Not a Bean

by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, Laura Gonzalez (Illustrator)

A Mexican jumping bean isn't a bean at all. It's a fascinating home and food source for a special kind of caterpillar!

With Spanish vocabulary and a clever counting concept, this poetic story shares the life cycle of a Mexican jumping bean. This curious jumping insect is actually a seedpod from a shrub called yerba de la flecha, into which a caterpillar burrows, living inside the pod until it builds a cocoon and breaks out as a moth. Perfect for preschoolers and prereaders, this creative picture book explores the Mexican jumping bean's daily life and eventual transformation and escape from the pod.

Genres: Picture Books, Spanish Literature, Latinx, Science, Nonfiction, Stem, Counting

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 5, 2019

About the author

Claudia is the award winning author of The Smell of Old Lady Perfume, Pig Park, Not A Bean, Spirit Untamed: Movie Novel, Still Dreaming, and several books for the educational market. She grew up in sunny El Paso (TX), but now lives and writes in Chicago.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to play with these when I was younger they were just so fun. Now I feel bad because I'm thinking the moth probably didn't survive long when it hatched (in Northern Ohio instead of Mexico). The writing has a counting theme in mixed English and Spanish. A few long Spanish words for animals and plants I didn't know, but fortunately there's a glossary in the back.

[Paola Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading age is 3-7 years.educational book that shows what is inside the bean and teaches Spanish words and counts in Spanish to number 1-10. The book shows what animals hides inside the bean and their way until some friends find the bean.

[Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an informational book for young children that connects to a traditional misconception of jumping "beans". The bilingual modality of the book connects readers to their heritage while providing information on what some culturally relevant things really are. It is a great mirror for young readers growing up in bilingual households or communities that are made up of a mixture of different backgrounds. It is also a great read for young children learning more about other cultures.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightful blend of nonfiction (the life cycle of the jumping bean moth), counting (one caterpillar up to ten stars), and spanish vocabulary words. The illustrations show three rattlesnakes where the story reads “tres cascabeles,” and the glossary and back matter is great for readers who want to learn more. An adorable and informative story!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hidden secrets of the legendary Mexican jumping beans are revealed in a clever counting story that introduces Spanish vocabulary related to the desert ecosystem.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! I had forgotten all about Mexican Jumping Beans. They used to be sold in so many places when I was growing up, now I never see them. For the longest time I wondered what was in them, then, when I last remember seeing them in my really early 20's, I cracked one open to find out. Horrified at the poor caterpillars trapped inside, I freed them all. Probably a bad thing to do now that I've read the book. Sad. Sadder that anyone even thought of exporting the poor creatures to areas they can't survive in.... But now there's this wonderful story of the magical beans along with an explanation of the beans at the very end and of the moth inside. Loved that there are games kids played with the beans! Never knew about them. I think kids everywhere will be intrigued!
I also enjoyed the use of Spanish words in the story (there's an index at the end with translations). Nice intro to Spanish!
The illustrations were wonderful; big and simple, it would make a nice story time book for pre-3rd grade.

[Emma Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bean is a story about a Mexican jumping bean, which is not a bean at all it is a caterpillar's cocoon. From what I gathered in the story these "beans" jump around when they are in danger or need to go somewhere to spin their cocoon and hatch. I thought that this book was fun because it incorporates a game that a lot of latinx children play with the Mexican jumping beans. I think it brings a good bit of nostalgia. I also loved that it incorporated some Spanish vocabulary words throughout the whole story. I think that would be perfect to use in a classroom if you have a student who is a native Spanish speaker or if you want to begin to teach the children some Spanish. I think this book provides a light-hearted insight into Mexican culture.
I thought the illustrations were cute and simple and the words flowed well. The pattern of the repetitive "click-clack" added a nice touch to the overall feel of the book.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It’s great for kids who love bugs. Lots to learn, even some fun Spanish words. Fun to read out loud.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a Bean by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, illustrated by Laura Gonzalez. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2019. $17. ISBN 9781580898157

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) EL – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Part Spanish counting book, part moth life cycle narrative, this book follows a jumping bean caterpillar, inside its “not a bean” seedpod, for a day as it jumps out of the sunlight, away from animal sounds, and around a playing board drawn on the ground. The next day, the saltarine (jumper) is still. The caterpillar inside is now busy spinning a cocoon until, several days later, it emerges as a moth.

A glossary of Spanish words and an author’s note provide additional information for the reader. Told in rhyme, this is an entertaining and educational introduction about a little-known wonder of nature.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had one of these when I was a little kid; I don't know where it came from or how I got it or what exactly happened to it ... (I'm not picturing a rosy future for this moth in western Michigan; I'm sorry!). What a terrific book all around! Great illustrations! Seamless use of a concept (counting) and Spanish words in the story (thank you for the translations in the back) and teaching about a little known thing.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old and I really enjoyed this #VAReads pick for 2021-2022. Beautiful illustrations and unique integration of Spanish vocabulary and counting throughout.

Highly recommended for Spanish Immersion elementary schools in particular, but for all elementaries in general.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up picture book about how a caterpillar burrows into a bean and then travels a long distance through weather and other means. Nice spanish words and counting mixed in.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating and taught me a lot!

[Dorothy Vandezande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about a Mexican jumping bean, with counting in Spanish.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bilingual Spanish -English picture book explains what Mexican jumping beans are (hint, they are not beans). It also has counting to ten. Back matter explains more.

[Jane Hertenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute little picture book disguises the fact that it is a teaching tool. I had no idea what a jumping bean really was! Now I know it is a multi-step process—just like the production of Not a Bean.

Full disclosure: I know the author. I saw drafts of Not a Bean as it was being formed, like a caterpillar into a beautiful moth or butterfly. I was privy to the twists and turns and pivots. And, just like the children surrounding the jumping “beans” I was curious to how it would all turn out.

For the next little bit while school children are home this would be an excellent book and could accompany/underscore many home activities and projects, least of all just letting children become familiar with the “beans.” Back matter provides some personal insights and explanations (one of which is a warning about the fate of our planet’s butterfly/moth populations).

Not a Bean is perfect for remote learning, as it involves other natural observations and teaches counting.

[Musiclib · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book detailing how a Mexican jumping bean isn't actually a bean. Spanish vocabulary is mixed in so that by the end of the book readers have counted to 10 and named numerous animals and plants. Most of the time the vocabulary is easy enough to deduce based on the illustrations, but there is a glossary in the back for trickier words. (Personally, I wish the flipping back and forth didn't need to happen.)

An average picture book in general, but a good multi-cultural science picture book.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

I did not know what a "Mexican jumping bean" actually was so now I know. I like how this book went through the numbers in Spanish but I wish they were bolded or something like the color words in Not A Monster. I like the integration of Spanish words in a way where context clues will help the reader figure out unknown words. But there is a glossary at the back just in case.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookaday #27. Kid friendly text, masquerading as a counting book or NF depending on what resonates with the reader, engaging illustrations, sprinkling of Spanish words, life cycle of a moth. Always have been intrigued by Mexican jumping beans, don’t think I knew there were moths in them til quite recently. Public library has this shelved as juvenile fiction, verso says 595.78.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a moth that takes a long time to get where it’s going! But the counting and language journey is plenty fun. Each page counts up until we get to 10, and there are many Spanish words nicely incorporated into the text. Reading with the four-year-old we had a good time counting in English and Spanish on each page, as well as following the journey of not-a-bean.

[Bern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I mean, I had no idea there was a little caterpillar inside jumping beans, making them jump. Granted, I didn't even know it wasn't a bean. There aren't many opportunities to handle jumping beans here in South Africa lol so this picture book was an education for both my son and myself and it's precisely why this book was such a fun addition to our Mexico lesson unit.

[Danni Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable book integrates counting in Spanish and some vocabulary into a fascinating presentation of what a Mexican Jumping Beans. I think kids will enjoy learning about this "bean" that's really a home for a bug, whether they've seen one before or not -- I know I did!

[Gail Canizares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a bean

A thoughtful story that teaches a few words in Spanish while teaching the life cycle of a particular moth. I only wish it reminded children that the Mexican jumping bean should not be bought and sold because the moth often does not survive.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a jumping bean in my first entomology course in college. It was really fun to watch it jump around. Mine never turned into a moth, but that would have been cool to have seen. This book did a good job of casually mixing in Spanish numbers, plants, animals, and other words.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Clever and charming. Discover how a Mexican jumping bean isn’t a bean at all in this delightful multi-layered book of life cycles, counting, Spanish vocabulary, and friendship. Fascinating and fun!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative book about jumping beans. Good as a read aloud.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that jumping beans were caterpillars.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Susan Middleton Elya in that some Spanish words are set in a majority English text

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- What is a "Mexican jumping bean" and why do they jump? This colorful book, with multiple Spanish vocab words, tells us the story.