Alphabet Soup: A Feast of Letters

by Scott Gustafson

Otter invites his friends to bring their favorite ingredients for an alphabet soup house-warming party.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Food, Art

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 1990

About the author

Scott Gustafson has had the opportunity to illustrate a number of archetypal children’s books such as Peter Pan, Nutcracker, Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose, and Classic Fairy Tales, the last two titles published by Artisan. In 2011, he tried his hand at writing and illustrating, and his first novel, Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe, was published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children.

Scott's latest title, Classic Bedtime Stories, is published by Artisan.

In addition, Scott has worked on film projects for DreamWorks and PDI and has created character designs for the animated TV show, "Chugginton."

His illustrations also appear in limited-edition prints published by The Greenwich Workshop and on collector plates, greeting cards, and gift wrap.

Reviews

[Kalynne]

Virtual Storytime (handout)

Book one (5-8) minutes: Stone Soup by Ann McGovern

Song/Game One (3-4 minutes): ‘Stone Soup’ by the Learning Station

Book two (5-8 minutes): Bone Soup by Alyssa Capucilli

Song/Game two (3-4 minutes): Monster Idol by Super Simple Songs

Book three (5-8 minutes): Alphabet Soup: A Feast of Letters by Scott Gustafson

Song/ Game Three: Alphabet Soup Song Jack Hartman

Sign Language: soup, rock, warm, eat, friends


Stone soup reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF1NU...
Stone soup song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFhH3...
Bone Soup reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EvY7...
Monster Alphabet Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDdg2...
Alphabet Soup: A Feast of Letters Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f3IE...
Alphabet Soup Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXqEt...

Activity: https://www.crayola.com/-/media/Crayo...

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every evening at dinner time, eat as a family. Unfortunately one of the most dangerous trends in modern day society is the absence of the family meal. The dinner table is not only a place of sustenance and family communication in business but it is also a place for the teaching and passing on of our core values.….

[Sharie · Rating 3 out of 5]

each friend brings an item for the pot luck dinner; really great series of words beginning with each letter of the alphabet - you get a real feel for what that letter sounds like

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coulda been great, but I have far too many nits to pick to enumerate them here. For me, it's a fail.

[Elizabeth Gajdosik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. ABC
2. This is a cute story about an otter that is having a pot luck party. He invites 26 friends, and they must bring something to contribute to the soup he is making. Each friend represents a letter of the alphabet.

3. A - The illustrations are captivating, and the concept is different then most ABC books. I think children will find this much more interesting, and will be engaged throughout the story. Each letter is represented by an animal friend, and the letter theme continues with the types of ingredients for the soup. For example - “Bear the baker brings bread, biscuits, and butter”.

B- I thought the illustrations were strong, also the vocabulary throughout the entire book. Animals, job titles, names of positions around the community, and food items were all tied into the story. It appeals to a wider range of children because it includes more then just the letters of the alphabet, I think its is appropriate for children up to first grade. Positive points include a variety of things. The story teaches about letters, sharing, and teamwork. One negative thing...or possibly inappropriate, is the W. Mr. Weasel brought wieners, students may not pick up on it, but some might. Other then that I think it is a very beneficial picture book.

C- I thought the last page of the book summed up my points. The otter had just moved into a new house, and he found the old pot to make the soup in. After all of his friends came to the party and they made the soup, it talks about how much fun the whole party was. Otter thought it was fun because his old friends made is new house feel like home. I think that wrapped up the story nicely.

4. This can be tied into a number of concepts in the classroom. Obviously letters, but also sharing, working together to make something even better, moving or when a new student arrives. Teachers could make the students alphabet soup. They could also create art projects and make “class soup”. Each student could draw something to contribute. There are a lot of things that can be done, but I think it is a really sweet storyline and I would definitely recommend it.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alphabet Soup
1.Alphabet Book

2.A little otter is having a pot luck party, and he invites 26 friends! Each friend, representing a different letter of the alphabet, must bring something to contribute to his soup.

3.Critique

a.Integrated learning for alphabetic principle

b.This book has a different take on the teaching of alphabetic principle. By incorporating many facets of community and different descriptions for each character. I also appreciate how the author keeps continuity throughout the book by using a letter to begin the character, his role or job, and the ingredients. It is a very different way to teach the ABC’s that reiterates the alphabetic principle on multiple fronts.

c.Reptile was roasting his rutabagas ranch-style, Armadillo brings asparagus!

4.This is obviously a book that is about teaching the order of the alphabet, but it also displays the characteristics of friendship, community, and teamwork. The class could perform the same party in class, making their own soup, as most classes have about 26 students that would work well. Also, the students could think of other jobs and descriptions that fit the letter they are given.

[Nichole Sedler]

Written and illustrated by Scott Gustafson, published by The Greenwich Workshop Press, 1994.

Summary: A beautiful detailed alphabet book in which otter finds a big pot in his new house. He decides to invite all 26 of his friends to a house-warming party and each guest is to bring something to add to the soup. Soup ingredients from A to Z are added throughout the book with each letter of the alphabet representing a guest's name and the ingredients they bring.

Response: Cute story with vivid illustrations and rich text. Some of the words would be hard for younger readers. This would be a great read aloud for early readers but is so fun that older students would like it also.

Possible Units: Teaching the alphabet to early readers, Writing: words with same beginning letter, rhyming.

[Teri G · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children loved this book, in which Otter invites 26 other animals to bring a soup-worthy ingredient for the pot that he found in his new house. From Bear's beautiful breads through Lion's lentils to Zebra's zucchini, the text is comical and educational, and the pictures are absolutely beautiful. To this day - and my youngest is now 13 - mere mention of the word "zucchini" evokes the response, "it's 'zactly what zee zoup needz!" One of our favorites for sure.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had beautiful illustrations and great information about different kinds of foods and spices! With a different food from A all the way to Z, students will learn ideas for writing alphabet books of their own. With foods that I have never heard of before, this book would be great to use for a food unit, maybe making our own alphabet soup in the classroom. Also would be good for writing alphabet books!

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otter just moved into his new home, so he invites 26 friends over for a "pot luck" housewarming party. Each friend is an animal from A to Z and they all perform alliterated tasks while bringing alliterated food items or gadgets to the party. Otter decides to combine everything into a large soup...will it taste good?

Fun story, excellent alliteration, and some of the animals are pretty unique. I'm impressed!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that Gustafson's book is fun with its playful alliteration and detailed illustrations that are reminiscent of old circus posters. I give it three stars because I think alphabet books should be simple. I might use this book to teach an older child about alliteration or poetry, but I wouldn't use it to teach a younger child the ABC's.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Gustafson is one of my favorite artists! And this book is one of my favorites. I have spent hours, pouring over every page. I love the way he paints, and the light hearted personality in his lines. I wish I could paint like this.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually fascinating. Gustafson has me hooked on his artwork and writing. Rich, detailed. This is a great book--all the pictures with the letters.

This may be hard-to-find, I don't know if it has gone into a new printing. I have a number I plan to send for Christmas. Oh, and a set for my son.

[Jenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just LOVE the illustrations! I can't get enough of this guy!

[Mommy Farris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, cleverly written. Bravo!

[Maria Savic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favourite at our house

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book. Illustrations are wonderfully detailed. This was definitely a winner in our house.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another really good alliteration book. The pictures are fantastic and it introduces a ton of new vocabulary words.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted alphabet revolving about an otter's inviting 26 animals to come to his house-warming and bring something for them all to eat. Good art.

[Ardyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter lifetime than Animalia, but great illustrations and fun alliterative text. Definitely one of the better ABC books I've seen.