Bone Button Borscht

I love this book. I used it with my second grades and they loved it too. It has a good story line, and it is fun to read.

Very fun story. My kids and I still talk about it and smile every time. Looking forward to making Bone Button Borsht soon ;)

Great Book, very pleased with the service too.

This is a fun spin on Stone Soup. It teaches that we all need to help each other out whether you have lots to give or not.

Great story of applied creativity on reaching others indirectly and overcoming their doubts.

BONE BUTTON BORSCHT is a retelling of Stone Soup with a Yiddish twist. A lovely book. The message is excellent, the writing sparse, clean, strong. An absolute gem.On a dark winter's night a ragged beggar hobbles along. It's snowy and bitter cold, and there's a little town at the bottom of a hill.... "Ah, there is nothing like being a beggar," he thinks. "Such good it brings out in people. They share. They give. And me? I get a little something too. It's perfect!"But the town he finds is a stark, silent town. Everywhere he knocks, he's sent away. He follows a line of light in the snow, to a synagogue. The caretaker, the shamas, huddled in a corner, won't talk or respond, so the beggar has an idea. He grabs at the bone buttons on his coat and he tugs. Tchk! Tchk! Tchk! Tchk! Tchk! Five buttons!"Oy," says the beggar, loudly, "IF ONLY I HAD ONE MORE BUTTON!""Oy," says the beggar, louder, "IF ONLY I HAD ONE MORE BUTTON!""OY," .......!"The shamas says, "Nobody in this town will give you a button..... we're poor, Mr. Beggar. We don't give to each other any more. So why should we give even a button to a stranger?""Why? Because with one more button," says the beggar, "I could make us a soup. I could make a nice hot borscht."Well, the shamas is curious to see this miracle. The townsfolk are curious to see the miracle. And if you know Stone Soup, then you know what happens next. The townsfolk, bit by bit, are each finessed into giving a little something for their soup - in this case, for their bone button borscht. They give a little sugar and a little salt, some pepper and garlic and carrots and beets. And while everyone is gathered around for the miracle, the miracle is already happening.Though they eat and they laugh and they make a great deal of merry, the miracle is not the borscht. They don't need a single button to make a soup. In times of scarcity, they need each other. And that, writes Davis, is ".. the real miracle the beggar left behind."So you probably know Stone Soup. And so many other versions. But this one is truly delicious.

Every so often, a book comes along that reminds you why you learned to read: "Bone Button Borscht," an unusual version of "Stone Soup," is one of those. Aubrey Davis's sharp characterizations and colorful language dance the plot along; her gentle wit teaches without becoming preachy or saccharine. Kudos also to the artist, Dusan Petricic, for his simple, powerful drawings - these are pictures you can look at and think about for a lifetime. His images are poignant and uncluttered - each line and color helps tell the story. "Bone Button Borscht" not only offers a reading experience you and your child will return to again and again, but also a wealth of "teachable moments" in personal values, quality literature, and meaningful artistic expression. Be wise - buy one for yourself, one for your child, and one for the stranger who may someday come knocking at *your* door, willing to trade a miracle for a single bone button.

As a former Montessori teacher, this clever 21st century revamp of an ancient tale is a book that I know will grip children. Stories children want to read again and again strike a chord in the human brain. Bone Button Borscht, like the soup itself, has all the right ingredients to make up a great story recipe, providing a compass for positive behaviour. Great beginning, middle and end. My grandchildren will love it.

Like the soup, Bone Button Borscht, is a tale that grips the mind because the recipe is spot on. Good beginning, middle and end. A yarn that children and adults will want read over and over again. When children's stories are often so one dimensional these days, this story stands out as meaty and gritty.

Love it

An enchanting story!! Explores prejudice and comorodery. A more contemporary story about the emperor's new clothes. Very heartwarming. Loved it.

My grandson loves the book

A powerful 'parable'. Suitable for adults as well as children.

loved the cultural connotation

Fantastic story!