Pumpkin Soup

The old white cabin in the wood is the picture of warmth and harmony as Duck, Squirrel, and Cat make music and soup together. Each has a musical talent, and each has a specific cooking task. Jolly music, complete with Cat's bagpipes, radiates from the animals' home. But what if Duck wants to be the head cook? Kathleen McInerney's narration is clear, and her enunciation distinct. Elongated pauses frame each scene of the story. She voices Duck's discontent with a whine; Cat's despair over the missing friend with tears; and Squirrel's fear of searching in the wood with diminutive squeaks. The musical accompaniment complements the action. Pore over the lush illustrations while listening! A.R. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Starred review from August 30, 1999
This enchanting story explores the ups and downs of close-knit camaraderie. Beginning with a peek through a window where Cat, Squirrel and Duck are making music together, Cooper (The Boy Who Wouldn't Go to Bed) invites youngsters into their cozy pumpkin-shaped home. There's a rhythm to their lives: each has his own instrument to play and his own duties when it comes to cooking their famous pumpkin soup ("the best you ever tasted"). But one day, Duck decides to be the stirrer instead of the salt pourer, and an all-out battle ensues. Here the warm golden glow that has permeated their dwelling turns an angry orange-red with paws, wings and "@#$!"s flying. After Duck waddles off in a huff, the remaining pair heads out to hunt for him--to no avail. In a charming time-lapse sequence, vignettes of Cat and Squirrel moping on the steps of their house form an arc along the side of a spread ("So they waited.../ All that long afternoon..."). Mimicking grade-schoolers everywhere, Cat and Squirrel next decide to carry on with the cooking, adopting a we'll-show-him attitude. Of course the soup is too salty and the repentant pals begin to imagine scary scenarios of where Duck might be. But Duck does return, to a warm welcome--until he suggests a turn on Cat's bagpipes. Thanks to Cooper's uncanny ability to capture the dynamics of friendship, children will be able to laugh at this trio (and themselves) and recognize that true friendship can weather most any storm. Ages 4-8.

December 1, 2009
PreS-Gr 2-Three friendsa squirrel, a cat, and a ducklive happily together in the forest. They make the most delicious pumpkin soup in the world, and each has a specific job in preparing and cooking the soup. Cat slices the pumpkin, Squirrel stirs in the water, and Duck tips in just the right amount of salt. But what happens when Duck decides it would be fun to change jobs? Kathleen McInerney reads Helen Cooper's warm and expressive text (Farrar, Straus, 1999), giving each character a unique voice. No page turn signals are included. Occasional background music and sound effects enhance the production. This would make a good listening center and fit in nicely with autumn storytelling."Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.