predictable tale, told in the first person by Mandy, will delight beginning readers. Estrada's full-color illustrations are just right for the story?they depict people of many ethnic groups and both genders. A satisfying choice.?Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bank Street (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553373412
• ISBN-13: 978-0553373417
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,575,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book about a homeless and hungry lady., January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Button Soup (Bank Street Level 2*) (Paperback)

I am a fifth grader at North Hills Traditional Academy. I like this book.It will be interesting to you because everyone wants to help the homeless.This was a good book because it shows how many people help the homeless and hungry.You would like this book because it tells you how to make button soup.Button soup means people working together. It talks about sharing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect updated folk tale., July 27, 2009

By 

Maria Beadnell "gotlips" (NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Button Soup (Bank Street Ready-To-Read) (Hardcover)

There's no point in anybody updating Stone Soup after reading this one. Orgel's version has it all.

It's faithful to the heart of the original tale, which is about inducing people to share without their realizing it, and about people you may feel sorry for actually being more on the ball than you thought. It even respects the modern children's lit requirement of empowering the 8 year old protaganist.

Instead of soldiers, it's a homeless woman, and instead of a rock, it's a wooden button, and the feel is hopeful and warm. The pictures are completely in tune with the characters and story.

My only complaint is that I have had some success as a writer, and I specialize in modernizing folk tales. And I can't improve on this one! Button Soup is the ultimate Stone Soup for a modern audience.