The Sandwich Swap

No matter what the problem, when Tricia Tusa is the illustrator, the world is a wonderful place. She just has a joyful quality that emanates from her pages and the light touch of Kelly DiPucchio takes a tricky subject and builds a playful story that brings an important message. Meet Lily and Salma, two little girls who love to play together, draw together, and eat together. They are BEST friends. But when it comes to lunchtime, there are some awkward, uncomfortable feelings. I mean even among the best of friends, there can come a time when differences are shared and perhaps fears are felt. But if you tell your best friend that her sandwich, a peanut butter and jelly is gross, feelings can be hurt. But differences are real and differences can be scary and unknown things. If you've never eaten a pb&j and all you know is a hummus sandwich, well then there it is. Ick! Hurt feelings abound and in this case, as in many cases, the hurt feelings change into something with a bit of power called "mad." All of this takes place in the school cafeteria and eventually launches a giant food fight. So, how can you take two girls who are so far apart about their food and bring them back together? How can they see the things that connect them instead of the things that separate them? Hummus and pita anyone? The story is based on a childhood experience of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan with a hope of creating "ambassadors of hope" to bring "people of all cultures and backgrounds closer together." 32 pages