Caroline Stutson and Blue Corn Soup (Plus Giveaway)

Before moving to Chapel Hill six years ago, my family spent ten years in Denver. Although it was easy to leave the long winters behind, it wasn’t so easy to leave good friends, including a wonderful community of writers.

One of those writers was Caroline Stutson, a picture book author and poet who passed away two years ago. Sleeping Bear Press just published her book Blue Corn Soup, a story Caroline had shared with me years ago. I know she’d be so pleased to see it in print, with Teri Weidner’s warm and cozy illustrations, and to know it’s being read aloud and shared. To encourage that sharing, I’m giving away a copy here (details below).

Caroline joked that she had rhymer’s disease (an affliction many of us share), but that was a disservice to her talent. Caroline was a fine poet, with an exquisite ear for language and rhythm.

Reading the first stanza of the book, you’ll notice the attention she paid to sounds—especially the assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) in the first few lines:

Caroline was an experienced storyteller and puppeteer, and she had a storyteller’s gift for language, pacing and repetition.  In Blue Corn Soup, she uses all three skillfully, repeating patterns and an important question (“Something’s missing. What—is—it?”) to move the story forward. She goes back and forth between indoor scenes of Mouse adding new ingredients to her soup . . .

to outdoor scenes of the animals intrigued by the tasty aromas.

Pinon smoke drifts through the wood.
Someone’s cooking something good.

Chipmunk chatters, sniffs about.
Is it sopa? He’ll find out.

Caroline uses the same pattern to introduce us to Rabbit and Old Bear, and then again as the three follow their snouts to Abuelita’s house.

Well, not surprisingly, Abuelita’s mouse-sized portion isn’t enough for the four of them. The visitors turn away, disappointed—but then Mouse comes up with a Stone Soup-style solution:

“Wait!” Mouse follows. “We can share.
Bring some food to Old Bear’s lair.”

And so they do. And guess what? There’s enough. But this new concoction isn’t quite Blue Corn Soup anymore, so they christen it Friendship Stew. And now we get the answer to the repeated “Something’s missing. What—is—it?” line:

Neighbors gather on the floor,
Sip their stew, and ask for more.
Nothing’s missing; all can see:
Food tastes best with company.

It’s a just-right ending to a warm and satisfying book, perfect for sharing on a blustery day.

So much of the reading we do these days feels ephemeral, scrolling by on screens one moment then disappearing into the ether the next. That’s one reason I love books so much—they may not last forever, but they feel solid and enduring. Holding this book in my hands and reading Caroline’s words feels a bit like visiting with an old friend.

And while I’m reminiscing, here’s a photo from my Denver days with some of my writer pals:

From left: Caroline Stutson, Marjorie Blain Parker, Denise Vega, Kathleen Pelley, Julie Danneberg, and Christine Liu-Perkins. I’m not sure what happened to Jessica Swaim, but she should be here too. These are some talented women. If you’re not familiar with their books, be sure to check them out.

By the way, Blue Corn Soup ends with a recipe. Our good friend Jama Rattigan cooked up a batch over at Jama’s Alphabet Soup, and it looks delicious.

* * * * * B O O K   G I V E A W A Y * * * * * 

 

For the chance to win a copy of Blue Corn Soup, leave a comment below. I’ll announce the randomly-selected winner in my next post.

 

 

And, finally, Suzanne Slade asked me to announce the winners from her Feb. 27th Astronaut Annie post. Winners, please contact Suzanne via her website to provide your addresses so she can mail out the books. Congratulations!

Angela Turner – Autographed copy of Astronaut Annie
Jen D – Autographed copy of Astronaut Annie + Classroom Skype Author Q & A

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Linda Ashman

Linda Ashman is the author of more than 45 picture books, as well as The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books, a how-to guide for picture book writers. Her books have been included on the ‘best of the year’ lists of The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council, and The New York Public Library, among others, and have been translated into many languages.

109 Comments:

  1. This looks like a beautiful book….such soft words and illustrations. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!

  2. What a wonderful book about friendship. Warms you both by thinking about soup simmering on a cold day and sharing that deliciousness with friends 🙂

  3. What a beautiful story- both the tribute to your friend & Blue Corn Soup.

  4. Love the fresh take on Stone Soup

  5. Beautifully written and illustrated. Love the cadence!

  6. What a lovely book. Warm and cozy is just right!

  7. Goodness what a sweet-smelling book! I can wait to taste! What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing!

  8. Cindy Schumerth

    Sounds lovely and such soft warm pictures that looks so inviting.

  9. Kim Pfennigwerth

    Wonderful blog post! Love the peek you’ve given us of this book and I really look forward to reading it!

  10. This book could become a friend to share. The rhythm and pictures are sweet.

  11. Such a sweet book! I look forward to reading it!

  12. An endearing story of friendship. Looking forward to reading this one!

  13. Angie Quantrell

    This book looks so adorable! I’m happy that it was published. It will be perfect for winter reading and talking about friends! Thanks for sharing this story with us!

  14. Sounds like a cute and friendly story. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I have been in your place in that regard. It’s always nice to have a book created by a friend who is no longer with us. May reading her words keep her close.

  15. The children love her book “Night Train”, can’t wait to see this one too.

  16. It looks like a wonderful book. Look forward to checking it out.

  17. What a wonderful way to honor a friend by sharing her words, Linda. Lovely!

  18. Looks like a very sweet story!

  19. This looks like a delightful book. Such wonderful language and exquisite illustrations.

  20. What a sweet book. I can’t wait to read it.

  21. Beautiful post, Linda! I cried when I recently discovered Blue Corn Soup in my library’s new books section. Do you know if her family subbed the ms after she passed away? Not sure where I was in the photo– probably the restroom– but what lovely friends we share! Oh, how I miss our Caroline…

    • Hello, Jessica! I don’t know how this book wound up in print. I was so surprised (and delighted) to hear it was published. I haven’t seen MY FAMILY FOUR FLOORS UP, which was also published by Sleeping Bear recently. Have you? I’m so bummed you’re not in the photo. Maybe you took it!? And I miss Caroline, too, and all my CO friends. This post made me very nostalgic. 🙂

      • Such a lovely post, Linda! Caroline would be honored. For some reason, I think Caroline’s husband, Al, submitted it after Caroline passed away. However, it’s also very possible that she submitted it herself. You know how long the whole publishing process can take! We miss you. And what are you talking about – long winters? Our winters are a breeze! 😉

        • Hello, Marjorie!! So nice to see you here. I miss you all! As for winters, they probably ARE a breeze for you given your Canadian origins–you have a different sense of winter than the average human! Hope all’s well in CO!

  22. Oh, I love this book! So sorry to hear the author is no longer with us. She was so talented.

  23. This looks like a perfectly charming book. I do love rhymers. Thanks for the post.

  24. Wonderfull that her work lives on for kids! Thanks for sharing this darling book!

  25. Sounds like a super-sweet tale!

  26. This looks like a wet book! I’ll be sure to check it out.

  27. Danielle Hammelef

    Thank you for sharing this book with us today. I love the illustrations and message of this book. The writing is superb and I want to reread it over and over to help my own skills.

  28. Debra K Shumaker

    Sounds like a great book – I can’t wait to read it.

  29. Love this post — wonderful to see that group photo with Caroline in it! And thanks for the link love. 🙂

  30. Thank you for sharing this, Linda–it looks like a sweet and touching story. I love the illustrations! So sorry about your friend! I hope you find some comfort knowing she’s living on in her stories <3

  31. I love when rhyme is done as well as it is in this book. And I’m sorry to hear about the author’s passing.

  32. Becky Scharnhorst

    Thank you for sharing this book with us! It has such beautiful language and illustrations. I look forward to reading this.

  33. Oh, I’d love to use the recipe….right now….as it’s pouring rain here and so cold…nothing would taste better than hot home-made soup shared with family and friends tonight. Thank you for a lovely book – warm and comforting!!

  34. Lovely post, Linda, and the book looks cozy and delightful! 😉

  35. I love rhyming stories, and this one sounds like a good one.

  36. Oh, Linda. Thank you so much for sharing Caroline’s beautiful story with everyone. I miss her every day and know she would have been so happy to see this book in print, along with My Family Four Floors Up, which was published in January. I’m looking forward to singing her praises at an event in April where we will be including her books. Lots of love. And MISS YOU, GIRL!

    • Hi, Denise! So happy to hear about the April event. I do think Caroline would be so pleased to know her books are being read and loved. I haven’t seen MY FAMILY FOUR FLOORS UP yet, but am eager to. Lots of love to you too, my beautiful and talented friend!!

  37. What a lovely post. Thank aid for sharing! I love the title.

  38. Wow. This looks great! Sure wish I could win this to read to my granddaughters! Thanks for the chance.

    P.S. I live close to Denver and am a wannabe writer!

  39. I can almost smell the soup!

  40. Charlotte Offsay

    This sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing and sorry for your loss.

  41. A true poet. Such a warm and fuzzy book.

  42. Oh how I wish I could be affected by a good case of rhymer’s disease! I am sorry for the loss of a good friend.

  43. Jessica Espinoza

    Sounds like your friend loved being surrounded by friends. She understood that this was the real purpose of life.. her spirit lives on in mouse’s story. Such a sweet central message about being a friend and having it all when in good company. Lovely story- message, and cadence!

  44. Thanks for sharing Blue Corn Soup. I see what you mean about her many storyteller’s gifts. The bits you shared we delightful. I look forward to reading this book. And I’m sorry that you lost a friend.

  45. Thank you for introducing me to a delightful book, BLUE CORN SOUP, Linda. This post is such a wonderful tribute to your friend, Caroline Stutson.

  46. This looks like a beautiful book. Thanks for sharing!

  47. I, too, have the rhyming affliction. I would love to read Caroline’s book. What a nice tribute to your friend, Linda.

  48. this book looks / sounds darling!

  49. I love the soft illustrations in this book. It looks like such an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.

  50. A wonderful post and a beautiful book. Thank you for suggesting it and I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.

  51. Blue Corn Soup looks beautiful. The illustrations are adorable and that “rhyming affliction” is spot on. Perfect rhythm. Sounds like a nice story. I can’t wait to read it.

  52. I can’t wait to read this one! I love the soft, whimsical illustrations.

  53. this was so darling!

  54. The lasting bonds of friendship shine through this touching tribute, Linda. Thank you for sharing. I will be watching for Caroline’s book.

  55. Thanks! You helped me a lot! ;D

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