The Humble Pie (Jory John)

Title: The Humble Pie

Author: Jory John 

Illustrator: Pete Oswald 

Target Ages: 6 and up

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Summary: Humble Pie is the ultimate people-pleaser. He never brags, never gloats, and gladly lifts others up so they can shine—especially his outgoing best friend, Jake. But when his refusal to take credit or speak up leads to a mountain of work and a massive amount of stress, Humble Pie reaches his breaking point. This story follows his journey from being a "doormat" to discovering that you can be modest while still having the courage to stand up for yourself.

First Lines: “I’m a humble pie. A very humble pie. I don’t brag. I won’t gloat. I never take credit.”

Memorable Moment: “I didn’t exactly love the idea of confronting my best friend, but it had to be done. And for once, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.”

Evaluation: While many children's books focus on the importance of being humble, Jory John takes a sophisticated look at the "dark side" of extreme modesty. The story explores the delicate boundary between being a kind friend and losing one's own voice. It addresses a specific type of social-emotional struggle: the "people-pleaser" who becomes overwhelmed because they are afraid to say "no" or "that was my idea."

The character of Jake serves as a perfect foil. He isn't a "villain," but his natural confidence and tendency to take the spotlight create a vacuum that Humble Pie's silence fills. This dynamic brilliantly illustrates how even good friendships can become unbalanced if one person stops advocating for themselves.

John uses this workload to show that "too much humility" isn't just a personality trait—it's a recipe for burnout. The resolution is satisfying because Humble Pie doesn't change who he is; he simply adds a layer of "icing" to his character in the form of healthy boundaries.

Pete Oswald’s illustrations capture the shift in the narrator’s "crust" beautifully. The visual contrast between Humble Pie’s shrinking posture and Jake’s "room-lighting" energy helps young readers identify the power imbalance before the narrator even speaks it. The puns remain a highlight, keeping the tone light even as the book tackles the heavy topic of mental and emotional load.

I highly recommend The Humble Pie for any classroom focusing on self-advocacy and boundaries. It is a must-have for teaching students that their hard work deserves to be seen and that speaking up for yourself is a form of kindness, too.

Now, Prove It! — Theme with Evidence 

Students analyze key ideas, gather supporting quotes, and use structured sentence starters to explain how the evidence proves a theme. This resource helps readers practice moving from what happens in the story to what it means. Get your copy of Now, Prove It: The Humble Pie.

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Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Character Education: The "Doormat" vs. The "Pillar." Discuss the difference between being helpful (lifting others up) and being a "doormat" (letting others walk over you). What are the signs that you might be doing too much for others and not enough for yourself?
• Comparison: The Big Cheese vs. The Humble Pie. These two books are perfect opposites. One character has too much ego, while the other has too little. How do both characters eventually find a "middle ground"?
• Creative Writing: The Balanced Recipe. Have students write a "recipe" for a healthy personality. How many cups of humility do you need? How many tablespoons of "Speaking Up" or "Confidence"?
• Figurative Language: This book is a goldmine for baking-related idioms and puns. Explore phrases like "sugarcoating it," "icing on the cake," "piece of cake," and "half-baked idea." Have students draw the literal meaning vs. the figurative meaning.
• Role-Play: "The Tough Conversation." Humble Pie mentions that he "didn't love the idea of confronting his best friend." Have students practice role-playing a "tough conversation" where they ask for help or take credit for their work in a way that is firm but kind.
• Social Skills:  Discuss what it looks like to "share the spotlight." How can we be like the reformed Jake and make sure we are giving our friends credit for their contributions?
• Symbolism: This book is ideal to use when teaching symbolism for all ages.  Grab my Teaching Symbolism with Picture Book Activity.
• Theme: Teach theme with this picture book: The Humble Pie.
• Writing: Have students write a short paragraph describing a day in the life of Humble Pie one month after the story ends. How does he handle his chores and his friendship with Jake now that he has found his voice?