The Good Egg (Jory John)

Title:  The Good Egg

Author:  Jory John

Illustrator:  Pete Oswald

Target Ages: 4 and up

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Summary:  The Good Egg is helpful. The Good Egg is kind. The Good Egg is responsible. The Good Egg tries to make everyone else act the right way too.  His do-good mantra is taken to an extreme which has an unwanted outcome.     

First Lines:  

“Oh, hello!

I was just rescuing this cat.

Know why?

Because I’m a good egg.

A verrrrrry good egg.”

Memorable Moment: 

“For once, I found time for me. And guess what! Little by little, the cracks in my shell started to heal.  My head no longer felt scrambled.”

Evaluation: 

A “good egg” is an archaic way of saying someone is a kind person. The term began as a contrast to the slang term “bad egg” to characterize a person who is not nice.  Author Jory John brilliantly builds on these terms to create a story about perfectionism, mental health, and letting go.  

The Good Egg is the second book in his creative and thought-provoking food series. The first is The Bad Seed, which I enjoyed so much that I purchased it. 

The Good Egg isn’t just a kind person. He has taken it to an extreme.  He has become a perfectionist, and with it, he is driven by a need to control. The text says, “I tried to take charge.  I tried to fix their bad behavior.  I tried to keep the peace.  Because I am a good egg.” His desire is noble: He wants everyone to act right and to do good.  Jory’s characterization resonates with many people.  

Little does the Good Egg realize, but the added pressure to control his surroundings is causing his shell to crack. He is literally cracking up (nice pun).  This situation is more reflective of the experiences of many older children and adults, but there are some young children who are perfectionistic and/or controlling. This story illustrates in a concrete manner where those tendencies lead.

The Good Egg leaves the chaos to take care of himself.  He walks, reads, relaxes, paints, and writes. He gets some spa time in. The text states, “Little by little, the cracks in my shell started to heal. My head no longer felt scrambled. (another good pun) I started to feel like myself again.”  The story illustrates many positive examples on how to deal with stress and mental exhaustion.  Overall, it shows the importance of making good personal choices.  

When the Good Egg returns to his home, he deals with the pressure better.  He doesn’t try to change others and control everything.  His shell heals to reflect how he has healed internally.  This story is a springboard for discussing healthy choices and boundaries.  

Illustrator Pete Oswald helps keep the serious topic lighthearted.  Whether it is the Good Egg walking an old lady piece of bacon across the road or the egg receiving a yolk IV, each watercolor illustration is a delight.  

This story will speak to people of all ages.  It may just be more meaningful for older children and adults than the target ages of a typical picture book.  I highly recommend The Good Egg.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Art: Download a free egg template. Students can create their own egg character.

• Character Education: Use this book as a springboard for discussion on healthy boundaries in relationships as well as on self-care.

• Comparison:  Compare how the Good Egg interacts with his fellow eggs in the beginning and at the end of the story.  Or compare The Good Egg to The Bad Seed.  How are these 2 stories similar and different?

• Creative Writing: Teach or review the plot diagram.  Then, have students pick a food item to write a story about in which they must incorporate all the parts of a story–exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. 

• Figurative Language:  Use the story to teach about puns and/or symbolism. 

• Literature: As a class or family, read the whole fruit series by Jory John and  Pete Oswald.

• Math: There are 12 eggs in a dozen. There are 12 egg characters in the story.  Learn or practice how to count by 12’s.  Do some math story problems using the term “dozen.”

• From TPT: Differentiated Book Study Companion Activities.

Looking to dive deeper into literary symbolism with your readers? Check out my Teach Symbolism Through Picture Book Analysis Activity—a flexible, discussion-rich resource that pairs perfectly with this book and many others. It's designed to build critical thinking through accessible texts and guided analysis that can be used with a broad range of school levels including middle, high, and even college. Find it now on TpT!

Poetry Friday: The Blacker the Berry

Title:  The Blacker the Berry 

Author:  Joyce Carol Thomas 

Illustrator: Floyd Cooper 

Target Ages:  3 and up 

Awards: Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators, Coretta Scott King Award for Authors (nominated), ALA Notable Children’s Book 

Genre:  Poetry Picture Book 

Publisher Summary: 
Black is dazzling and distinctive, like toasted wheat berry bread; snowberries in the fall; rich, red cranberries; and the bronzed last leaves of summer. In this lyrical and luminous collection, Coretta Scott King honorees Joyce Carol Thomas and Floyd Cooper celebrate these many shades of black beautifully. 

Poem Samples: 
“What Shade Is Human?"
 At breakfast

I pour milk all over my bowl of berries

And Grandpa says,

“It's the milk of kindness

that makes us human.”

“Yes, Papa," I answer,

and he continues:

"White milk

Chocolate milk

Sweet milk

Mother’s milk.”

I nod between bites of berries

because

My mother long ago

When she nursed me my first milk

Said, “You are beautiful,”

And I heard her.

“The Blacker the Berry"
 “The blacker the berry

the sweeter the juice.”

I am midnight and berries

I call the silver stars at dusk

By moonrise they appear

And we turn berries into nectar

Because I am dark the moon and stars

shine brighter

Because berries are dark the juice is sweeter

Day couldn’t dawn without the night

Colors, without black, couldn’t sparkle

quite as bright

“The blacker the berry

the sweeter the juice”

I am midnight and berries 

Evaluation:  
The poems have a couple significant connections.  

First, the berry metaphor is used throughout in creative and poignant ways.   For instance, one speaker is her “great-grandma’s raspberry color,” her “grandma’s blackberry cheeks,” and her “mama’s mulberry mouth.”  Another child refers to himself as “raspberry black” because he is part Native Indian and part African American.  Each use of color—shades of dark—reflects the child’s heritage and instills confidence.

Second, the poems reflect the diversity within the African-American community.  Colors range from deep black like coffee berries to “light as snowberries in fall.”  Many of the children are mixed race.  Each child recognizes his or her uniqueness and beauty.   

Finally,  the poems instill pride in children (and adults) of color.  In “Snowberries,” the child  speaker wants to be “black as midnight” so she isn’t made fun of for her “snowy skin.”  She comes to realized that if she bleeds “the one drop of blood” she is just as “Black” as a dark skinned person.  Another child declares she “feels absolutely fabulous to be this brown.”  In the final poem, it says: “Each color is rich in its own right/We come in all shades.”

Floyd Cooper’s illustrations enrich the diversity, beauty, and pride that exude from each poem.  Each two-page spread shows the sparkle, radiance, and musing of the children as they contemplate their heritage and individuality.  

The Blacker the Berry is a stunning collection of poems and art.  

This post is part of the Poetry Friday link up hosted by My Juicy Little Universe.

 

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.

10 Terrific Picture Books (Perfect for Summer Reading)

Dino Duckling

Alison Murray, author & illustrator

When Dino Duck is born, he is different than his siblings and doesn’t quite fit in with the other lake animals.  His mother consistently reminds him, “scales or feathers, big or small, we’re a family and there’s room for us all.”  When it is time to fly south for the winter, it is a true test of their family bonds.  This sweet inversion of the ugly duckling fairy tale is a must read! 

Oh Dear, Geoffrey!

Gemma O’Neill, author & illustrator

Poor Geoffrey!  Whatever he tries to do, he is a clumsy mess!  Whether it is tripping over his long, gangly legs or bumping into a group of elephants, Geoffrey’s attempts to make friends falls flat…until, he meets a group of monkeys and a flock of birds.  Then, he realizes he is special just the way he is.     

I Am NOT a Chair!

Ross Burach, author & illustrator

On Giraffe’s first day in the jungle, the other animals mistake him for a chair.  If that is not bad enough, he is captured by a human who takes him home to be…a chair.  Just as Giraffe gets the courage to tell the others he is not a chair, he has an encounter with the most feared animal in the jungle!  The exuberant illustrations are full of humor and irony. 

Rumble Grumble…Hush

Kate Banks, author

Simone Shin, illustrator

A young boy revels in the noises of the morning—from the clitter-clatter of playing with his toys to the chitter-chatter of his parents talking. As he plays, there is a “roar” of a lion and a yell from a dragon as well as a “rumble grumble bang!”  After a while, it is quiet time. The boy's imagination continues to take flight—even in the silence of the afternoon.  ull of noise and wonder, this book illustrates the joy of a life unplugged.

Big and Small

Elizabeth Bennett, author

Jane Chapman, illustrator

Big (Bear) and Small (Mouse) are best friends.  As they spend the day together, Small often needs help. Big is always there to lend a hand.  At bedtime, Big needs “a little help, please.”  Of course, Small is happy to do it.  Chapman’s charming illustrations along with Bennett’s sweet text make Big and Small a memorable and heart-warming read about friendship and kindness!

I Want That Nut!

Madeline Valentine, author & illustrator

Mouse and Chipmunk are playing together when they spy a big, beautiful Nut.  They both want it.  They both insist on the other taking it. They both end up stealing it from the other.  After lots of hijinks, humor, and drama, Mouse and Chipmunk come to a valuable realization.

My Grandma’s a Ninja

Todd Tarplay, author

Danny Chatzikonstantinou, illustrator

Ethan’s grandma is a ninja.  At first, he loves all the fun and attention they are having.  Then, her power kick deflates his team’s ball and their escapades prevent the family from going out to dinner.  Ethan asks his grandma to stop acting like a ninja.  When she doesn’t take him to school the next morning, Ethan begins missing her and feeling bad for the way he acted.  Grandma shows up though at a vital moment.  Ethan gains a greater appreciation for his grandma—quirks and all. 

Where Is Bear?

Jonathan Bentley, author & illustrator

Where is Bear?  Under the sofa?  In the car?  On the shelf?  As the little boy looks all over the house for Bear, readers catch glimpses him.  This charming book is ideal for preschoolers who are sure to delight in telling the boy where Bear is hiding.  Also, there is a sweet, unexpected ending. 

Let’s Go, Hugo

Angela Dominguez, author & illustrator

Hugo is not your typical bird:  He prefers walking to flying. He is content living on the ground.  Lulu befriends Hugo.  She wants him to fly with her to visit the Eiffel Tower.  Hugo is afraid to admit he not only doesn’t know how to fly, but he is afraid to try.  With the help of a wise friend, Hugo overcomes his fear and learns “the sky is the limit” when he allows himself to be open to change.  

Nana in the City

Lauren Castillo, author & illustrator
A boy visits his Nana at her new city apartment.  All the noises and activities make him feel apprehensive.  However, Nana loves the bustling and booming of the city.  The next morning, she gives the boy a fancy red cape.  Together they explore the city, allowing the boy to realize the city is not scary at all.  Instead, there is so much for Nana (and him) to do there.  He comes to the conclusion it is the perfect place for her to live. 

5 Fabulous Read-Aloud Picture Books

There Might Be Lobsters

Carolyn Crimi, author

Laurel Molk, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  

Sukie is afraid of everything.  But with her faithful girl, Eleanor, and her beloved stuffed monkey by her side, maybe—just maybe—she can overcome her fears.

Why It’s Fabulous:

Eleanor helps her dog Sukie overcome her fears—both rational and irrational.  Sukie realizes she is much braver than she realizes.

Escargot

Dashka Slater, author

Syndney Hanson, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Bonjour!

I am Escargot.

I want only two things:

1.      To be your favorite animal.
2.      To get to the delicious salad at the end of the this book.

Are you ready?

On your mark…Get set…Go!

Why It’s Fabulous:

Witty and interactive, readers will fall in love with Escargot the snail.  The soft watercolor paintings and French phrases add to the charm. Escargot lays out several arguments why snails should be the reader’s favorite animal, using the audience’s anticipated objections. Teachers can use this story as a mentor text for teaching argument.   Finally, the story illustrates the importance of self-acceptance.

The Rabbit Listened

Cori Doerrfeld, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary:

When something sad happens to Taylor, all the animals think they know how to help.  One by one they come, but nothing they say makes Taylor feel better. Until the rabbit arrives…and the rabbit knows just what to do. 

Why It’s Fabulous:

The sweet illustrations and poignant storytelling reveal what people often need when they are feeling sad.  A wonderful story to teach children about their and others’ feelings. 

How to Find an Elephant

Kate Banks, author

Boris Kulikov, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

What to do on a dull gray day? Head into the wilds and look for elephant.  You will need a pair of binoculars, a blanket, a flute, some food, a little imagination, and a lot of curiosity.

Why It’s Fabulous:

A typical backyard becomes an imaginary romp through the jungle.  At every turn, readers catch a glimpse of a camouflaged elephant in the lush mixed-media illustrations. 

The Scariest Book Ever

Bob Shea, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary:

Boo!  This is the scariest book EVER, narrated by a ghost who lives near a scary dark forest. The woods are probably crawling with hungry monsters with smelly breath, sharp fangs, and pointy claws.  If you want to check them out, go ahead and turn the page.  Just don’t expect the ghost to join you.

Why It’s Fabulous:
Retro graphics, colorful pictures, and clever text make this book a humorous ghoul time.  The ghost narrator interacts with the readers, inviting them onto a scary journey that is everything but frightening.  Ironic twists and an unexpected ending make this book a read-aloud favorite for Halloween or anytime.