A timely parable tells the story of a powerful General of the biggest nation who invades and takes over all the smaller countries around him, until there is only one small country left—almost too small to be of consequence. When the General sends his soldiers there, the country offers no resistance. Instead, it welcomes the soldiers, who eventually become completely assimilated. The furious General calls his soldiers back and sends out fresh troops, but the same thing happens again. Each time, the soldiers bring back songs, food, and customs from the small country, until even the General himself is fully assimilated, albeit unknowingly. David McKee’s vivid colored-pencil illustrations are composed of primary colors and simple shapes that give a childlike feel to the art. (Ages 3–7)