Souped Up!
by Pat Lansmann

The whirlwind of school, activities, and appointments suddenly stopped and deposited you and your family in the wasteland of idle time. Don’t let this summer pass by on cruise control. Now’s the time to get together with friends and throw a big party that everyone can learn from; invite entire families! You’ll have grown-ups to talk with and the kids will be delighted at the Big Play Date! So dust off your summer party shoes, get out your e-mail addresses and plan a party that can draw your kids into learning… incognito. Enlist the older kids to do some research to help you get it off the ground. If you let them know you are depending on their input then you’ll get some enthusiastic results.

Booked Up
A great way to bring everyone together is for a Stone Soup Party. France, Sweden, England, Belgium, and Jamaica all have versions of the tale. There is one with a modern flavor by Forest and one set in China by Muth. Many are available at the library. The common element of all the versions is a hungry traveler encountering folks who do not want to share. Using a stone (or nail) in a pot, the people are enticed to add what they have. In doing so, they have created more than soup. They have created a community.

A Stone in Every Pot
As the host, you supply the pot, 3 quarts water or vegetable stock, and a small stone. Ask each guest, or family group to bring one cup to add to the pot of: potatoes, carrots, celery, barley, corn, peas, broccoli, green beans, or uncooked pasta. Ask one guest to bring a can of tomatoes and salt and pepper, but it’s your party so feel free to embellish the list of ingredients as you like. This will make about 15 cups of soup. Invite your guests to come about an hour and a half before meal time. As you read the book, add your ingredients. But the party doesn’t end there. Based on the version you choose, add an activity that can be done while the vegetables simmer to tenderness. Here are a few suggestions:

A Pinch of Zen
In the Chinese version of Stone Soup by Jon J Muth, you’ll find a Buddhist element of using tricksters to bring enlightenment. You can alter your ingredients list by adding bok choy. Simmer a separate pot of aromatic jasmine rice. And don’t forget the tofu. Have your kids check some easy side-dish recipes for the tofu and adzuki beans, and make these ahead of time. While you simmer the vegetables, do a little origami with the help of Tammy Yee's Origami Page. This site has easy projects with excellent instructions. You can even print out the paper to make the creations.

Something’s Fishy Around Here
The Swedish Tale by Margot Zemach, Nail Soup, has a single tramp who wheedles compassion out of an old woman. Prepare for reading this tale by purchasing some Wasa Bread, whole grain crisp bread available in grocery stores. Spread lingonberry jam on top. Though Swedish cheese is hard to find, substitute a Jarlsberg or Danish Havarti. Check out Wilkstrom's Gourmet Foods if you would like to order some delights and Smorgasbord: the shortcut to Sweden to click on some of the links to get a view into other things Swedish. And don’t forget those Swedish fish and Swiss chocolate.

C’est Bon
Marcia Brown’s French version of Stone Soup won a Caldecott Medal in 1962. This book shows weary soldiers in need of a meal. For your own sustenance, include Camembert cheese, Brie, a salad made with French vinaigrette, bread, and finish with a fresh fruit salad. Serve grape juice for all, instead of wine and sing into the night. Check out Franceway for adding any additional French flair.

One Village-One World
If your group is a story loving one, and you’re in a giving spirit, buy several versions. While you read the first book, add the ingredients. As the pot simmers, read the others. When you finish reading, talk about the differences in the settings and characters. Then as your guest’s leave, be a living example of charity by giving each family a book as a reminder of the time spent together .Any party version you choose, your children will take away the lesson of the connection between literature and culture, and the nature of humans to be in need, to be weary from our circumstances, and to be a bit distrustful at times. hey willlearn the power of community and the joy of sharing. And they will also learn that teaching can be done with gentle understanding, without rancor. And you accomplished this while they ate their vegetables!

Pat Lansmann, Writer & SuperMom
Pat graduated from college with a B.A. in English and a restless creative spirit. She left the workforce after fourteen years to raise her first of three children. She and her husband educate their children at home, through activities such as gardening, arts and crafts, woodworking, cooking and pet care to personalize, enhance and extend the children’s academic experiences.