1. Bibliography
Kimmel, Eric A. 2004. Cactus Soup. Ill. by Phil Huling. New York: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 0761451552.
2. Plot Summary
The townspeople of San Miguel, Mexico are not happy to learn that a troop of soldiers are on their way into town! "Soldiers are all alike," the Mayor grumbles in worry that the soldiers will eat up all the food in town. The people hide their food, dress in dirty rags, and smear mud on their faces in hopes of convincing the soldiers that they are poor and do not have any food to share. The "capitan" of the troop, seeing through the townspeople's act, announces that they will just have to make "cactus soup" from one cactus thorn. Using the citizens' own curiosity and reverse psychology, the captain convinces them to contribute food ingredients to the soup ("Too bad you don't have any onions. Cactus soup always tastes better with onions. But why ask for what you don't have?") By the end of the book, the people share a huge fiesta with the troop and are better for the experience although they are not quite sure how they fed so many people with just "cactus soup".
3. Critical Analysis
Kimmel's retelling of the classic "Stone Soup" tale is set in Mexico during the time of the Mexican Revolution and depicts a poor village wanting to conserve their food, which would have been a realistic situation. The immersion of this story into Mexican culture is complete from the spicy ingredients of the soup to the Spanish words in italics that are used throughout the story (ex. sombreros, bandeleros, amigos) Kimmel even included a glossary in the back of the book that defines the Spanish terms used. What really captures the Hispanic essence of this book, however, is the earth tone watercolor pictures that Phil Huling created for this story. Characters with fun expressions are shown in authentic Mexican dress and the adobe buildings and earthy colors used depict the hot, sunny landscapes of Mexico.
The theme of this story, as in all "Stone Soup" story variations, is that sharing what you have with your fellow man benefits all and creates a joyful heart. It also demonstrates how you can accomplish much with very little when everyone contributes.
4. Review Excerpts
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."
School Library Journal-"... a wonderful example of the international appeal–and ready adaptation–of timeless tales of human nature."
Booklist-"...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.
Kirkus Reviews-"A good choice for those seeking variants of Stone Soup, or books with Mexican themes."
5. Connections
With younger grades, this story could be turned into a reader's theater complete with creating "Cactus Soup" for the students to eat.
With older students, this book could also enrich a unit on the Mexican Revolution or any celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Other variations of the "Stone Soup" tale are:
Brown, Marcia. Stone Soup. ISBN 0689711034
Davis, Aubrey. Bone Button Borscht. ISBN 1550743260
Forest, Heather. Stone Soup. ISBN 0874836026
Other folktales with a Southwestern or Mexican flavor:
Kimmel, Eric. The Runaway Tortilla. ISBN 189081718X
Kimmel, Eric. The Three Cabritos. ISBN 0761453431
Ketteman, Helen. Armadilly Chili. ISBN 0807504580
Kimmel, Eric A. 2004. Cactus Soup. Ill. by Phil Huling. New York: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 0761451552.
2. Plot Summary
The townspeople of San Miguel, Mexico are not happy to learn that a troop of soldiers are on their way into town! "Soldiers are all alike," the Mayor grumbles in worry that the soldiers will eat up all the food in town. The people hide their food, dress in dirty rags, and smear mud on their faces in hopes of convincing the soldiers that they are poor and do not have any food to share. The "capitan" of the troop, seeing through the townspeople's act, announces that they will just have to make "cactus soup" from one cactus thorn. Using the citizens' own curiosity and reverse psychology, the captain convinces them to contribute food ingredients to the soup ("Too bad you don't have any onions. Cactus soup always tastes better with onions. But why ask for what you don't have?") By the end of the book, the people share a huge fiesta with the troop and are better for the experience although they are not quite sure how they fed so many people with just "cactus soup".
3. Critical Analysis
Kimmel's retelling of the classic "Stone Soup" tale is set in Mexico during the time of the Mexican Revolution and depicts a poor village wanting to conserve their food, which would have been a realistic situation. The immersion of this story into Mexican culture is complete from the spicy ingredients of the soup to the Spanish words in italics that are used throughout the story (ex. sombreros, bandeleros, amigos) Kimmel even included a glossary in the back of the book that defines the Spanish terms used. What really captures the Hispanic essence of this book, however, is the earth tone watercolor pictures that Phil Huling created for this story. Characters with fun expressions are shown in authentic Mexican dress and the adobe buildings and earthy colors used depict the hot, sunny landscapes of Mexico.
The theme of this story, as in all "Stone Soup" story variations, is that sharing what you have with your fellow man benefits all and creates a joyful heart. It also demonstrates how you can accomplish much with very little when everyone contributes.
4. Review Excerpts
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."
School Library Journal-"... a wonderful example of the international appeal–and ready adaptation–of timeless tales of human nature."
Booklist-"...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.
Kirkus Reviews-"A good choice for those seeking variants of Stone Soup, or books with Mexican themes."
5. Connections
With younger grades, this story could be turned into a reader's theater complete with creating "Cactus Soup" for the students to eat.
With older students, this book could also enrich a unit on the Mexican Revolution or any celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Other variations of the "Stone Soup" tale are:
Brown, Marcia. Stone Soup. ISBN 0689711034
Davis, Aubrey. Bone Button Borscht. ISBN 1550743260
Forest, Heather. Stone Soup. ISBN 0874836026
Other folktales with a Southwestern or Mexican flavor:
Kimmel, Eric. The Runaway Tortilla. ISBN 189081718X
Kimmel, Eric. The Three Cabritos. ISBN 0761453431
Ketteman, Helen. Armadilly Chili. ISBN 0807504580
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