Reviews

Horn Book Guide

"A charming appropriation of plot elements from The Grasshopper and the Ant and Stone Soup makes neighbors of a petite, hardworking curmudgeon named Kate and a free-spirited giant who would rather play than prepare for winter. The art contains much homey detail and sets the stage for the soup-making that brings the two opposites together."

Booklist

"A clever variation on Stone Soup / Nail Soup, this Dutch import hits the nail squarely on the head. … The artwork is sprightly and colorful, filled with amusing details, including a cat and a dog that play comical roles in the background. The visual contrast between Kate (in a tall, yellow hat; tights; and a long, black braid), and much larger, messier Bruce effectively demonstrates that sometimes opposites can become friends."

School Library Journal

"Through a combination of classic themes and wonderfully detailed, quirky watercolors, this oft-told tale comes to life .... Children will delight in the whimsical illustrations as well as in the humor of this book; although the story would be a great read-aloud, the details in the paintings beg to be pored over up close."

Horn Book Guide

"A charming appropriation of plot elements from The Grasshopper and the Ant and Stone Soup makes neighbors of a petite, hardworking curmudgeon named Kate and a free-spirited giant who would rather play than prepare for winter. The art contains much homey detail and sets the stage for the soup-making that brings the two opposites together."

Booklist

"A clever variation on Stone Soup / Nail Soup, this Dutch import hits the nail squarely on the head. … The artwork is sprightly and colorful, filled with amusing details, including a cat and a dog that play comical roles in the background. The visual contrast between Kate (in a tall, yellow hat; tights; and a long, black braid), and much larger, messier Bruce effectively demonstrates that sometimes opposites can become friends."

School Library Journal

"Through a combination of classic themes and wonderfully detailed, quirky watercolors, this oft-told tale comes to life .... Children will delight in the whimsical illustrations as well as in the humor of this book; although the story would be a great read-aloud, the details in the paintings beg to be pored over up close."

Kirkus Reviews

"The Schuberts dish up a nourishing broth, using Stone Soup and Grasshopper and the Ants as main ingredients. … Children will enjoy contrasting the mild-mannered giant with his diminutive, type-A neighbor, as well as their respective homes—hers wonderfully tidy, with an an adjacent, thoroughly weeded garden strewn with warning signs: his, thrown together from junk and mismatched parts-both rendered with engagingly exact detail in the pictures. By the end, Kate has lightened up, Bruce has shown at least a sign of changing his ways, and the two, along with their respective pets, are positively radiating good fellowship. Beautiful soup."

Lorgnette

"Colorful and lively, and full of humor … a happy story for bedtime or any time."

Puget Sound Council

"Delightful story ... beautifully detailed illustrations."

Christian Schools International

"Hard work and fun-loving characteristics ... the positives of both are seen. [R]ich with details and colors."

Michigan Reading Journal

"This delightful twist to a time-honored tale, enhanced by the Dieters' whimsical illustrations and end papers, would complement any classroom collection."