Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

Having the Courage to Be Who You Are

By Maria Dismondy Illustrated by Kim Shaw

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Top 50 Best Books for Children

— The Huffington Post

"Lucy, Lucy, eats stinky food that puts us all in a big, bad mood!”

How can Ralph be so mean, Lucy wonders? Lucy is one of a kind, and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs her help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make the right choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and to be proud of themselves even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun is touring the country as a children’s musical with Stars Within Reach Production Company based in New York City. It has become wildly successful with schools and youth theaters nationwide.

Details & Purchasing

Published August 2008
32 pages • 9x9 • Ages 4 to 10
Hardcover Picture Book, Picture Book, Ebook
ISBN: 978-193391630-9
Lexile Leveling: 610
Fountas & Pinnell Level: L

Book Reviews

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RMcCoy1234 (Blogger)

This is a must have book for parents and teachers to have in their book collections. It will help open up communication with children about bullying and help teach children that being different makes them unique and special. Children should never have to deal with bullying, but when they begin going to school, many children will face a bully. Through Maria’s book, hopefully children will learn to not let bully’s and hurtful comments about being different hurt them. Read the full review

Nikki Michalski (Said)(Sultana)

What a wonderful story and message. It took me back to my 1st grade experience when having to take my lunch to school, my Mom made me bread with tomato paste (maltese is hupse bil conserva…you might recall that), anyway, I did get teased for eating “blood sandwiches” and after a few times, I told my mom that I did not want them any more, but to make me peanut butter and jelly like everyone else. Wow! Did I conform or what! Your book sends a powerful message and I look forward for your success with this book and possibly some others too!

Shelley Williams

As a first grade teacher, I can’t wait to read Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun to my students this fall. This book promotes powerful class discussion about treating others with respect and accepting differences. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun is a terrific book to use when teaching the Civics GLCE’s in Social Studies.

M. Rutledge

It’s so hard for kids to be who they really are – with the media and harsh ‘cool kids’ at school dictating what’s ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun helps drive home the message that being different is what’s actually cool. And being mean – isn’t! I love this book and wish all kids (and many adults actually!), had the chance to read it. It’s a life lesson that’ll carry them through some tough times. The illustrations are really cute, too!