Carla's Sandwich [Hardcover]

Debbie Herman (Author), Sheila Bailey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This charming story presents a new way for young children to understand how to creatively embrace who they are, no matter what others think. Carla’s lunch box is filled with odd delights like the Olive, Pickle and Green Bean Sandwich, the Banana-Cottage-Cheese Delight, and the unforgettable Chopped Liver, Potato Chips, and Cucumber Combo. To Carla, they are delicious and creative lunches, but her teasing classmates are unconvinced and abandon her at the lunch table to eat her bizarre sandwiches alone. One day, however, tables turn when Buster—the worst tease of all—forgets his lunch on the day of the picnic and Carla thoughtfully offers him her extra sandwich. Her own spirited nature helps Carla teach her classmates that "unusual" can actually be good. Lively illustrations help showcase the book's messages of acceptance, tolerance, individuality, and creativity, and the funny plot and authentic dialogue are sure to make this tale a favorite among elementary school children. Carla's creative sandwich solutions provide young chefs-to-be with the inspiration to create sandwich masterpieces of their own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Storytelling World Award 2005 Honor Book

An Accelerated Reader title

"An ending that will delight readers young and old."  —Children's Literature

"This book will be to the brown bag lunch what Dr. Seuss was to ham and eggs. —Sheila Bailey's irrepressible illustrations are completely engaging and the perfect complement to the text. This book is a gem."  —MyShelf.com

From the Author

Shortlisted for the New York State Charlotte Award 2006

Storytelling World Award 2005 Honor Book

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Flashlight Press (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972922520
• ISBN-13: 978-0972922524
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate the joys of being different! A delicious reading adventure!, April 11, 2008

By 

Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carla's Sandwich (Hardcover)

Here I go again: reviewing a book by one of my favorite kids publishers, FLASHLIGHT PRESS. Carla's Sandwich is the fourth one I've read and reviewed, and it's as delightful as their other choices. You can't go wrong with any of their books.

Author Debbie Herman certainly had a great idea when she created the irrepressible Carla, a little girl with a unique talent for creating delectable, mouth-watering, healthy sandwiches. Captivating illustrations by Sheila Bailey complement the story to perfection, and will enchant adults and children alike.

Carla's sandwiches are creative and unique, to be sure, but "weird" to her classmates. They're creatures of habit--stuck in a rut with their usual hot dogs, peanut-butter-and-jelly and bologna sandwiches--so they ridicule her for being different.

But that doesn't stop Carla, and she soon has them "eating out of her hand" ... literally. How does she accomplish this? And what happens when her worst adversary--a boy, naturally--forgets his lunch one day? Does Carla share with him, or ignore him? How does this girl who dares to be different change her entire school? Well, you'll have to RFY (read for yourself); it will be a delicious reading adventure as you and your kids nibble your way through, page after tasty page.

This book--with its subtle message about the joys of being different--is a great choice for kids from 4 to 8 and will make a delightful addition to any picture-book collection. It will also be an excellent tool for teaching children to think for themselves and to be kind and sensitive to others.

I highly recommend this book, but it's lunchtime, so I'm off to create a yummy sandwich of my own design. Does sliced bananas with mustard and lettuce on rye bread sound good? Help, Carla!

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's hear it for individuality, October 10, 2004

By 

Susan (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carla's Sandwich (Hardcover)

This is a great tool to teach the merits of free thinking, creativity and individuality. The words and illustrations speak to children and adults. Each time you read the book you'll find something new.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for young readers ages 4 to 8, November 7, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carla's Sandwich (Hardcover)

Imaginatively written by Debbie Herman and nicely illustrated by Sheila Bailey for young readers ages 4 to 8, Carla's Sandwich has a subtle message about the joy of being different woven into an original story of a little girl who brings weird sandwiches to her school and how her classmates respond to her oddly original sandwiches. After considerable ridicule Carla is able to turn her teasers into tasters and then everyone is into creative sandwich making too! Carla's Sandwich would make a popular and "kid friendly" addition to any school or community library picture book collection!