When three hungry soldiers come to a town where all the food has been hidden, they set out to make soup of water and stones, and all the town enjoys a feast.

A collection of 128 poems by a variety of well-known authors with illustrations by nine Caldecott medalists.

Strega Nona: "Never go near my cooking pot," warns old witch Strega Nona. But does Big Anthony listen? No! Joseph had a little overcoat: Joseph loves his little overcoat, but it's getting old and worn. What can he do with it now? Stone soup: When three soldiers come to town, all the townsfolk hide their food. If the soldiers can't find any food, what will they eat? Stone soup, of course!