Customer Reviews

Surprise Soup

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up the book from the local library. At first, I was a bit worried that it has too many words for my 4 and 2-years-old. But you know what? They love it so much that they sit through the entire reading, again and again. There are many parts that they giggle non-stop. It is a very heart-warming story about making a surprise soup for mommy, written from the perspective of the little brother. (Many books are about big brother/sister welcoming young sibling.) Honestly, I am a bit surprised by other reviewer's comment on being sexist (I don't realize it at all) and sibling rivalry (a pretty good depiction of real life but they all get a long at the end of the day). Highly recommend it.

Have you ever been reading a new unknown book to your child and all of a sudden find yourself fumbling to quickly change offensive lines/sentiments on-the-spot? That was my experience with Surprise Soup. Perhaps the author doesn't realize that "mom says men make the best cooks" is sexist. At the very least, I don't want to pass that message on to my daughter, and, if I had a son, I wouldn't want to reinforce sexist stereotypes by reading this story to him.

I also was put off by the overall "sibling rivalry" storyline--we don't have to perpetuate these beliefs and language.

I originally got this book because I love G. Brian Karas' as a superb illustrator of children's books. I have enjoyed every one of his illustrated books except "Surprise Soup". I highly recommend the other books Karas has illustrated, which tend to be funny and quirky.

Mary Ann Rodman's SURPRISE SOUP tells of Kevie, excited that he'll no longer be the littlest in his family when his mother has a new baby. Adults think Kevie might not be much help, but he'll be the one to save the day and make his mother's homecoming and her new arrival welcome. An exceptional acquisition, highly recommended.