Vegetable Soup

Theodore and Elsie are two rabbits in trouble; their carrot sack is empty on their first day in their new house, and the food market is closed. They resort to the kindness of strangerstheir new neighbors. The wide-eyed squirrel doesn't ""eat anything that grows underground,'' but he does offer some dandelion leaves. An erudite blue jay introduces the rabbits to parsley, and two elderly, well-rounded toads supply cherry tomatoes. Finally, a hedgehog expresses his love for cabbage above all vegetables in his garden. The rabbits are at first dismayed with the lack of carrots but have an insight: from the items they've borrowed, they can make vegetable soup. It's so delicious that they invite all their neighbors to lunch. This is a rewarding story of a special soup, and the delicious recipe is provided on the last page. The artist's hazy color effects give the pictures a soft focus; he lights up the pages and the rabbit's hospitable neighborhood. Modesitt and Spowart's work makes good company at anyone's table. Ages 3-6. (February)