Themes in Literature: Friendship in Stories About Soup

Teaching the concept of themes in literature to children in elementary school can be challenging. It can be helpful to first differentiate between themes and topics. For example, the books (all found read aloud on our YouTube channel in the "Stone Soup and Other Books About Soup" playlist) Chicken Soup with Rice, Pumpkin Soup, Duck Soup, Stone Soup, and The Cabbage Soup Solution are all books that share the topic of soup. This is something that is often easy for children to identify. While all of these books share the same topic (soup), they do not all share the same theme or themes. When looking at themes, set Chicken Soup with Rice aside as it doesn't clearly share any themes with the other four books. Rather than asking children to try to identify themes on their own, begin by pointing out themes in literature to them and asking them how different books might fit into that theme. In this case, the theme of friendship can be seen in the remaining four books. In Stone Soup, the theme of friendship is played out as the villagers begin to share and build connections with one another that can lead to friendship. In Pumpkin Soup, three friends work together to make soup every night and their friendship is put to the test when one member of the group wants to change things. In Duck Soup, the theme of friendship shows up in Duck's friends' concern for him when they believe he has fallen into the soup. And, in The Cabbage Soup Solution, the old woman ends up making many new friends, including the bunnies.

Here are some possible discussion questions to help highlight the friendship theme (for each question, be sure to support answers with specific details from each story):

1. How do you know that the characters in Duck Soup are friends? (ex. They are worried when they think Duck fell in the soup.)

2. How do you know that the characters in Pumpkin Soup are friends? (ex. They live happily together; they work together; Cat and Squirrel are worried when Duck is missing, etc.)

3. What signs are there that the villagers ready to become friends with each other at the end of Stone Soup? (ex. They share stories after their feast; they thank the monks for showing them it is good to share with each other, etc.)

4. How can you tell that the woman has become friends with the bunnies at the end of The Cabbage Soup Solution? (ex. They sleep in her bed at night.)

5. Consider all four stories. From these stories, how do friends treat each other? (ex. Friends worry about each other/care about well being of each other; friends work together to accomplish common goals; etc.)

Discussing how each book is about friendship in one way or another can help children begin to understand the concept of theme.