Beginning, Middle, and End

by Jon Burgerman

Meet Beginning, Middle and End–they are trying to work out who is the most important!

Beginning loves starting stories, but Middle thinks the middle is the most interesting and where the good stuff happens. Middle doesn’t want Beginning to always come
first. A fight ensues–and they wake up End, who disappears as he doesn’t like the arguing. But a book can’t exist without the end, so Beginning and Middle set out to find End–and they come to realize how much they need each other and how you can get the best out of everyone when you work together.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Writing, Childrens, Juvenile, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 6, 2026

Reviews

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious (yet simple) drawings that lend itself perfectly to the story that Burgerman is telling. It truly supports what the author's biography says about the author:  "Expressing creativity and fun is the key to [his] world. It is his belief that simple reactive acts can allow people to change not only their world but the world around them." Also, while reading, I found myself wanting to be sitting with kids, so we could discuss questions like: Why the different shapes for the different parts? Is what they say about each of them correct? How does this connect to the plot diagram?

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
WHen Beginning and Middle start arguing about which part of the book is most important, a disgruntled End walks out on them. Now the two others are left to contemplate a book without an End.
Watching and listening to Beginning and Middle argue and then panic is hilarious! Burgerman anthropomorphizes them skillfully. The illustrations feel just right.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book with the parts of the book talking amongst themselves. It is witty and fun to add to a unit of story writing once the kids are knee deep in their work. I am not sure it will circulate without my talking it up, but I also hope my students prove me wrong.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

ST read for older kids who are learning about story telling and how to write. Cute and funny.

[Carolyn]

Class visit

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun way to teach kids about the different parts of a story/beginning to write their own stories.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for teaching story writing! Front Flap is a fantastic hook to preview the book.

Connections:
* Friendship
* Working together
* Storytelling
* Writing = beg - mid - end

[Serhiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the basics of story writing and sometimes those elements are in conflict with each other. A must read for any novice writers! LOL.