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The Soup Bone
Looking for a soup bone on Halloween, a little old lady finds a hungry skeleton instead.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1990
51 people want to read
About the author
Tony Johnston
142 books55 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 29, 2019
An old woman makes herself soup one lonely Halloween night, but finds that the broth is a little weak. Searching for a soup bone, she heads out into the night and ends up digging up more than she bargained for in the form of a skeleton who chases her up a tree. Not to be outdone, the old woman dons her Halloween costume (a dog suit) and frightens the skeleton right back. Fortunately for both, peace is made, and the two new friends settle down for some soup together, before heading out to scare the world...
Having greatly enjoyed the previous collaboration between author Tony Johnston and illustrator Margot Tomes - the marvelously witchy picture-book, The Witch's Hat - I picked up The Soup Bone with great anticipation. I was not disappointed, finding the narrative by turns humorous and spooky, and the artwork expressive and appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining Halloween fare for the picture-book set, as well as to those seeking children's stories about confronting our fears.
Having greatly enjoyed the previous collaboration between author Tony Johnston and illustrator Margot Tomes - the marvelously witchy picture-book, The Witch's Hat - I picked up The Soup Bone with great anticipation. I was not disappointed, finding the narrative by turns humorous and spooky, and the artwork expressive and appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining Halloween fare for the picture-book set, as well as to those seeking children's stories about confronting our fears.
October 15, 2022
Ohmigosh. Hilarious, especially the art. Especially the skeleton hanging about under the tree. Heartwarming, too. I now have a total of *three* Halloween books to enjoy and recommend!
On openlibrary.org.
The Little Green Witch
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
On openlibrary.org.
The Little Green Witch
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
March 20, 2013
This story felt a little scary to me as I read it to my three-year old. I wasn't quite sure how it was going to turn out! The old woman changes the tone, however, when she frightens what scares her. A very real depiction of the way we pass fear back and forth between us. I loved the transformation of loneliness into companionship at the end. Although my six-year old objected to the ending: "I thought they said no more scaring!"
October 28, 2010
This is a fun little story about friendship. The kiddo's were cracking up throughout the book and enjoyed the pictures.
http://dragonflowersandbooks.blogspot...
http://dragonflowersandbooks.blogspot...
October 9, 2012
This Halloween story has the perfect amount of spooky-creepy vibe without being too cutes-y or too scary.
October 30, 2013
THE SOUP BONE is rather fun and with just enough spook for the kiddies.
A little old lady lived on top of a hill. It was Halloween. She loved that night. But nobody every came to visit her on Halloween. Her house was too high up. The little old lady felt lonely. And she felt hungry. So she put some things in a pot.
BUT: ….There was no soup bone. Not one.
Where could a soup bone be? In the garden? Yes! And not one bone or two bones or three bones but many, many bones - a whole ‘bone-'a-fide bone-chilling skeleton! It’s all boogity-booing and chattering and clicking its bad ‘n brittle teeth and scaring the little lady half to death. But not to worry, that skeleton gets its comeuppance 'cause the wee old lady has a dandy trick up her sleeve!
I give it two bones and one fat thumb up - especially if read by candlelight!
A little old lady lived on top of a hill. It was Halloween. She loved that night. But nobody every came to visit her on Halloween. Her house was too high up. The little old lady felt lonely. And she felt hungry. So she put some things in a pot.
BUT: ….There was no soup bone. Not one.
Where could a soup bone be? In the garden? Yes! And not one bone or two bones or three bones but many, many bones - a whole ‘bone-'a-fide bone-chilling skeleton! It’s all boogity-booing and chattering and clicking its bad ‘n brittle teeth and scaring the little lady half to death. But not to worry, that skeleton gets its comeuppance 'cause the wee old lady has a dandy trick up her sleeve!
I give it two bones and one fat thumb up - especially if read by candlelight!
October 18, 2009
I would give one and a half stars to The Soup Bone.
I thought at first that this book might be just another retelling of the old jump story about the woman finding a bone for her soup in the graveyard, but if Tony Johnston's book is based on that tale at all, then she changed it around very nicely. The result is an intriguing mix of humor and some depth, as the woman comes to realize that she didn't much like being all alone, and that when she was able to find a potential friend regardless of their striking dissimilarities, she should take advantage of that friendship's benefits.
This is a good story, in my view.
I thought at first that this book might be just another retelling of the old jump story about the woman finding a bone for her soup in the graveyard, but if Tony Johnston's book is based on that tale at all, then she changed it around very nicely. The result is an intriguing mix of humor and some depth, as the woman comes to realize that she didn't much like being all alone, and that when she was able to find a potential friend regardless of their striking dissimilarities, she should take advantage of that friendship's benefits.
This is a good story, in my view.
September 20, 2014
What do you get when you mix Halloween, a skeleton, dog and a lady? Spookiness! That's for sure! This book is great for Halloween but it also has a moral to the story that in the end will make you say "AW" it is funny and unusual. I re-read this story about 3 times, its longer than most picture books but it is worth it. The story is comedic and the pictures are really entertaining. In the end all you need is a friend who is just like you, and you will never be lonely again! Dive into the comical spookiness that is The Soup Bone.
October 29, 2023
I had not see this title in some years. A scary Halloween story best read to school age children, even fourth and fifth graders. Who is more afraid of whom in this story. I have always enjoyed Margot Tomes' illustrations. Copyrighted 1990.
November 9, 2007
pretty good little story - skeleton and an old woman become friends
October 27, 2011
I loved the illustrations but there wasn't really a story.
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March 12, 2015My kids love this book. Every Halloween we read it. It's become traditional for my family, like 'Twas the night Before Christmas is a tradition on Christmas Eve. :)
February 19, 2016
It's a strange story, fitting for Halloween. It was brought to me in February so that made it a bit stranger. Good use of alliteration and onomatopoeia with a nice ending.
September 23, 2017
This was a random find on the library shelf -- and it's so good! A great Halloween story.
October 22, 2019
So, an old lady who is a bit lonely goes searching outside for a soup bone -- when a skeleton pops up and scares her. It reminds me of The Teeny-Tiny Woman by Paul Galdone. What is it with these old ladies digging around for bones to use for soup? Kind of a morbid way to feed yourself. Anyway, it's an oddly cute story and if you read the "clickety-clacks" and "Skittle-skattle, skeleton" with some flair, it could be pretty funny to read aloud. It's a little bit rambling for a classroom read-aloud, but would be fun for home.
October 20, 2021
GOD I love this book. I read it a million times as a kid. The illustrations slap, but I also find it hilarious.
"Skittle-skattle, skeleton!" shouted the little old lady, frightened though she was.
"Why, yes, ma'am, lady," the skeleton clacked loudly, "I'll just skittle-skattle into your house."
And it did.
HAHAHA.
A skeleton emerging from the ground and the first thing it says at a little old lady being "boogity-boo!" is just prime skeleton behavior.
Love this one with my whole body.
"Skittle-skattle, skeleton!" shouted the little old lady, frightened though she was.
"Why, yes, ma'am, lady," the skeleton clacked loudly, "I'll just skittle-skattle into your house."
And it did.
HAHAHA.
A skeleton emerging from the ground and the first thing it says at a little old lady being "boogity-boo!" is just prime skeleton behavior.
Love this one with my whole body.
October 13, 2018
A lonely lady finds a friend on Halloween. I love everything about this book!
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October 28, 2020As an adult, this book is kind of terrifying.
June 6, 2021
Adorable & fun! Great illustrations.
October 11, 2015
This is a strange story about a lady who befriends a skeleton. Though it takes place during Halloween, that is only a minor part of the story. There is one scene involving a dog, who is clearly a person in a costume, but it doesn't say that so the tone is a little unnerving.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews