The Cool Bean (by Jory John)

Title: The Cool Bean

Author: Jory John 

Illustrator: Pete Oswald 

Target Ages: 6 and up 

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Summary: A bean who used to be part of a tight-knit group of friends finds himself on the outside looking in. As his old friends become the "Cool Beans," he feels uncool and forgotten. However, he soon learns that being "cool" has much less to do with sunglasses and swagger and much more to do with how you treat others.

First Lines: “Watch out! Here come the cool beans. The cool beans.”

Memorable Moment: “A poco a poco, I started to feel like one of them again. Not because I was wearing sunglasses... but because I was being kind. And they were being kind to me.”

Evaluation: In our culture, "coolness" is often equated with being aloof, stylish, or popular. Author Jory John brilliantly deconstructs this myth. He takes a character who feels "uncool"—a bean who is clumsy and self-conscious—and pits him against a trio of beans who seem to have it all.

The Cool Bean is a masterclass in empathy. The narrator isn't just "not cool"; he is lonely. He remembers when he and the cool beans were "a pod," and the pain of drifting apart is something that resonates with anyone who has ever transitioned to a new grade or school.

The turning point isn't a makeover or a change in personality. Instead, the "Cool Beans" perform small, quiet acts of kindness for the narrator when he is at his lowest. They help him when he drops his tray; they move over to give him a seat. Jory John shows that true "coolness" is actually warmth.

Little by little, the narrator realizes that he doesn't need to change who he is to belong. He just needs to be a "good bean." This story illustrates in a concrete manner how small gestures can change someone's entire world.

Illustrator Pete Oswald uses the "cool" aesthetic—sunglasses, leather jackets, and slicked-back hair—to create a visual contrast that eventually melts away as the characters connect. The watercolor textures make even the "coolest" beans feel approachable and soft, mirroring the book's heart.

I highly recommend The Cool Bean for any classroom or home. It’s a powerful tool for building a culture of kindness and shifting the social focus from "status" to "support."

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 Cool Bean.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Art: Draw a "Cool Bean" and a "Kind Bean." Are they the same person? Decorate them with accessories that represent kindness (like an umbrella to keep someone dry or a hand to help someone up).
• Character Education: "Coolness" Brainstorm. List traits people think are cool (clothes, shoes) vs. traits that actually make a friend (honesty, kindness).
• Comparison: Compare how the narrator feels at the beginning (invisible) to the end (seen). What specific actions made that change happen?
• Creative Writing: Write a "Thank You" note from the narrator to one of the Cool Beans for a specific act of kindness mentioned in the book.
• Drama/Roleplay: Act out the "cafeteria scene." Practice what it looks like to "be cool" by helping someone who has made a mistake.
• Figurative Language: Discuss the pun "Cool Bean." What does it mean literally vs. figuratively?
• Symbolism:  This book is ideal to use when teaching symbolism for all ages.  Grab my Teaching Symbolism with Picture Book Activity.
• Theme:  You can teach theme with The Cool Bean.  

Max Explains Everything (Stacy McAnulty)

Max Explains Everything is a budding series by author Stacy McAnulty and illustrator Deborah Hocking. Two books have been published so far:  Max Explains Everything: Grocery Story Expert and Max Explains Everything: Soccer Expert.  There is a lot to love about this character and series.

Max is confident.  From the grocery story to the soccer field,  he considers himself an expert.  He illustrates that confidence can come from participation and enthusiasm in everyday experiences. 

Connect his experiences to similar ones children in your home or classroom have had.  Then, allow kids to create their own “expert” stories based on their similar or different events. 

Max is funny.  His boisterous personality is sure to make kids laugh—whether he is hiding to avoid going to the store, faking an injury, or trying to convince his mother to buy something.  Most of the laughs come from hyperbole and irony.  For example, the grocery store has 8000 aisles, and his shin guards are “battle armor on [his] legs”  (hyperbole).   Max “helps out” the soccer team by getting rid of distractions like dandelions.  In reality, he is laying in the middle of the field blowing on one as the ball wizzes past.  In Grocery Store Expert, he informs his audience that “everything tastes better when served on a toothpick.”  However, his face and body language tell a different tale as he is being offered a sushi sample! 

Define (or review) and discuss examples of hyperbole and irony in the stories.   Talk about why the author used these literary tools. 

Max is optimistic.  Even when he does not get his way, he stays positive.  For instance, him mom decides to buy two boxes of Whole Wheat Healthy Oats—instead of one of his preferred cereals.  No worries.  He remains hopeful he will get his favorite treat (cookies).   She denies that request too, but eventually he sneaks in a candy bar.  In Soccer Expert, Max is more interested in interacting with people and nature than playing the game.  As a result, he misses multiple chances to kick the ball.  As he says goodbye to his coach and team mates, he says, “Can’t wait to kick the ball again next week.” 

Point out how being optimistic—even when things didn’t go as he planned—gave him confidence and created a positive atmosphere.  Discuss ways to stay positive in disappointing or difficult circumstances.

Max is creative and imaginative.  In Soccer Expert, his mom wants to take his picture—kicking the ball.  Max has a different idea.  He poses smiling (as someone kicks the ball behind him). He gives a “serious” look (as a teammate heads the ball).  His “team” picture is of him showing jazz hands as the rest of the team is in the distance playing.  In Grocery Store Expert, he uses his imagination to attempt to convince his mom to buy something from the bakery.  He tells her it is Llama Appreciate Day, so they need a cake, and Boys Named Max Day, so they need donuts.  Then, he tries to trick her by saying it is Opposite Day, so they must get cupcakes. 

Encourage children to imaginatively respond to a situation—from the book or their own experience.  They can act it out, draw it, or describe it. 

Hocking’s gouache and colored pencil drawings are a delight!  Max’s exuberant personality spills off the pages.  Shifting perspectives add to the text and characterization.  For instance, an exaggerated wall of cereal illustrates the daunting tasking of picking the “right one” because the “fate of breakfast” is at stake.  In a later scene, only the top of his head is shown as he peeks at the various delicious baked goods.  This sheepish appearance is an attempt to convince his mom to buy one of the treats.  Parallel experiences are also shown.  As the rest of the team runs in a single file line warming up, Max stretches, twirls, and somersaults his way into preparation for the big game. 

McAnulty and Hocking have created an endearing and hilarious character that youngsters are sure to connect with.  Check this books out!

Max, kid-expert extraordinaire, will be back in 2020 with Max Explains Everything: Puppy Expert.

For more Perfect Picture Books, visit Susanne Leonard Hill. 

Princess Truly (Kelly Greenawalt)

I am excited to share the Princess Truly book duo!  Author Kelly Greenawalt and illustrator Amariah Rauscher created this character and these books because they want their daughters to see themselves as “strong, smart, problem-solving, confident” people. 

Princess Truly in I am Truly

Princess Truly, a celebration of the modern girl, imagines herself as a treasure-hunter, engineer, sailor, and astronaut—all while wearing a purple tutu and pigtails.  Full of spunk and imagination, she pretends to a be a superhero, a rock star, and a dinosaur trainer. 

The snappy, rhyming text exudes confidence and strength.  She declares…

I am strong.

I am skillful,

I am a born leader.

I can do anything

I set my mind to do.

Do you know that you

can do all these things, too?

You are Truly Fabulous!

Princess Truly in My Magical Sparkling Curls

In this second terrific picture book, Truly celebrates her “fluffy, puffy, curls.”  As she believes in herself, “they shimmer and they shine.”  Truly imagines playing with dinosaurs as well as exploring ancient pyramids, the deep sea, and outer space. 

Like the debut title, each scene and experience empowers Truly to see herself competent and confident. 

The Princess Truly books are ideal for young girls ages 2-7. African-American girls will be encouraged to take pride in their hair and their identity. All young girls will be drawn to her imaginative and energetic personality.  

For Truly coloring sheets, click HERE.

For more books celebrating African American hair, click HERE.

Smile (Raina Telgemeier)

Title: Smile

Author/Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier

Target Ages: 11-15

Genre: Memoir/Graphic Novel

Awards:  Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winner, Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, New York Times Editor’s Choice

Publisher Summary:

“Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Raina’s story takes us from middle school to high school, where she discovers her artistic voice, finds out what true friendship really means, and where she can finally…smile.”

Evaluation:
I recently reviewed Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters, which I loved. In many ways, I think I like Smile even more. 

The structure of the book is centered around Raina’s journey for the perfect physical smile. Many (myself included) will empathize with her journey—getting her front teeth knocked out, braces, root canals, head gear, and more. I cringed many times at the painful experiences!

Teen angst abounds from crushes to embarrassing moments to body changes.  For instance, she develops a crush on a boy in her band class, but loses interest in him before he loses interest in her—causing awkwardness for both of them.  Unfortunately, her next crush is long and unrequited. Also, she is often mocked and teased by her “friends.” One of the worst experiences is when they pulled down her skirt during lunch! Of course, she must go to school with zits, a lack of fashion sense, and tons of teeth problems. These types of issues plague most people as they move through middle school and into high school, making her memoir highly engaging and relevant.

The heart of the narrative, though, is Raina’s emotional journey. Like most adolescents, she struggles with feeling awkward, trying to fit in, and going through puberty. She has a toxic group of friends who exploit her insecurities further.  When she finally comes to realize how awful they are and makes new friends, her confidence and outlook change dramatically. Raina learns to smile at life. 

She ends with a timeless epiphany:

“My life didn’t magically turn perfect after that…Instead, I threw my passion into things I enjoyed, rather than feeling sorry for myself.  I realized that I had been letting the way I looked on the outside affect how I felt on the inside. But the more I focused on my interests, the more it brought out things I liked about myself. And that affected the way other people saw me!”

I highly recommend Smile for middle grade and teen readers.  The graphic novel format is ideal for reluctant readers.  The motifs are realistic and relatable for all ages. 

Historical Connections:

San Francisco Earthquake (1989)

For more Marvelous Middle Grade suggestions, visit Shannon Messenger's Blog.

Chicken Lily (Lori Mortensen)

Title: Chicken Lily

Author: Lori Mortensen

Illustrator: Nina Victor Crittenden

Target Ages: 2-8

First Lines:

Chicken Lily was a lot of things . . .

a careful colorer,

a patient puzzler,

and the quietest hide-and-seeker.

She never made a peep.

But Lily was also something else . . .

Publisher Summary:

When Lily’s teacher, Mrs. Lop, plans a school-wide poetry jam, Lily is terrified.  She doesn’t want to stand in front of everyone and sound like a birdbrain.  With encouragement from her friends Baabette and Pigsley, Lily decides to hatch a plan.

Evaluation:

When I was in high school, I was so afraid of public speaking that I took a “C” in my English class rather than give a speech. For some, a “C” may be no big deal. To me, it was a fate worse than death.  I was just that terrified of public speaking. In my college speech class a few years later, everything changed.  We had to memorize and to recite a poem.  Being the overachiever I am, I practiced it until I had it perfect—words, tone, inflection, everything. My teacher was so pleased, he asked me to do it again when the dean came in to evaluate his class.  Not only did that experience skyrocket my confidence as a public speaker (which is a good thing since I ended up a teacher), I felt it increased my confidence in other areas of my life too. 

A similar scenario plays out in Chicken Lily. The protagonist, Lily, is a literal and figurative chicken. She is afraid to take chances, to speak up in class (even when she knows the answer), or, even, to try new foods. Paralyzed by all that could go wrong, she is missing out on memorable and beneficial experiences. When the teacher announces a poetry slam, Lily is certain she cannot write a poem or participate in the event. 

Author Lori Mortensen flawlessly portrays the common childhood issues of fear and shyness through her adorable character, Lily.  Mortensen depicts Lily in a multi-faceted way with positive qualities like being precise, patient, and skilled (at games).  Like a sandwich, these qualities are highlighted effectively at beginning and ending the story.  In the middle, these attributes help her ultimately to overcome her character weaknesses. 

Artist Nina Crittenden uses soft watercolors to depict Lily and her animal friends. Each animated barnyard animal is appealing, especially to the target audience of preschoolers and primary grade children.  The illustrations depict poetry and recitation in a positive manner in their facial expressions and body language.  

The story is littered with puns, idioms, similes, and other fun word play with a “chicken” focus.  For instance, instead of saying “turn up your nose,” she uses “turn up your beak.”  “Shiver down the spine” is modified to say “shiver down her tail feathers.”  Also, the usage of puns offers an opportunity to discuss multiple meaning words. For example, Lily “hatches a plan.”  “Hatch” has a direct connection to a chicken breaking out of its egg.  In this context, it means to devise a plan.  (You could also discuss other non-related meanings like a type of door or a small hole between two rooms.)

Lily overcomes her fear and participates in the poetry slam.  The story ends with her still being a "chicken," but “just not all the time.” The first inference is because she overcame her fear of public speaking. However, the final picture reveals that her new confidence carries over to other areas in her life: She is riding her bike confidently without training wheels. 

Like many children, Lily lacks boldness and confidence.  She models that by taking small steps, self-assurance can be built. I recommend Chicken Lily for your home or school library.  It is sure to become a favorite, especially if you have a little "chicken" who needs a boost in confidence.   

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

• Literary Connections: Read about another famous chicken: Chicken Little. Compare and contrast the “chicken” characters in both stories.
• Character Education: Discuss the positive qualities Lily displays and how those attributes benefit her.  Brainstorm other ways those qualities can help a person problem solve difficult situations.
• Poetry: Complete a poetry activity together.  Memorize and recite a poem as a class or individually.  Plan your own poetry slam for the class or family. Or, simply, read some poems together.    
• Science: Read some non-fiction picture books about chickens.  If possible, visit a farm or person with chickens to observe and interact with them.  Talk about why a person who is afraid is called a “chicken.”
• Inference:  Discuss what it means when it says that she is still a chicken, just not all the time.
• Language:  Discuss idioms, similes, multiple meaning words, and puns.  See lists below. 

Word Play with Idioms

• Turned up her beak
• Shivers down her tail feathers
• Fell flat on her beak
• She laid an egg (out of fear)

Similes

• Felt like a rotten egg
• Broccoli like a tree
• Writing a poem is like putting a puzzle together
• Sound like a birdbrain
• Held up like a gem

Puns

• Never made a peep
• Acting like a chicken
• A birdbrain
• Lily brooded about it
• Hatched a plan
• Nearly molted
• Wants to fly the coop

Picture Book: Mommy Whispers (by Jenny Lee Sulpizio)

Mommy Whispers, by Jenny Lee Sulpizio, is a celebration of mothers, daughters, and women.  It begins with the birth of a new baby girl.  The new mother sees her daughter as a “true miracle.”  Watching her sleep, she whispers in her little ear, “You are God’s gift to me, forever you will be.”  Though each significant stage—toddlerhood, school years, high school, college, marriage, and finally, motherhood—the mother whispers those same words to her daughter while praying for her growth into the unique woman God wants her to be. 

As a mother, this book reminds me of the importance of valuing and savoring each developmental stage and on praying your children through it.  I love that it is about mothers and daughters because it is a relationship that is often strained, especially during the turbulent teens.  It is also a vital relationship to the healthy growth of any young woman.   Mommy Whispers is one small way of passing on to a daughter her significance as an individual, but even more importantly, as a strong, confident woman.   The book exemplifies the importance of nurturing, encouraging, and honoring our girls. 

The soft illustrations, by Peg Lozier, reflect a calm, loving, and gentle tone that compliments the text well.   The portraits of mother and daughter often depict tender gestures, such as hugging, holding hands, and cuddling, reminding us of the value of a healthy physical connection with our children.   I recommend Mommy Whispers to any mother who has a daughter she wants to feel cherished. 

Picture Books: Little Quack (by Lauren Thompson)

Little Quack, illustrated by Derek Anderson, is one of the most adorable picture book characters. This series of books, written by Lauren Thompson, is entertaining, educational, and endearing.  Little Quack and Little Quack’s Hide and Seek are among my favorites.  They both illustrated early math skills and invite listener participation.  I HIGHLY recommend this series for ages 2-7.  As an extension idea, follow up reading with a trip to local lake or pond to feed the ducks!  

Little Quack   

Mama Duck has five little ducklings:  Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, Puddle, and Little Quack.  They have lived securely in their nest, but now it is time to leave.   Mama urges them to paddle on the water with her.  The little ducklings squeeze in close.  One by one, they gather the courage to jump.  Each time the following repetitive text is given before the next duckling plunges in: 

“No, Mama, no!” they cried. “We’re too scared!”

“You can do it,” Mama said. “I know you can.” 

There is onomatopoeia to accompany the ducklings as they enter the pond, such as “splish,” “splash,” and “splosh.”  Along the bottom border, a running quack-u-lator tallies how many ducklings are in the pond. The numeral, a picture illustration of the number, and the numeral word are all included.  The final duckling to take the plunge is Little Quack.  As he splishes and splashes in the water, he cries, “I did it…I really did it!”  His Mama replies, “I always knew you could.” This sweet book is perfect for teaching about courage and confidence as well as onomatopoeia, counting to five, numerals, number words, and pond life. 

Little Quack’s Hide and Seek  

One day Mama suggests they play hide-and-seek.  Each duckling is confident that Mama Duck won’t be able to find him.  He will find the “best” place of all.  One by one they find a spot to hide as Mama counts to ten.  (The quack-u-lator on the bottom border illustrates the basic subtraction problem.)  As Mama finishes counting,  Little Quack has not found a place to hide yet.  He stealthily swims up behind her as she seeks out her little ducklings.  The repetitive text states each time:

“Any ducklings down there?"  she called.

(Ducklings respond in various ways as they are found.)

“That’s (number) little ducklings found,” said Mama.

“Who will I find next?” 

Little Quack sure is tricky.  After all the other ducklings are found, Mama Duck cannot locate him.  (Children will enjoy “finding” him though.)   Finally, Little Quack jumps out and yells, “Here I am...Right behind you, Mama!”  She responds, “You did find the best hiding place of all!”  The family all laughs at how Little Quack tricked Mama Duck.  Little Quack’s Hide and Seek teaches adding, subtracting, counting, and numeral words.   It also depicts a family playing and laughing together. 

Other Little Quack Books

Little Quack’s Bedtime

Little Quack’s New Friend

For babies and toddlers, there are Little Quack Board Books on ABC's, Counting, Bathtime, Colors, and Opposites.