The Humble Pie

The Food Group #8

by Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

Serve up the eighth picture book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Food Group series from Jory John and Pete Oswald!

The Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks!—they deserve it!

But when he’s paired with his best friend, Jake the Cake, for a school project, he soon realizes that staying in the shadows isn’t always as sweet as pie. Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new pie pal discovers that letting your voice be heard always takes the cake!

Jory John and Pete Oswald serve up another heaping plate of laughs and lessons with this empowering, witty, and charming addition to their #1 New York Times bestselling series!

Check out Jory John and Pete Oswald’s other funny bestselling books for kids ages four to eight and anyone who wants a

The Bad SeedThe Good EggThe Cool BeanThe Couch PotatoThe Smart CookieThe Sour GrapeThe Big CheeseThe Good Egg The Great Eggscape!The Bad Seed The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky!The Cool Bean As Cool as It Gets!The Big Cheese Have Yourself a Cheesy Little ChristmasThe Bad Seed Goes to the LibraryThe Good Egg and the Talent ShowThe Cool Bean Makes a SplashThat’s What Dinosaurs Do

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Food, Storytime, Juvenile, Fiction

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2025

About the author

Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.

Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.

Reviews

[Kelly ♈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on my break while helping set up a new Barnes & Noble which is due to open in a few days. In this book, some cute little details and endearingly dad joke-esque word play; a solid message to consider; an awesome best friend who has a million cool interests; and a cameo appearance by at least one other character from this series of books. I wasn't supposed to have this opinion, but I was low-key amused at the scene where Pie and his bestie are supposed to be working on a project together, but he can't be bothered to, instead painting a flower and finding it boring to do the project-- and proceeds to do like 99 other diverse interests randomly on the spot. But it's sweet how understanding Pie is, and very, very sympathetic to his friend Cake (a familiar quality in the nature of this personality type-- but genuine nonetheless). Cake helps out in the end cos he's a good friend who cares about his bestie.

"Awwwwwww shucks!"

[Rubi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't what I expected from Humble Pie. Not sure what I was expecting but there is a big difference from being humble and letting people walk all over you.
But i did like that by the end the Humble Pie learned that it was OK for him to shine! It was ok to call others out and not let others take the credit for his work and okay to be proud of himself.
Overall nice addiction to this cute series 💗

[Mrs McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Humble Pie to my 4th graders and it was an instant hit. Jory John & Pete Oswald has a way of taking big social-emotional lessons—like the difference between being 'humble' and being a 'doormat'—and making them hilarious and relatable. My students loved the puns, but more importantly, it sparked a great conversation about group projects and making sure your voice is heard. It’s the perfect addition to our classroom library

[Taylor Kaphan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute per usual for the food group books! My boys liked it a lot. I really liked the message behind it. I do think it’ll be a little bit better for older kids. (6+) but still an enjoyable story for younger kids!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Children’s for the ALC!

[Linda S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It is a gift for my great nephew’s 5th birthday and I am so pleased to have found it. The message of combining humility with recognition for what you are contributing is just a great message for all of us.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read of this series and I thought it was so cute. It teaches kids to stand up for themselves and having tough conversation around fairness. I got it on @libro.fm and the audio was super cute. Jory John was always a fave of mine when I worked in elementary.

[⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ des ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

chat this play is about US

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute book. I'd have this on my shelf if I had kids.

[Ashley Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book that teaches that being humble doesn’t mean you’re a pushover.

[Heather Flynn]

A delightfully cute and punny book. 📖

[Hope]

this healed something in me

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the Food Group series.
Readers meet Humble Pie. He is content to be in the background and do the work without getting any credit. We see how this plays out with his friend Cake. Cake is amazing at so many things and stands out no matter what. Then a group project is almost a disaster. Pie finds the courage to speak up and share how he feels with his friend. I love how the two interact and then work together to complete the science project. We then see Pie stay humble but realize he doesn't have to be a doormat and let others take credit for his roles. The artwork is highly detailed and readers can look for other characters from the series.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It might be my favorite in this series! Love it!

[Lou Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book, which I do recommend reading. Great for kids dealing with big emotions. I've listened to several books in this series on Youtube by StoryTimeOutLoud.

The emotion in this book is jealousy. I love how the author addresses it for primary school level readers, although year 7s may also learn from this book. I love how it addresses sharing responsibility and friendships. I think it can be a very difficult discussion to have with kids about certain topics- and this book would enable some parents to help their kids talk about sensitive stuff.

I really hate how this is actually about something a lot of kids struggle with in friendships, but is unfortunately a part of the learning process/ growing pains for children/ having children.

I have asked my friend if I could get them the series of this book, after reffering them to this series on Youtube. I would love to get the physical books for them as I think this would be brilliant books about setting boundaries.

Corny and cheesy humour which is brilliant for kids books.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 8th character of The Food Group to receive his own book, falls in line like the rest of them as a tool for SEL with young children.

When Humble Pie is paired up to prepare a science presentation with his best friend Jake the cake, he is thrilled. As the week goes on, Humble Pie realizes that Jake is not holding up his end of the workload. He builds up the courage to confront his friend, who acknowledges that he has been a slacker. The two work together and experience great success.

Jory and illustrator Pete Oswald have succeeded in making this humble story speak to introverts, giving them permission to speak out for themselves. Jory's details and timing is right on. The story is encouraging and not didactic. Oswald's digital illustrations are bright and cheery, with lots of white space between multiple smaller images scattered throughout the story. (Interesting to see only Smart Cookie included - though these seem to be only desserts and sweets in this class - no Sour Grapes.)

Fans of the series will eat this one up, as well.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio of The Humble Pie, written by Jory John and narrated by Gary Tiedemann was really well done. Not very long, but long enough. I enjoyed the text/prose that rhymed quite a bit and the story has a great message.

Jake the Cake is letting Humble Pie do all the work on a group project, until Humble Pie stands up for himself.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Childrens for approving my request to listen to the advance listen of Humble Pie in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Nov 4, 2025. Between 10-15 minutes, looks like retail price is less about $3. If I had a young reader, I would purchase for them. I listened several weeks ago and relistened again today to refresh my thoughts prior to writing this review. Enjoyed both times.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great study in humility and that it doesn’t mean not standing up for yourself. I think this out of all John’s books in this series so far requires some higher level thinking and understanding of emotions and character. I think this book could be read for an older audience—like 1st through 3rd grade as part of a program on advocating for yourself. I also think you could pair this as a storytime for younger children with The Smart Cookie from the same series to show the contrast between being egotistical and being humble or with the Cool Bean from the same series to talk about work ethic. Loved this book and the illustrations as usual—the anthropomorphic portrayals of the characters is beyond cute as usual for the illustrator Pete Oswald.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Humble Pie is a kind, supportive friend who doesn't brag and will not hesitate to lift up a friend, especially best friend Jake. It is sometimes hard for Humble Pie to always be overlooked and not given recognition, but overall Humble Pie is fine staying low-key. However, it all comes to a head when Jake fails to do his share in a project and Humble Pie finally reaches the point where something must be said. Another clever picture book in The Food Group series with playful wordplay and an empowering message about speaking up and advocating for oneself.

"These days, I'm still a humble pie.
But now, I stick up for myself. And I take credit.
And I have tricky conversations when necessary.
And you know what? It's incredibly gratifying."

[Katelyn Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

- I received this book from NetGalley -

This book is fun for adults with the puns added throughout, for kids it shows the importance of standing up to your friends even if it is hard.

Yes staying in the background and helping out is easy, and potentially could give you personal satisfaction. But when things get hard you can't just go with the flow. I appreciate how that statement has been simplified so that kids can understand it.

A good short book for kids just getting into audio books, or for those who like to listen to a calm and melodic speaker. The narrator did an amazing job adding so much emotion to a short book.

[Kayleigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this book, especially it's message. This book gives the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you get a warm piece of apple pie at Thanksgiving, largely due to the illustrations and the colors used. I also love that this book gives the message that being humble is a good thing, but it is also good to speak up and not let others take all the credit for things. I feel this book would be better for older elementary kids as it's message could go over the heads of the younger kids. Overall, this is a lovely book with a wonderful message I think most people need to hear, regardless of age.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The food group books continue with "humble pie" learning to speak up for themself after cake (who always takes the cake) flakes out on a group project until pie decides to tell cake about themself to which cake responds positively so the project can go on.

It's one thing to work in the background and be the support, but there are times when being humble gets you no where and there needs to be an opportunity to advocate for yourself which is the crux of this next story in the series (just in time for the pie season holiday of Thanksgiving).

Another delightful SEL story.

[Joy Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute story using a pie to talk about how everyone is different. Some people are more humble, while others are more wanting to be more center or attention, and all of us do work well together. Sometimes the characters in the book get a little jealous, and so they have to work together to make their friendship continue to flourish. Both of them were able to shine. I love the food group series. Sometimes it is hard to have tricky conversations and stick up for yourself, but it is worth it.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jory John and Pete Oswald continue to amaze me with their creativity. This book about how good it is to be humble and stay in the shadows sometimes is made better by explaining how important it is to speak up when others are treating you unfairly. It is a hard balance and this pie manages to stand on top of the feelings, needs, and project while engaging his best friend who has not done much work on it. I believe my staff and students will love having this edition of The Food Group series by John and Oswald.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my kids’ favorite series. While the story did not hold their interest as much as The Bad Seed, the message was an important one and hard to find in many children’s books. Being humble is a virtue but it can also become something that can hold someone back. This book does a great job of helping people find the line between being humble and being walked over.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jessie Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story shows children that its okay to step back and let our friends do their thing but we also need to be able to have our own voice instead of letting people walk all over them. Pie lets cake take over a little bit when they are given a project to do together but he soon realizes he doesn't like to be walked all over and he can have a voice. This story teaches children to speak up when they feel they need to. Super cute book!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humble pie is not a braggart and wants to stay low key, but the birthday cake he befriends keeps putting off the pie and the contests. His social skills are all about himself, but cake changes when he thinks he cannot be ready for a contest and starts to work with his friend. Being humble was being unappreciated and getting walked all over but things go well when the humble pie sticks up for himself and get the birthday cake to help with the project and they succeed in making a good project.

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a pie. A humble pie. And that's no lie. The Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks--they deserve it! But when he's paired with his best friend, Jake the Cake, for a school project, he soon realizes that staying in the shadows isn't always as sweet as pie. Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new pie pal discovers that letting your voice be heard always takes the cake!

[Kara Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is playful and accessible, making the moral feel light rather than preachy. Bright, expressive illustrations support the story’s humor and heart, helping young readers connect with the character’s journey. Kids enjoy the silly scenarios, while adults appreciate the gentle reminder that everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how we grow from them.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Humble Pie is a fun and meaningful story about a slice of pie who has a big ego and has to learn what it really means to be humble. With bright illustrations and silly humor, the book teaches an important lesson about kindness, teamwork, and admitting when you’re wrong. It’s simple, engaging, and delivers a great message without feeling preachy. A sweet and helpful read for kids!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humble pie does the best he can. He doesn't mind that his efforts are overshadowed. That is, until he and his best friend begin work on their science experiment and his friend, loaded with extracurricular activities, flakes on him.
A gentle story about humility, standing up for yourself (even against your friends), and treating even the most humble with respect.