Something was bubbling in the old white cabin. What was in the cooking pot? Pumpkin Soup. Made by a Cat, a Squirrel and a Duck, waiting just for a pipkin of salt, to make it the best you ever tasted. But the salt jar smashes and there is none left for the Pumpkin Soup! Cat, Squirrel and Duck must go to the city to buy some more. Duck has the habit of wandering off but he promises not to get lost. But not everything goes to plan...Fans of Pumpkin Soup will be delighted by this sequel with its warm and vibrant illustrations.

About the Author

Helen Cooper is the only illustrator ever to win the highly prestigious Kate Greenaway Award for two consecutive books: The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed, 1996 and Pumpkin Soup, 1998. She has had several other successful titles published by Doubleday including Little Monster Did It! and The Bear Under the Stairs, which won the Smarties Young Judges' Award in 1994. Both are now perennial favourites in nurseries, schools, libraries and bookshops. Helen is married to author/illustrator Ted Dewan. They have one daughter and live in Oxford.

Prizes

A heart-warming tale about getting lost starring Cat, Squirrel and Duck from the much-loved Pumpkin Soup.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 1-The trio from Pumpkin Soup (Farrar, 1999) is back again in another gentle tale of friendship and lessons learned. Once again, the animals are concocting their favorite brew of pumpkin soup when they realize that they've run out of salt. Cat announces that he's going shopping when directionally challenged, but headstrong little Duck insists on accompanying him. Cat relents only after Duck promises to "hold on tight" to avoid getting lost. A concerned Squirrel decides to bring up the rear on the trip to the city. With his friends on either side, Duck spies a pepper shop and decides that the flavoring would be a delicious addition to their soup. Squirrel begs to differ and he and Cat steam off in the direction of the salt shop, unknowingly leaving their distracted friend behind. Reminiscent of the panic of any youngster left alone in unfamiliar territory, Duck, in a terrible tizzy, becomes even more lost. A true-to-life, predictable resolution ensues although heightened by an overblown response by the police and fire departments. Readers will be reassured by this beguiling rendition of a common childhood experience. The rich coloration and expressive representations of the characters raise this story above the ordinary. Purchase this companion book where its predecessor is popular.-Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

This simple lost-and-found-in-the-urban-jungle tale should win older readers with its rush-hour energy and buzzy graphics. - TES; The rich, glowing colours give a New York-like city an oriental, almost psychedelic look...The book has an adorable quality. One of my favourites. - The Children's Bookseller Meticulously illustrated and very funny...Her multicoloured cit; is an extraordinary creation of crazy buildings and contrary road signs, and her charming characters are full of brio. - Booktruste; As well as being beautifully illustrated and full of the same spiky humour as Cooper's best-selling Pumpkin Soup, it conveys how scary being lost can be - for children and parents. - Daily Telegraph; Cooper inserts subliminal messages through her intricate illustrations of pepper-grinder skyscrapers toppling down on the distraught Duck... This is fraught territory, beautifully controlled. - The Guardian; Glorious. - The Scotsman; Beautifully laid out and rich in both words and pictures, A Pipkin of Pepper is a sumptuous treat. - The Guardian

Cat, Squirrel and Duck, who first appeared in Pumpkin Soup (an "enchanting story that explores the ups and downs of close-knit camaraderie," said PW's starred review), think their newest batch of pumpkin soup is missing something in A Pipkin of Pepper by Helen Cooper. The trio heads to the city for spices, but gets separated. All ends well, however, with an appetizing finish. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.