Love Soup

PreS-Gr 1—Wabby, a young rabbit, picks a basket of ripe vegetables from Grandma Bunny's garden. When no one buys them, Grandma suggests making love soup. She cuts up the vegetables, adds fresh spring water to the pot, and lets Wabby stir. Though he stirs and stirs, the soup does not taste good. Grandma Bunny reminds him that the secret ingredient is love. Not sure how to add love, Wabby rubs the heart-shaped white fur behind his right ear and hears a song: "Love Soup is good for you./Fills your heart and your belly, too./Nothing tastes better with a friend or two/Than Love Soup for me and you!" Thinking of his friends who will share his soup makes Wabby's soup delicious. Three friends come for supper and leave with their bellies and their hearts full. The story ends as Grandma Bunny kisses Wabby, tucks him into bed, and plays his favorite lullaby. Kevin Roth narrates his book, plays the peaceful background music, and performs the vocals. The story illustrates the pleasures of friendship and sharing. By performing two lullabies after the story ("The Quiet Times" and "Bye-n-Bye"), Roth turns this recording into an ideal bedtime experience for young listeners.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN