Kimmel, Eric A. Cactus Soup. Ill. by Phil Huling. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2004. ISBN
9780761458326
Plot Summary:
Cactus Soup begins with a troop of soldiers arriving in the Mexican town of San Miguel. The townspeople fear the soldiers will eat all their food so they hide everything. They also put on dirty clothing and smear mud on their faces so they will look like hungry, poor people. The mayor tells the soldiers they have no food and the captain says that it is fine, they will just make cactus soup. He begins with a large cactus thorn, but starts suggesting items that will make the soup more delicious. Miraculously, the suggested items appear. He keeps recommending things that would be good in the soup and the people scramble to unhide the wanted items. Towards the end, he proposes adding tortillas, tamales, sweet potatoes, and a roasting pig. The captain declares that this would make for a fine fiesta with music and dancing. Everything suggested turns up and the townspeople have a wonderful fiesta with the soldiers.
Critical Analysis:
Set in Mexico during the time of the Mexican Revolution, this story reflects the villagers wanting to save their food during a hard time, which is very realistic.The main characters in Cactus Soup are the mayor, the captain, the soldiers, and the townspeople. None are evil, maybe just a bit foolish. The plot is action-filled and humorous; it will keep kids reading until the end. Older readers will appreciate the irony that the townspeople, who were tricking the soldiers, actually got tricked themselves. Yet, in the end, a good time is had by all. The story also provides a humorous way to teach children about sharing. The theme is that sharing what you have benefits all and creates happiness for everyone. It also shows how when we work together we can accomplish so much more.
The illustrations capture the feel of Mexico adding to the setting of the tale. The earth tone watercolor pictures are engaging with bigger than life characters in authentic Mexican dress. The characters are cartoonish and a bit exaggerated. Adobe buildings in earthy colors dot the hot, sunny landscapes of Mexico. The illustrations are fun and kids will get a kick out of looking at them; they also add to the delight of this lively story.
Review Excerpts:
Listen to Eric A. Kimmel read Cactus Soup on http://ericakimmel.com/hear-a-story/.
Gather other books written by Eric A Kimmel to read such as:
Little Red Hot ISBN 9781477816387
Jack and the Giant Barbecue ISBN 9780761461289
The Great Texas Hamster Drive ISBN 9780761453574
The Three Cabritos ISBN 9780761453437
Anansi and the Magic Stick ISBN 9780823417636
Compare/contrast with Stone Soup by Marcia Brown.
Have students bring the ingredients to make cactus soup and share for a snack or lunch.
This book could enrich a unit on the Mexican Revolution or any celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Gather other variations of Stone Soup to read such as:
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown ISBN 9780689711039
Bone Button Borscht by Aubrey Davis ISBN 978-1550743265
Stone Soup by Heather Forest ISBN 978-0874836028
Stone Soup by Ann McGovern ISBN 9780590416023
The Real Story of Stone Soup byYing Chang Compestine ISBN 978-0525474937
Gather other tales with a Southwestern or Mexican setting to read such as:
The Runaway Tortilla by Eric A Kimmel ISBN 978-1890817183
Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman ISBN 978-0807504581
The Three Cabritos ISBN 9780761453437
The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel ISBN 978-0761455196
Cactus Soup begins with a troop of soldiers arriving in the Mexican town of San Miguel. The townspeople fear the soldiers will eat all their food so they hide everything. They also put on dirty clothing and smear mud on their faces so they will look like hungry, poor people. The mayor tells the soldiers they have no food and the captain says that it is fine, they will just make cactus soup. He begins with a large cactus thorn, but starts suggesting items that will make the soup more delicious. Miraculously, the suggested items appear. He keeps recommending things that would be good in the soup and the people scramble to unhide the wanted items. Towards the end, he proposes adding tortillas, tamales, sweet potatoes, and a roasting pig. The captain declares that this would make for a fine fiesta with music and dancing. Everything suggested turns up and the townspeople have a wonderful fiesta with the soldiers.
Critical Analysis:
Set in Mexico during the time of the Mexican Revolution, this story reflects the villagers wanting to save their food during a hard time, which is very realistic.The main characters in Cactus Soup are the mayor, the captain, the soldiers, and the townspeople. None are evil, maybe just a bit foolish. The plot is action-filled and humorous; it will keep kids reading until the end. Older readers will appreciate the irony that the townspeople, who were tricking the soldiers, actually got tricked themselves. Yet, in the end, a good time is had by all. The story also provides a humorous way to teach children about sharing. The theme is that sharing what you have benefits all and creates happiness for everyone. It also shows how when we work together we can accomplish so much more.
The illustrations capture the feel of Mexico adding to the setting of the tale. The earth tone watercolor pictures are engaging with bigger than life characters in authentic Mexican dress. The characters are cartoonish and a bit exaggerated. Adobe buildings in earthy colors dot the hot, sunny landscapes of Mexico. The illustrations are fun and kids will get a kick out of looking at them; they also add to the delight of this lively story.
Review Excerpts:
- From School Library Journal-"Huling's elongated watercolor cartoons provide just the right playful, brown-hued visual temperament for the all-round festive deception."
- From Booklist-"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."
- From Publishers 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. An author’s note explains the political and historical background, and a glossary provides English equivalents of the sparely used Spanish terms. A good choice for those seeking variants of Stone Soup, or books with Mexican themes."
- From Horn Book starred-"A fast-moving narrative rich in Spanish vocabulary and generous with opportunities for audience participation deftly sets "Stone Soup" in Mexico during the Revolution. Bright watercolors create a vibrant setting bursting with yellows, oranges, greens, and browns that reflect the countryside and the hot tempo of the final fiesta."
Listen to Eric A. Kimmel read Cactus Soup on http://ericakimmel.com/hear-a-story/.
Gather other books written by Eric A Kimmel to read such as:
Little Red Hot ISBN 9781477816387
Jack and the Giant Barbecue ISBN 9780761461289
The Great Texas Hamster Drive ISBN 9780761453574
The Three Cabritos ISBN 9780761453437
Anansi and the Magic Stick ISBN 9780823417636
Compare/contrast with Stone Soup by Marcia Brown.
Have students bring the ingredients to make cactus soup and share for a snack or lunch.
This book could enrich a unit on the Mexican Revolution or any celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Gather other variations of Stone Soup to read such as:
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown ISBN 9780689711039
Bone Button Borscht by Aubrey Davis ISBN 978-1550743265
Stone Soup by Heather Forest ISBN 978-0874836028
Stone Soup by Ann McGovern ISBN 9780590416023
The Real Story of Stone Soup byYing Chang Compestine ISBN 978-0525474937
Gather other tales with a Southwestern or Mexican setting to read such as:
The Runaway Tortilla by Eric A Kimmel ISBN 978-1890817183
Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman ISBN 978-0807504581
The Three Cabritos ISBN 9780761453437
The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel ISBN 978-0761455196
No comments:
Post a Comment