Carrot Soup

Speech Language Pathologists (OK, and parents too): This is one of the best books I have found for teaching theory of mind. Even though we can see the animals in the background, hauling carrots, THE RABBIT CAN'T SEE THEM AND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. The rabbit even talks to animals that we have seen with the carrots, so if the child is ready for several perspectives within the book, this makes for an interesting discussion. For example, we see the dog wheeling carrots in the background while the rabbit talks to the mole. On the next page, the rabbit asks the dog if he's seen the carrots (meanwhile, the cat is carrying carrots). We can talk about who knows where the carrots are and who doesn't know. We can even talk about whether the dog probably knows what the cat is doing and why. Mind blowing, I know. Even more advanced concept: When the rabbit asks where the carrots are, none of the animals tell him, yet none of them lie and say that they don't know. It's quite oblique. You can read into what they're saying. You can talk about their motives. Why would the dog say that he doesn't like carrots and to ask the cat? For many autistic children, the desire to keep a "fun" social secret like a surprise party is unfathomable. This simple children's book is not so simple. And yet it IS, because it's comprehensible to typical 3-year-olds. I like it more each time I use it in therapy. p.s. Another great theory of mind picture book is Rosie's Walk, by Pat Hutchins.

This is such a wonderful book. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't been reviewed more. The story line is great--complex enough to make reading it over and over bearable, but simple enough that even my 2-year old has started to memorize it. The surprise at the end is fantastic and brings a huge smile to my child's face each time.

I never knew there were so many varieties of carrots. Through the book and colorful pictures, a rabbit is trying to plant, nurture, grow, and harvest its carrots. But when harvest time comes, they are gone. As the rabbit visits various other animals in search of the carrots, the reader notices some funny antics in the background, until we reach the surprise ending.

The hero of John Segal's "Carrot Soup" is obsessed with his garden. In particular, he's obsessed with his carrot crop. "Carrot Soup" begins in the spring, "Rabbit's favorite season," when Rabbit orders seeds and begins planting. He orders Early Horn, Lunar White, Short 'n' Sweet, Bolero, Thumbelina, Sugarsnax, Paris Market and Autumn King carrots. And to think I thought carrots came in "regular" and "mini" sizes! Children will love Segal's illustrations of the different carrots in all their glory. Rabbit plants his carrots, takes care of them in the proper way by weeding and plowing and watering. Oh, and waiting. And waiting and waiting and waiting. When it's time to harvest and make carrot soup, the carrots have disappeared. Rabbit is highly distressed. He darts about asking all the animals in the neighborhood if they've seen his carrots. All's well that ends well, though, and Segal concludes his story with a great recipe for carrot soup. "Carrot Soup" is an enchanting tale about friendship and hard work--perfect for a garden-themed read aloud. Segal's illustrations are infectious fun and the soup recipe a treat. Enjoy!

I didn't mean to ruin the ending, but this entire book was a surprise - from start to finish. The wonderfully silly antics of the rabbit's friends create as much tension in a picture book as it all leads up to a wonderful ending. The detailed pictures of the carrots is simply my favorite as we learn about all of the differnet "hybrids" that exist. Enjoy this surprisingly good treat with vegetable lovers in your household.