Their farm is too small to support her and her mother, so Grethel leaves "to discover a way to make life easier" for both of them. She finds a village full of people with "long faces in order to look hungry" and ready with excuses for not helping her. After Grethel cleverly tricks the townspeople into sharing their hidden food, she returns home, "an-up-and-coming lass" with a sack "bulging with food and good wishes." Stewig's well-turned phrases invite out-loud reading and listening. The bold shapes and subdued browns and blues of Tomas' illustrations make them effective for group use. (Ages 5-9)

Award-winning artist Jon J Muth retells the favorite tale of a selfish community who is tricked into creating a delicious soup from stones. Set in China in Muth's hauntingly beautiful watercolors.

Three strangers, hungry and tired, pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist.