A Notable book by the American Library Association, A Soup Opera is a storybook and CD combo providing a thoroughly theatrical and entertaining reading experience for your child. The first page is set up just like sheet music, complete with directions to the conductor (you) to "Please sing this book with passion" and lyrics underlying the melody on a treble clef staff. When the words are sung in the book, they are in a larger cursive font with ribbon flourishes and a faded staff behind them. The pictures are realistic looking, created with oil on canvas and some mixed media. The characters are widely diversified, including a large hungry patron, a surprised male waiter, a female chef, an African American mayor, and a female President of the United States. The characters' mouths appear open and singing as a constant reminder to readers that this is an opera.
Although the book can certainly be read alone, we highly encourage utilizing the accompanying orchestrated CD, as it adds musical flourishes to each page, and will spare you from having to attempt the opera singing yourself...not that you wouldn't sound amazing. Your little one may want to take a crack at singing the lines too, or even coming up with their own tune for the story. Encouraging your child to hold the book and turn the pages appropriately with the music requires them to pay attention, allows them to be involved, and encourages them to make connections between words, pictures, and sounds. You can also further the educational experience by naming any instruments you recognize.
I read this book with my three-year-old friend, Sam. He loved the accompanying music, and copied the singer each time he bellowed, "I can't eat this soup!" Sam would jump up from the couch, put one hand on his chest, have the other arm extended, and furrow his brow as he did his best opera impersonation. I smiled and clapped each time. He must have agreed with me that he did a great job, because when the audience on the CD clapped and shouted "Bravo!" at the end, Sam got up again and took a deep bow.
--Audra