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“A story of great cariño and hope— one we sorely need in these times of divisiveness, fear, and separation. Seemingly humble in setting, McLaughlin’s story is a luminous and generous parable of how we can all come together as a human(e) familia on our planetary island home. McLaughlin reveals “the true secret of living…” Read The Good Stranger’s Sancocho Surprise and find out that secret, and then invite others to feast at this story’s table. Ruddy Núñez’s illustrations add flavor and sabor to this luscious tale. The bilingual text allows readers— across the divide of language, country, and culture— to join together in the feast. A modern fable with old roots, to be shared with those you love and especially with any stranger who comes to your door.

-Julia Alvarez, author of In The Time of the Butterflies and Afterlife

School Library Journal Top Pick: Problem-Solving and Empathy
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“A great addition to folktale collections in libraries and classrooms…a clear message about being kind to strangers, and the importance of community.”

—School Library Journal

“Excellent… McLaughlin’s version of this classic folktale depicts the curative power of kindness and generosity.”

—ALA Booklist

 A stranger comes to a rural town, hungry and alone. He asks for help, but only a young girl, looked down upon by her community, is brave enough to offer it. Together they make sancocho-a traditional Dominican soup-using a secret recipe the stranger has brought from far away. Seemingly out of nothing, the pair creates a miraculous banquet, and along the way, they teach the villagers a lasting lesson about generosity, and overcoming fear. A re-telling of the classic tale "Stone Soup", here set in the Dominican Republic, The Good Stranger's Sancocho Surprise is as timely as ever, and will be enjoyed by children, parents, and teachers alike.

This re-telling distinguishes itself through its authentic details of Dominican landscape and culture, its subtle integration of the Christian stories of "The Loaves and Fishes" and "The Good Samaritan," and its gentle yet pointed treatment of how societies welcome (or do not welcome) those characterized as "others," including immigrants. As such, it will have special appeal to children and adults of Latin American heritage or Christian affiliation, as well as those interested in folk tales, fairy tales, and multicultural books in general. And, by casting the "others" as its heroes, it offers a refreshing counterpoint to the contemporary rhetoric of scapegoating, division, and exclusion.