Cactus Soup by Eric A. Kimmel

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Kimmel, Eric A. (2004). Cactus Soup. Ill. by Phil Huling. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 0761458328
PLOT SUMMARY
   In this vibrant and animated adaptation of the traditional Stone Soup tale, Eric Kimmel adds an authentic southwestern flair. Pending the arrival of a troop of soldiers, the mayor of San Miguel instructs the townspeople to hide all their food as “soldiers are all alike” and “They eat like wolves.”
   The townspeople busily hide their food including tamales, tortillas, and chiles. When Señor Capitán hears of the town’s poverty, he resignedly offers to make “cactus soup” slowly encouraging the addition of the hidden ingredients until an abundant feast has been prepared.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS   
   Eric Kimmel sets this cleverly adapted version during the time of the Mexican Revolution; a time when townspeople fought to regain political and economic power. The town of San Miguel is inhabited by a variety of authentic characters: men in huge sombreros, woman in long dresses, children, priests, mariachis, and the plump mayor, Señor Alcalde.
   Illustrator Phil Huling brings these characters to life including the soldiers on “prancing horses” with whimsical interpretations in vivid watercolors. A reader can almost “see” the lanky, relaxed bodies of the townspeople perk up when the soldier, Señor Capitán, suggests adding an ingredient to improve the “cactus soup” but quickly resigns, “Never mind…why ask for what you don’t have?”
REVIEW EXCERPTS
PUBISHER’S WEEKLY review – “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.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST – “A savory stew to serve alongside traditional versions of the classic tale.”
CONNECTIONS
*Students can compare and contrast with another version of the traditional tale.
*Students can discuss persuasion: what it is and how it is different from begging –just as the soldiers persuade the townspeople.
*More books on the traditional tale:
Brown, Marsha. Stone Soup. ISBN 1591127351
Forest, Heather. Stone Soup. ISBN 0874836026
*An even different take on the traditional tale:
Compestine, Ying Chang. The Real Story of Stone Soup. ISBN 0525474935