Stone Soup: An Old Tale

by Marcia Brown

Book Overview

First published in 1947, this classic picture book has remained one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring books. The story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689878362
• ISBN13: 9780689878367
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.4" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Very cute book but not good condition

We are using the book but I purchased it in “good condition” and the pages are falling out. It arrived and I shelved it without looking since I needed it for a school assignment but now when we open it it’s really rough shape. 🫤

A Perpetual Favorite with a Good Message!

"Stone Soup" is a favorite folktale in our elementary school library. I just had a class of second graders beg me to read this Caldecott Honor book to them, and--of course--all our copies were immediately checked out.I'm continually surprised--but pleased--that modern kids still enjoy these older illustrations by Marcia Brown, with their limited colors (see cover). This tale is a true classic, and this version has been around for many generations. It's part of the folk tradition in more ways than one. Let's hope we keep "sharing" this tale about sharing for generations to come!

How soup made from stones can feed an entire village.

This children's book, based on an old French folk tale, is about three soldiers who try to convince a small village to provide them with some food. The villagers say they are too poor and can't. The soldiers then reply that they will make stone soup out of stones and water and are able to trick the villagers into having a village-wide feast. Yeats had a one-act play roughly based on this folk tale as well. The book was a 1948 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children.