Carla's Sandwich: A Bedtime Story for Kids

Once upon a time, in a cozy little house with a garden full of sunflowers, lived a little girl named Carla. Carla loved making sandwiches, but not just any ordinary sandwiches. She loved to make them different, exciting, and full of surprises.

One day, Carla decided to make a sandwich for her lunch. She took out a big slice of bread and spread some peanut butter on it. But then, instead of adding jelly, she took a juicy green apple and sliced it into thin pieces. She arranged the apple slices on the peanut butter, creating a beautiful, green pattern. Then, she added a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dash of honey for extra sweetness.

When Carla showed her sandwich to her mom, her mom laughed. “What a funny sandwich, Carla!” she said. “Are you sure you want to eat that?”

But Carla smiled, her eyes sparkling with pride. “It’s not just any sandwich, Mom,” she said. “It’s my special apple-cinnamon sandwich!”

At school, Carla was excited to show her classmates her unique creation. But when she opened her lunchbox, her classmates gasped. “Eww, what’s that?” said one boy. “It looks like a bug!” said another. Carla’s face fell.

She felt sad and lonely. Nobody seemed to like her special sandwich. She wished she had made a boring, regular sandwich like everyone else. But then, her teacher, Ms. Daisy, came over and smiled at Carla. “That’s a very interesting sandwich, Carla,” she said. “Can you tell me all about it?”

Carla explained how she made the sandwich, and how she loved the taste of apple and cinnamon together. Ms. Daisy listened patiently, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Well, Carla,” she said, “I think your sandwich is very creative and delicious. You should be proud of yourself for making something different.”

Carla’s heart felt lighter. Maybe her sandwich wasn’t like everyone else’s, but that was okay. She was proud of her creativity and her unique taste. From then on, Carla continued to make her special sandwiches, knowing that it was okay to be different. She learned that being unique is something to celebrate, and that sometimes, the most delicious sandwiches are the ones that are made with love and a little bit of imagination.

Why This Story is Great for Bedtime

This story is a great choice for bedtime reading for a few reasons:

• It celebrates individuality. Carla’s story teaches children that it’s okay to be different and to embrace their unique qualities. It encourages them to be proud of their creativity and to express themselves freely.
• It promotes acceptance. The story shows how Carla’s classmates initially react to her sandwich with negativity, but eventually learn to accept her individuality. This teaches children the importance of being kind and understanding towards those who are different.
• It is heartwarming and relatable. Carla’s story is simple and easy to understand, making it engaging for young children. It also explores relatable themes like wanting to fit in and finding your own voice, which children can identify with.

So, the next time you’re looking for a bedtime story that will inspire and delight your little one, consider reading “Carla’s Sandwich.” It’s a story that will stay with them long after the lights go out, reminding them that it’s okay to be different, and that their unique qualities are something to be cherished.