The Sandwich Swap [Hardcover]

Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah (Author), Kelly DiPucchio (Author), Tricia Tusa (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 20, 2010 | Age Range: 3 - 7 years | Lexile Measure: 630L (What's this?)

Lily and Salma are best friends. They like doing all the same things, and they always eat lunch together. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus—but what’s that between friends? It turns out, a lot. Before they know it, a food fight breaks out. Can Lily and Salma put aside their differences? Or will a sandwich come between them?

The smallest things can pull us apart—until we learn that friendship is far more powerful than difference. In a glorious three-page gatefold at the end of the book, Salma, Lily, and all their classmates come together in the true spirit of tolerance and acceptance.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—The day Lily stops eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich to tell Salma her hummus and pita sandwich looks yucky—and vice versa—is the day they stop being friends. Their collaborative art projects end. They no longer play on the swings or jump rope together, and, at lunch time, they sit at different tables. As their story spreads across the school, so does intolerance. Students begin choosing sides in the cafeteria and calling each other "Jelly heads" and "Chickpea brains." When the two girls get caught in the middle of a food fight and called to the principal's office, they decide it's time to make some changes. The first is accomplished over their sandwich lunch; the second, over a multicultural smorgasbord, the latter depicted on a foldout of an enormous table laden with dishes and flags. Soft watercolor cartoon illustrations portray a lively student body and a slightly forbidding principal. This engaging title reminds children that having the courage to try new things can result in positive experiences.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

The Queen of Jordan is the co-author of this lively picture book based on her nursery-school experiences that taught her to be “open to what seems foreign or strange.” Salma and Lily are best friends at school, and lively, double-page spreads show the girls having fun, drawing pictures, playing in the schoolyard, and eating lunch together, until one day Lily blurts out that Salma’s sandwich (pita bread and hummus) looks kind of yucky, and Salma says the same about her friend’s peanut butter and jelly (“looks gross, and it smells bad, too”). The harmonious pictures change to show angry standoffs, and other kids choose sides, shout insults, and begin a huge food fight. Finally, after a visit to the principal’s office, Salma and Lily feel ashamed. They taste each other’s sandwiches (yummy!), hug, and trade lunch. The story is preachy, and food makes a too-easy peacemaker. But preschoolers will recognize the school drama of friends and enemies and the messy confrontations that are resolved. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (April 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423124847
• ISBN-13: 978-1423124849
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 0.5 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Message of Inspiration April 22, 2010

By Ashley Keith

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Her Majesty Queen Rania has brought us such an inspiring tale! I am such a strong advocate of "bridging the gap" between cultures and ideas...sharing, growing, learning. I highly recommend this sweet story!

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and heartwarming tale which promotes cross-cultural understanding April 27, 2010

By Z Hayes HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan is known for her humanitarian work and I'm especially appreciative of her efforts to make education accessible to the more than 70 million children who are deprived of education throughout the world. "The Sandwich Swap" can be seen as part of her effort to promote cross-cultural understanding amongst young readers. It is a heartwarming picture book with an inspiring and positive message. The story is inspired by an experience during Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan's own childhood. In the book, two girls, Lily and Salma are best friends, but that close friendship is put to the test one day during lunchtime when each girl tells the other that her lunch seems gross. Salma and Lily come from different cultural backgrounds and their lunches reflect this difference, i.e. Salma brings a hummus sandwich to school and Lily eats a PBJ sandwich. Will this spell the end of the girls' friendship, or will they find a way to see past their differences and celebrate their friendship?

The illustrations by Tricia Tusa are delightful to look at, especially in the scene where there is a food fight - truly cute and hilarious! This is a picture book that is appropriate for children ages 4-8, and might be used in the Pre-K- early elementary classroom to discuss cultural differences and how to appreciate diversity and the uniqueness of other cultures. It is never too early to inculcate a tolerance and appreciation of those deemed 'different', especially in the global context of an increasingly connected world.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Books That Heal Kids February 12, 2011

By Books That Heal Kids

Format:Hardcover

Awards should be plastered all over this book's cover. Which by the way, is the most darling cutest cover I have just about ever seen. The students took one look at The Sandwich Swap and said, "Read us that one!!" Sometimes I bring in a few books to each of my lessons to give them a preview of next weeks story. Even in the hallway, a second grade student said to me, "When are you going to read us The Sandwich Swap?" Apparently, they can sniff out a good book just by it's cover. But this is more than good, it is GREAT.

The lessons learned by both girls in the story is EXACTLY the kind of message students need to hear. Working in a culturally diverse school I know students have many curiosities about one another. But sometimes, those curiosities can sadly turn into put-downs towards one another. It divides everyone which is what happens in the story. Just look around the world, it's pretty obvious we need to start these conversations and teachings early in life. A first grade student said, "I hope everyone goes to multi-cultural night tomorrow to make more friends!" The lovely 'pot-luck' ending will make you think about what your own school is doing to help promote cultural diversity.

The Sandwich Swap is a wonderful reminder and encourager to embrace and appreciate other's differences. It's amazing how a book can increase awareness, sensitivity, and open hearts and minds. This was an impactful read and there is no doubt it has helped increased my school climate. The students clapped as I finished reading the last page. Clapping for diversity! Love it.