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Pumpkin Soup
by Cooper, Helen (Helen F.)
(Check Catalog)

Cat, Squirrel, and Duck make their pumpkin soup the same way every day, until Duck wants to switch jobs, and eventually storms off, leaving his friends to worry and, finally, search for him. 15,000 first printing.

The Cat and the Squirrel come to blows with the Duck in arguing about who will perform what duty in preparing their pumpkin soup, and they almost lose the Duck's friendship when he decides to leave them

Horn Book Guide Reviews 2000 Spring (HG0A) PreS-Gr 2 Cooper serves up a well-rounded tale told with storyteller's cadences. Pudgy housemates Squirrel, Cat, and Duck team up for activities including quilt making and music concerts, until Duck wants to be Head Cook and stir the soup. The trio spats and Duck waddles off in a huff. As the remaining pair search pumpkin patch and dark forest for their pal, they rethink their position. Coziness returns when they find Duck back home and learn to share at least cooking roles. Readers will linger over each page, savoring the delicious illustrations. Rich autumn colors and enchanting details on large spreads and spot illustrations embellish characterizations and setting. Energetic language with fresh images keeps the story bouncing along. Some may be troubled by the lack of closure on Duck's whereabouts during his absence, but the final comic page makes for a satisfying ending. The grand finale, of course, is a recipe for pumpkin soup. Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.