Pumpkin Soup: A Picture Book - Softcover

Cooper, Helen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0374460310 ISBN 13: 9780374460310

Publisher: Square Fish, 2005

Synopsis

By the Kate Greenaway Medalist

Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend. Rendered in pictures richly evoking autumn, Helen Cooper's delightful story will resonate for an child who has known the difficulties that come with friendship.

About this title

About the Author

Helen Cooper was born in 1963 and grew up in the far North of England in a very rural area where milk came from the farm in a can, bears lived under the stairs, and it rained a great deal. There was no wifi, and the TV was tiny, and black and white, with only two channels, and even those only worked when the clouds were the right shape. Of course, this meant there was more time to read and write and draw and play the piano.

After qualifying to teach the piano she wrote and illustrated her first picture book which was published by Hamish Hamilton in 1987. Since then, she has written and illustrated a whole lot more which have been translated into over 30 languages and won many awards. Notably among these The Bear Under the Stairs, winner of the Smarties Young Judges prize; The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed; and Pumpkin Soup, both winners of the Library Association Kate Greenaway medal; and Tatty Ratty which was also shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway medal among other accolades. Pumpkin Soup is the first of a trilogy of books about Cat, Duck and Squirrel. The others are  A Pipkin of Pepper and Delicious!
Her newest picture book Saving the Butterfly, also highly acclaimed, is a collaboration with the illustrator Gill Smith. Of late she has also written and illustrated longer fiction for children.  First The Hippo at the end of the Hall and newly out in October 2023 The Taming of the Cat.
You can find out more about Helen and her books on her website and you can see more of her work on instagram.

From the Back Cover

WINNER OF THE KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL
What's cooking in the old white cabin? Pumpkin Soup. The best you ever tasted!
*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 keep the story bouncning along. - STARRED/School Library Journal
*Enchanting. STARRED / PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

From the Inside Flap

What's cooking in the old white cabin? Pumpkin Soup,the best you ever tasted!
Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their soup the same way every day. Everyone has their own job. Everyone seems happy. Until the day that the littlest one, the duck, decides it's his turn to stir the Pumpkin Soup. And that's when the quarrelling starts.
In this funny, observant and highly original story, three animal companions discover the ups and downs of friendship and sharing.
An enticing picture book with magical, glowing illustrations, from Helen Cooper, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Edition details

• Publisher: Square Fish
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0374460310
• ISBN 13: 9780374460310
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Cooper Helen
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32