“I loved this book because it teaches such an important lesson about working together as a community. Our community is not just our neighborhood but also our school, workplace, and professional community. We can interpret this book in many ways for children, but the beauty of a lesson like this is that it can have different meanings for each individual. It's a story not only about sharing but being generous and understanding that a small contribution can lead to a much more significant change that can benefit an entire group of people.”

gravitybread — Rebecca Eisenberg

“PreSchool-Grade 1A—As they did in The Baker's Dozen (1993) and The Woman Who Flummoxed the Fairies (1990, both Harcourt), this storyteller and illustrator have once again collaborated in the retelling of a traditional tale. Unlike Marcia Brown's classic version in which three hungry French soldiers are returning from war (Scribners, 1947), this Stone Soup is not linked to any particular time or place. The straightforward, didactic retelling concludes with the lesson (for those readers who somehow missed it):" 'These two travelers made such a delicious soup out of a stone.' 'Out of a stone,' said the travelers with a grin, 'and a magical ingredient...sharing.'" Gaber's brilliantly colored paintings illuminate a mountain village with a multicultural population.”

School Library Journal — Kathleen Whalin

“Storyteller Forest, acknowledging the French (Marcia Bron's Stone Soup [1947]) and Swedish (Harve and Margot Zemach's Nail Soup [1964]) versions of this tales, makes her setting a contemporary village. Two hungry and weary travelers approach the residents asking for food and are refused at every turn until they convince people they can make soup from a stone. Of course, it tastes even better when carrots, potatoes, corn, and other delicious items are added to the broth. Eventually, the villagers realize that the real secret ingredient is sharing. The simple, direct telling is enhanced by adding several folkloric-style rhymes and Gaber's rich acrylic paintings that depict a multiethnic global village and brightly colored vegetables. Appended with a recipe for the soup, young listeners and storytellers alike will welcome this”

Booklist — Kay Weisman

“The author notes that this little European folk tale has been circulating for centuries. But it's the magic ingredient in the "stone soup" that makes this legend as pertinent today as it was centuries ago. In this retelling, two travelers passing through a small village become hungry and go door-to-door inquiring if anyone might have something for them to eat. After several rejections, the pair decide that the townspeople must be more desperate for food than they are and suggest making a "stone soup." They borrow a large pot, fill it with water, and throw in an ordinary stone. They then ask for a carrot, a potato, and a "few more" donations. One by one, the townspeople come forward, sharing their vegetables and seasonings to make a most delicious soup for the entire crowd. And herein lies the soup's most important ingredient, sharing. Gaber's richly-colored acrylic paintings are the perfect garnish to this well-seasoned, timeless tale. ”

Ithaca Times — Judy Bergeron

“Stone Soup is a classic folk tale told for centuries in various languages. Though the central characters vary a bit, the theme is always about sharing. As the story goes, a hungry traveler (or travelers, or soldiers) turns into a village looking for a meal. Instead of inviting him to dinner, the villages hide their food. The traveler gently tricks them into sharing by showing them how to make stone soup--the traveler provides a stone, the curious villagers bring the other ingredients. In the end, everyone enjoys a feast. Stone Soup by Heather Forest places the tale in a contemporary village. The large-sized book with its bright illustrations is a nice way to introduce guests to the story. ”

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