The Marshmallow Incident
OverDrive Read Series
on Goodreads (394)
What’s inside...
From the creators of the bestseller Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs comes another zany, laugh-out-loud picture book! The Town of Left and the Town of Right are separated by a dotted yellow line, and no one on either side can remember how things got to be this way! One day, an unlucky citizen crosses the line—forcing the Order of the Ambidextrous Knights who guard the border to take action. Unfortunately, the only ammunition they have around is marshmallows—50,000 boxes worth! So begins the Marshmallow Incident, a tale of Left and Right, and Right and Wrong, with an incredibly silly but delicious dose of Mallo-Puffs and Marsh-Pillows thrown in. Kids will read it once and then beg for s'more!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the townspeople made a rule about not crossing the dot?
What would you do if you were in the middle of a marshmallow incident?
How did the characters feel when marshmallows started flying?
What are some ways the characters could have solved their problem without a marshmallow fight?
How can we apply the lesson from this story to our own lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, briefly discuss rules and why they exist to set the stage for the book's theme.
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in a similar situation as the characters.
Draw parallels between the book’s resolution and real-life situations your child might face, emphasizing peaceful problem-solving.
After reading, encourage your child to retell the story in their own words, focusing on key points and lessons learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Conflict Resolution
Explanation: The story illustrates how misunderstandings can escalate into conflicts through the humorous dispute over marshmallows between two neighboring towns. It shows the importance of communication and cooperation in resolving conflicts.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to address misunderstandings and resolve disputes with peers through dialogue rather than escalation, promoting harmonious interactions in school and play settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of Rules
Explanation: The book shows both the usefulness and limitations of rules as the townspeople blindly follow absurd laws. It highlights the need to question and sometimes revise rules for the common good.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to understand and follow rules but also encourages critical thinking about when rules might need to be challenged or changed to ensure they are fair and effective.
Example Lesson: Unity and Teamwork
Explanation: The resolution of the conflict comes when the characters work together, showing that teamwork can overcome challenges that seem insurmountable by individuals alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group projects or team sports, where cooperation and pooling different strengths lead to achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: By the end of the book, the townspeople appreciate the differences between their communities and learn to live harmoniously, despite their distinct customs and behaviors.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the value of diversity and respect for others' perspectives and traditions in their own social environments, from classrooms to playgrounds.
Example Lesson: Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters in the story come up with imaginative solutions to their problems, demonstrating the power of creativity in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think outside the box and apply creative thinking to problem-solving in daily challenges, whether academic tasks or personal conflicts.