Uncle Wille and the Soup Kitchen (Reading Rainbow Book)

Rating:
Summary: Uncle Willie Teaches Compassion
Review: Can a soup kitchen be warm and inviting? It can when Uncle Willie works there.

When his nephew has a day off from school, Uncle Willie invites him to spend the day helping him at the soup kitchen. Although hesitant at first, the young boy discovers, that in Uncle Willie's eyes, that the food collected from his neighborhood is not just food, but preparation for a feast. To Uncle Willie, the soup kitchen visitors aren't strangers. They are his guests.

You'll travel with Uncle Willie and he gathers donated food throughout the neighborhood. His enthusiasm is so contagious all along the way that you'll almost be able to smell the food cooking. Pay careful attention to the illustrations as every page offers a look into the spirit of the kitchen, who pays a visit, and the inner workings of a successfully run organization. You'll find bright posters, a cheery staff, and inviting table arrangements.

While the book is directed at children aged 4-8, anyone will come away with a positive feeling and enough working knowledge to get them started in volunteering.

To further discussions on hunger and poverty, you'll want to make sure to read the introduction. It's a good starting point for asking your local librarian for help in finding out more about the subject.

Rating:
Summary: astonishingly poignant
Review: Uncle willie and the soup kitchen is a beautiful,wonderful book to read with a child. It presents a young boy and his Uncle willie as he gathers food to prepare at a soup kitchen in which he works.The fact that Uncle Willie considers the denizens his guests, and not moochers or people looking for a handout is deeply moving. No treacly sentiment,no preaching, this is a lovely story which made me cry upopn first reading it.I read it with my kids, and have pressed copies upon others since discovering it in a remainder bin! My first grade class adored it, and it stimulated a great discussion afterwards on hunger poverty and helping.Reaaly very well done.Moving gentle loving,belongs in every library.