The Fall of General Custard, or The Overthrow of A Leftover (Humankind Project) - Hardcover

"Our new family read-aloud favorite, The Fall of General Custard is a rhyming and illustrated tale of epic proportions! The clever narrative with its conflict resolution theme is perfectly designed to be shared, while the illustrations will bring readers back to the page again and again to discover something new in the story. Adventuresome reading for the whole family!" --Jane Almquist, Owner TreeHouse Books "A clever and fresh take on what it means to be a hero or heroine in a "fridge gone bad!" The Fall of General Custard is brilliantly written with great vocabulary and rhyming text. Children will cheer for the forces of good and laugh aloud at the rollicking illustrations. It is delectable children's literature with marvelous messages baked right in!" --Connie Halpern, owner of Mrs. Figs' Bookworm "Damon's epic rhyming tale about good food gone bad, coupled with Kendall's hilarious illustrations of the ultimate food fight, playfully bring to the table the importance of standing up for what is right and collaboration when faced with conflict. A sweet read!" --Trudy Ludwig, award-winning author of The Invisible Boy and Gifts from the Enemy "As a kindergarten teacher I am always on the hunt for engaging read alouds that teach students that kindness and cooperation are of paramount importance. The Fall of General Custard held my young audience captive with its rich vocabulary, humorous storyline and winsome illustrations, all the while instilling teamwork and unity." --Tia McLean, kindergarten teacher "The Fall of General Custard is filled with delicious, exuberant verse that keeps students engaged in that eyes-wide-open kind of way, as they peer over their classmates' heads to sneak a peek at the lively illustrations. This vibrant story tells many important tales, including positive messages of acceptance, courage, and the importance of standing up for our friends, especially in times of trouble. Everyone in my classroom has a smile on their face after this fun read aloud!" --Trish Dorr, fourth grade teacher "This rollicking tale of friendship, courage, and kindness is sure to delight readers of all ages! Beautifully rendered illustrations and richly riveting rhymes draw the reader inside again and again. Whether read aloud or devoured under the covers, the sweet and salty characters of The Fall of General Custard are sure to inspire engaging discussions and a desire to be a good friend and citizen. A true masterpiece, and destined to become a classic!" --Rebecca Mizera, Reading Specialist

The Fall of General Custard brings to life a playful world inside of a refrigerator. When the cherries are "foodnapped" by the greedy General Custard, a full-on food fight breaks out. "It was Custard's fierce forces that fired food first. A fat fudge sauce bomb landed loudly and burst." And in the meantime: "Salamis and sausages, made in New York, Tossed the poor salad with help from the pork." When conflict and division enter the normally peaceful world of the "Fridge," the story speaks to important themes and challenges that children frequently encounter in their own lives: cooperation vs. conflict and personal choices about right and wrong. The heroine (a brave maraschino cherry named Rosaline) and the hero (a faithful Olive named Romeo) take risks for what they believe is right and shine a light of understanding so that other foods can see the wisdom of choosing cooperation and peacemaking over the fear and conflict. This rhyming story, full of humor, wordplay, and wildly and delightfully detailed illustrations, stands on its own as pure entertainment. It's also a launching point for thoughtful discussions with children about conflict and cooperation, as well as standing for what you believe is right.