Lunchtime foods are an adventure for Carla -- she has such delights as banana and cottage cheese on a baguette. Every day is something different and every day the kids tease her about her food choices. Carla is confident and doesn't mind their teasing, even as they pass her by for lunch seating. Then one day, Buster forgets his lunch and it's only Carla that offers him one of her extras. Buster refuses and slowly as his hunger grows his refusal shrinks until he reluctantly asks for the sandwich. And he likes it! Slowly all the kids try a little of her sandwich and they all agree it's delicious. They decide they are going to up their lunchtime game and be a creative sandwich artist too. This is a great story to introduce discussions of trying new things, accepting others and being different. It has simple, colorful, and detailed illustrations that capture Carla's food and the kids' disgust! It's appropriate for K-3. ( )

Carla likes to bring creative sandwiches to school, like a banana and cottage cheese sandwich. Her classmates find these disgusting and stop sitting by her at lunch. But one day, during a picnic that all changes when someone agrees to share the Carla's Surprise sandwich with her.
I like this book because it tells children there's nothing wrong with being creative and unique, and it's ok to have different food than your friends. Plus I couldn't stop thinking of new sandwhich combos. ( )

Carla was different than all of the other students in school. She ate some crazy foods that none of the kids liked; they all made fun of her for it. Until one boy left his food at home for the picnic, he eventually ate Carla's sandwich. He then found out her food was so good. Everyone started to accept Carla's food after buster ate the sandwich. The book portrays a great message for young students everyone should get along and accept everyone. It shouldn't have to take a kid trying a sandwich to have kids be nice to other kids. ( )

My favorite thing about this book is how relatable it is. I have countless stories of students judging other students' lunches. Carla teaches a great lesson which is everyone is different and likes different things. From reading this book, students can learn not to judge others, to try new things, and even admire Carla's courage in being comfortable with her eating choices. I was worried about listening to this book but the reader did a great job reading it and I enjoyed the different voices she used. I think this book would be great for younger audiences because it is short, simple, and this is around the time that children are exposed to people eating different things. This could teach them early not to judge. ( )

Carla always brought weird sandwiches to school. When the other kids would sit by her at lunch, they'd notice her weird sandwich and ask what in the world was on it. When Carla finished telling them what she had on her sandwich, she'd offer them one and they'd turn down her offer by saying her sandwich was gross or disgusting, but Carla thought her sandwiches were unique and different. Eventually, the kids stopped sitting by Carla at lunch. Then one day Miss Pimento, Carla's teacher, took the students on a picnic and one of Carla's classmates, Buster, forgot his sandwich. Carla, of course, offered an extra sandwich to Buster, but Buster quickly declined her offer. As the picnic went on and all of the other students were finishing their sandwiches, Buster grew especially hungry and took up Carla on her offer. When Buster bit into the sandwich, all of the students wondered what Buster was going to say, but he kept on eating it. After he finished Carla's sandwich, he called it the best sandwich he had ever eaten. Then all of the students wanted to try Carla's sandwich so she gave everyone a piece and they all loved it! The next day everyone brought weird sandwiches to lunch and Carla brought a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I really enjoyed this book. It was super silly, but it had a nice message to it. I especially loved that in the end, when all of the other kids brought weird sandwiches, Carla brought a regular sandwich because she, "likes to be different." This is a great children's book because it encourages young children to be different in a humorous way. ( )