Description Doesn't want to eat vegetables? Then open this book! A chillingly funny lesson that's more than just laughs The heroes of this story, Thaddeus and Oliver, are fast food fanatics. Like so many kids today, they love burgers and fries and can't stand vegetables. But the terrifying event that befalls these two ordinary-seeming boys leaves readers with one spine-chilling question: 'Do you like vegetables?' As the green-tinged cover suggests, The Terrible Salad, part of the Ossak Ossak Friends! series, is a story for young readers who dislike vegetables. Packed with clever imagination and a sharply realistic message, it's made for picky eaters who wrinkle their noses at the mere thought of a salad piled high with leafy greens. Children will laugh out loud and gulp nervously as they're swept into the story, encountering the hidden message lurking in its darkly illustrated pages. By the time they turn the last page, even kids who only love greasy fast food or who pick every vegetable off their plate might just find themselves thinking, 'Maybe I should try a vegetable after all.' Ignore the wisdom of your elders at your own risk! A story about honoring the old while embracing the new Oliver's parents are the picture of meticulous, well-meaning caregivers who want their child to be perfect—to excel at schoolwork, to eat well, and to broaden his general knowledge. So even mealtimes become a teaching moment, as they explain where each ingredient comes from and encourage gratitude for the food we so often take for granted. But Oliver barely listens, dismissing it all as nagging and clichés. Oliver represents how many children view the world today. In an age more scientific and logical than ever, where information flows endlessly at the touch of a finger, old tales—like the rabbit living on the moon—can seem outdated and far-fetched. But when Oliver and Thaddeus, having too easily forgotten timeless truths passed down through generations, find themselves in a situation no one could have predicted, young readers are reminded through these two characters to cherish the wisdom of the past, even amid today's fast-moving trends and endless streams of information. Joyful steps toward 'reading independently' — The Toto Jinggeomdari Series Beginning with the Ossak Ossak Friends! series, Totobook's Toto Jinggeomdari series serves as a stepping stone for young readers transitioning into independent reading. For children moving from having stories read aloud to them and enjoying the pictures, to reading and understanding text on their own, a 'positive reading experience' is essential. Fun, enjoyable memories of reading motivate children to pick up the next book, ultimately building stronger literacy skills. The Toto Jinggeomdari series is designed with exactly this in mind—to give children a delightful reading experience that builds their confidence as readers. Simple vocabulary, manageable length, and rich, vibrant illustrations reminiscent of picture books give children the momentum to read a whole book from start to finish. Turning page after page, like stepping stone after stepping stone across a stream, children will soon find themselves filled with the pride of having finished a book all on their own. Let the Toto Jinggeomdari series be the gift of a joyful reading experience, cheering children on as they take their first steps toward independent reading and helping the seeds of literacy grow strong.