Why is soup so satisfying? Maybe it is because of the many varieties of soup available. There are hearty types like potato soup and thinner mixtures such as chicken broth. Some nationalities make soup an integral part of their diet. In Russia many people eat some kind of borscht, a thick soup made with beets, and are warmed by this comforting meal on cold winter nights.
In this hilarious picture book, Jackie Urbanovic shows Maxwell Duck trying to create a soup masterpiece. The name of this funny title is "Duck Soup."
Maxwell Duck has frequently tried to construct the perfect soup. While wearing his ornate chef hat, he has made Fish Soup with Curry and Pickled Lemon, Red Hot Chili Soup, and Way Too Many Beans Soup. The Red Hot Chili scalded Dog’s throat, and the Fish Soup made Cat sick. Nonetheless, all of his animal friends constantly want to eat his latest creation. While pondering his next culinary endeavor, the duck concludes that the problem with the previous soups is that he had borrowed the recipes from other chefs. What he needs to do is create his own formula. Maxwell is so thrilled with this idea that he immediately begins building his own work of genius. He begins chopping up vegetables, adding spices and herbs and combining them in a large soup pot.
At long last he tastes his tour de force but discovers that something is wrong, some ingredient is missing. He thinks and thinks and concludes that the missing herb is chives. Happily, he takes off his chef hat and dons on his outdoor hat. With his herb basket in hand, Maxwell joyfully goes out the door to get the prized chives.
In the meantime, his friends Dog, Cat and Parakeet arrive at his house. They begin sniffing around the kitchen and calling his name. Puzzled by his absence, they finally threaten to eat his soup if he doesn’t come out from hiding. Not hearing a sound, the three friends become even more anxious. Where could Maxwell Duck be? Suddenly, Cat looks into the pot and sees a large herb that looks remarkably like a feather floating on the top of the soup. Could the worst have happened? Could their friend have fallen into his own soup and gotten cooked? The animals begin to take quick and decisive action.
What do the three animals do? How can the animals look through a pot of soup without destroying the marvelous potage? Is the old proverb that "curiosity killed the cat" really true? Have you ever done anything rash? What occurred because of that act? What finally happens to the three friends and to Maxwell Duck? To find out go to the library and checkout this comical tale, "Duck Soup," by Jackie Urbanovic.
This book is a rollicking funny tale to share with younger children. They will clap their hands at the antics of the three animal friends and drawings of Maxwell Duck. This book is on the Golden Sower list for 2011, and has been a New York Times book selection. The pictures are so humorous that you will have a hard time reading the book because of your own desire to laugh. Treat yourself and your children to a delightful tale and go to the library and check out "Duck Soup" by Jackie Urbanovic. You won’t regret it. Enjoy!
