'Bone Button Borscht' -- a seasonal reading by Barbara Budd

In honour of the beginning of Hanukkah, it's time once again for our reading of the story "Bone Button Borscht" by former As it Happens co-host, Barbara Budd.

The 1995 children's story was written by Toronto author Aubrey Davis. He based the story on the traditional folk tale, "Stone Soup" -- also known as "Wood Soup" or "Axe Soup" or some variation featuring an inedible object, depending on which part of the world you live in.

In Davis's "Bone Button Borscht" -- like the folk tale -- a hungry stranger comes to town begging for food and reminds the community what it means to be a community, especially during difficult times.

Since 1996, Budd's reading has become a tradition here on As It Happens, a way to celebrate the start of the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Aubrey Davis' "Bone Button Borscht" is published by Kids Can Press.