In Candyville, the Juicy Jelly Worm rules over a land where lollipop trees grow beside rivers of root beer and powdered sugar falls like snow. Every day, he devours his candy throne, jujube crown and cupcake castle. Day in and day out, the children of Candyville must make new ones -- never getting so much as a nibble of nougat for themselves.

Finally, one child comes up with an idea to outsmart the self-centered tyrant. The children plant a secret garden, hoping the fruits of their labor, which include sugar snap peas, candy cane beets, sweet potatoes, and watermelon radishes, might appeal to the Juicy Jelly Worm justenough to spark the sweetest trade ever.

Deliciously free of morals or overt lessons, this book is full of playful warnings and tips ("Warning: Parents like candy, too. They're just pretending they don't. Search the cupboards."). The wordplay and wicked sense of humor will appeal to kids while encouraging them to stick up for themselves.