The Marshmallow Incident [Hardcover]

There was an old diary that lay hidden in the "ruins of an ancient castle." It was nestled inside a Mallo-Puff Marshmallow box, surrounded by some old, cracked `n crusty marshmallows. Diaries can hold some very interesting tales and this one was very interesting. Once upon a time there were two towns, one named Left and one named Right. There were southpaws living in one and righties in the other. For generations on end neither would have anything to do with the other one. There was a mighty castle in the distance maintained by the "Order of the Ambidextrous Knights of the Dotted Yellow Line." This painted line was maintained by the knights and if it was crossed . . . well, let's just say there would be trouble.

The knights, who also guarded 50,000 boxes of marshmallows they won in a poetry contest, were diligent in their duties and no one had ever crossed the line. They spent their time eating marshmallows up the ying yang and were quite inventive. Have you ever heard of marshmallow pizza? At any rate, their quiet life was disturbed when the town of Right was "having its annual picnic, complete with soup and biscuits." The kids were getting a bit daring do and quite close to the line. One poor fellow ran to make sure they wouldn't cross it and PLOPPED right over the line himself. The knights quickly "whipped themselves into a frenzy" and gathered up their marshmallow ammunition. What was going to happen to that man and the towns of Left and Right?

This was a madcap, zany and goofy story rolled into one that any youngster into marshmallows or medieval life is going to love. The storyline subtlety illustrates that all of us are prey to the fact that our little differences can be silly and we'd be much better off if we let them fall by the wayside and extend a welcoming hand to our neighbors. The illustrations were marvelously detailed and hilariously delightful. The author enjoys her marshmallows "crispy on the outside and squishy on the inside." If you like yours that way, chances are you'll like this book too!

My 5 year old son loved this book when I brought it home. We read it four times that night. It involves two towns - one of left-handed people and the other of right-handed people - who are divided by a dotted line guarded by knights who also have a huge amount of marshmallows. When one of the townspeople crosses the line, the knights go into a marshmallow frenzy to try and maintain order. Ultimately, they decide to eliminate the line so everyone can just be together (and enjoy s'mores together, of course!).

The story is silly (including the reason the knights have the marshmallows - the result of a poetry contest with a goofy poem), the drawings are fun and clever, and yet there is a subtle message underlying the story. I think that boys in particular would like this book because of the knights who live in a castle and use catapults to launch the marshmallows, but I am sure girls would enjoy it as well.

this book was great enjoyment. it was full of laughs. easy to read for an early reader. fun for an old reader. good for all ages. wonderful addition to the Cloudy with a chance of meatball book family.