The Cool Bean

The Food Group #3

by Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool.

And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . .

Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Humor, School, Storytime

33 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2019

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

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about cliques and being in one or not in one and feeling alone. Everyone in the school knows the cool beans, they are the coolest beans around. But butterbean just isn’t cool and he used to hang in the same pod with the cool beans only a year ago. Now, he feels lonely and different. But they each show him a kindness and he realizes they are still friends. He begins to find himself.

I am a huge fan of Jory John and his work. I love this book. Super Fun.

The nephew thought this was a cool book too. He loved the cool beans and he thought this was the bees knees.(my phrase) He thought butterbeans tie was cute too. He gave this book 4 stars for being cool.

[Dez the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be kind is to be cool.

An engaging and entertaining way to teach your child about kindness! Absolutely wonderful book to read to your wee ones.

[Shaghayegh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"اتفاقات آن روز همه چیز را تغییر داد . آن روز اگر بخاطر مهربانی چند تا لوبیای باحال نبود ، همه چیز واقعا می توانست بد تمام شود."
هر جلد این مجموعه مثل یه کلاس درس درست حسابی و بحث برانگیز میمونه .
کیف میکنم از این که به موضوعات مهمی پرداختن . چیزهایی که هنوزم دغدغه مون هست و به عنوان یه انسان بالغ ، درشون لنگ میزنم .

تاثیرگذاری هر حرکت کوچیکمون روی زندگی آدم ها رو نباید نادیده گرفت . سکوتمون تو این روزهای سخت ، باعث میشه آدم های بیشتری از بینمون برن .
و این تلخی بی پایان باشه .
اگر آدم ها می دونستن هر قدم کوچکشون چقدر میتونه نجات بخش زندگی بقیه باشه ، آیا باز هم مثل سابق رفتار میکردن ؟
ای کاش سوپرپاوری داشتم و میتونستم چنین چیزی رو بهشون نشون بدم . اون وقت بود که پی میبردم انسانیت پر کشیده یا هنوزم بهش امیدی هست.

[Dream.M · Rating 4 out of 5]

خیلی خوشحالم دارم کتاب کودک میخونم ، باور کنید کلی چیز یاد گرفتم توی این دو روز .
خب! این کتابم بهم یاد داد " بهترین راه برای باحال بودن، مهربونی کردنه"

[Heba · Rating 4 out of 5]

إنها لفتة صغيرة ولكنها تعني كل شيء....
أجل عندما تأتي في الوقت المناسب فتنفض الغبار عن روح أحدهم ، تساعده على النهوض من السقوط ، تشير له إلى الطريق....كل ذلك بلا كلمات...لن تحتاج إليها لأن تلك اللفتة الصغيرة قد قالت كل شيء....🤍
قصة قصيرة رائعة ، لو أن رسالتها تصل إلي الأطفال لكانوا يوماً من البالغين الذين يمكن أن نطلق عليهم أناس لطفاء حقاً...
هل اخبرتكم بأنني أحببت هذه القصة الجميلة جدااا 😍

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is cool to be kind...

Such a simple message, but soooooo true. I have to admit that I have yet to read the the first two books from Jory John. However, after reading The Cool Bean , I am definitely going to check out the other two books in the series.

Through relatable language and great illustrations, John manages to instill in our young ones the importance of kindness. Kindness does not dress cool. Kindness does not have a swagger. Kindness often comes out of nowhere and does not seek acknowledgement. Kindness is something that should be shared with all those we come in contact with.

As we grow older, we often forget that kindness is something that we can give freely; something that is always accepted.

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my daughter’s bedtime. It’s a great book for kids. It’s good when the cool kids help the uncool ones. The cool kids are being looked up to and they earn bonus points for helping others. My toddler likes the beach, swings, sunglasses, etc.

Read from kindle unlimited.

[Fatma Al Zahraa Yehia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard a lot about this story, or the series, and sure it deserves all that accolade.

As a shy girl, I had always felt inferior to the popular kids in my school. I had always imagined them as arrogant human beings who wouldn't consider talking to an introverted and ungifted girl like me.

That is what happened to the cool bean in this lovely story. The "cool bean" assumed that it wouldn't fit in with her famous, rich and "cool" friends. It was just like me and needed the "push of confidence" from someone who could assure her/him that it is not less than anyone else.

The story is one of the few writings that dealt differently with the issue of lack of confidence in kids and sweetly mixed that with how kindness is amazingly able to change us into the best version of ourselves.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute story about kindness.

This is a great way to teach tiny humans how small acts of kindness can make big differences.

[Emerson‌●ω● · Rating 4 out of 5]

گوگولی😢✨

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books. The Cool Bean by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald, is book #5 (of 20) of 2020. This is the third in a series, including The Bad Seed and the Good Egg (one of last year's nominees), all of which have been widely popular.

Hank (14): 5 stars. Unexpected help from Cool Bean. Unexpected coolness from Cool Bean. [Hank was so happy to see this book on the stack, as he immediately recognized it as part of the series, and recalled The Good Egg, which he also loves.]

Harry (15): 3.5 or 4 stars. Being kind can turn someone’s life around and that kindness can be spread. Being kind is to be cool.

Tara: 3 stars. Kind of cute. But why did the Cool Bean wait so long to be nice again? Overall I like it.

Dave: 2.5 stars. I apparently am alone in the world in not being a fan of Oswald’s cute creature digital art, though I do like the amount of white space on the page that lets the characters breathe. The story is not remarkable in the least: To be truly cool is not be nice, and not be a bully. Uh, okay, the typical picture book theme.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annual Goodreads Choice Awards reading project: Read all the Picture Book nominees! (5 of 15)

Know what's not cool? A lot of bad and lazy bean puns.

[itselv:#&309;]

كتاب عن الأشخاص الرائعين، وكيف تتمنى لو كنت أحدهم، لتعرف في النهاية أن الروعة لا تعني أن تكون مسيئًا للآخرين أو غير مبالٍ بهم، وليست الروعة بالمظاهر، وإنما بالتصرفات الجيدة والإحسان إلى الآخرين. أوصِلت المعلومة للأطفال بشكل مثالي. أتمنى لو تتم ترجمتها للعربية، أو لو تتوفر كتب كهذه للأطفال عندنا.
هذا الكتاب من تلك الكتب التي أتمنى لو قرأتها في صغري، كان ليختصر عليَّ الكثير (:

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook via BookBeat UK!

I would happily read this to anyone in a heartbeat, whether the physical or audio editions. The quick tale about a bean who wants to be like their friends, however, lots of mishaps happen along the way. Good messages about being kind and acceptance here!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed The Bad Seed and The Good Egg, I of course wanted to take a look at The Cool Bean, the latest food-based offering from Jory John and Pete Oswald.

It's a cute story about a bean (a garbanzo, if I'm not mistaken) who thinks his friends have grown up and gotten cool, leaving him as little more than a "has-bean". But he soon realizes that his friends haven't changed in the ways that really matter, and maybe there's room in the pod for a bean who's cool in other ways.

I like the sophistication of the idea here. It isn't that the other beans get cool and snooty. It's all about the little chickpea and his perception of what's going on. His self-esteem takes a hit because he thinks he's not cool like the other beans. He isolates himself, rather than being ostracized by the others. So it's up to him to shift the way he looks at things for the story to come to its conclusion.

The illustrations are cute, just as they are in the other books in the series. I particularly like the bean's bowtie.

Overall, this is a fairly strong picture book about being yourself... and that's actually how you become a really cool bean.

Quotable moment:

[Janet C-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this children’s book from start to finish. The story is engaging. It has a message for young children about self-perception. The illustrations are unique and humorous. I look forward to reading other books from the series, and sharing them with the kiddies in my life.
* I just realized I read this because it was a GoodReads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Books for 2020. I think the book deserves the recognition.

[Essareh · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتاب ناز و گوگولی دربارهٔ ارتباط و اعتمادبه‌نفس و دوستی و چیزهای دیگه.

پ‌ن: ترحمهٔ آناهیتا حضرتی

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about friendship and what is important. Jory John is doing a really good job with these books (The Bad Seed and The Good Egg) and the illustrations are perfect.

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You need a hand?"
"Yes, please"
Now that's cool.

What a cool little book. I am so happy this series exists.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 2 out of 5]

*read for free with Kindle Unlimited *
Artwork: 4 stars 🌟
Story: 2 stars 🌟

Cute story for the little ones I guess but this was just "okay" *shrugs*

Side note: bit weird that only books 1 and 3 are on kindle Unlimited (as of 5.25.2021).. just giving everyone a heads-up

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in grandma reads session.

This little bean teaches about cool versus uncool, and that it may not be all you think. . . .and that the coolest people of all are the kindest ones, the ones who have your back and support you. That the main ingredient of cool is confidence.

An interesting side discussion of "swagger" and what constitutes it was had by all, complete with demonstrations. Worth the cost of the ticket, that!

[محمد شکری · Rating 5 out of 5]

معادل‌سازی برای نام عنوان کمی دشوار است: «بین» هم به معنای لوبیاست و هم اسم عام حبوبات است. اینجا معنای دوم را دارد زیرا (همان‌طور که از عکس جلد معلوم است) راوی یک نخود است اما دوستانش لوبیا هستند! نخود ماجرای ما می‌خواهد مثل دوستانش «باحال» باشد. او سه دوست دیگر دارد که از کودکی با هم بودند اما کم‌کم از آن‌ها جدا می‌شود و همیشه فکر می‌کند آن‌ها چقدر باحال‌تر از اویند: عینک‌های آفتابی‌شان، لباس‌هایشان، قیافه و مهارت‌هایشان همه خاص است و برای همین همه آن‌ها را می‌شناسند و دوست دارند شبیه آنها باشند. اما نخود داستان ما عینکی دارد که برایش بزرگ‌ است، لباس‌هایش کمی کوچکند و موهایش اصلا لخت نیست. نه بسکتبالش خوب است و نه نقاشی‌اش و نه مدل حرف زدنش. نه ... نخود می‌داند که اصلا باحال نیست و نمی‌تواند باشد
تا اینکه یک روز زنگ ناهار ظرف غذایش می‌افتد زمین و در عین شرمندگی از چلمنی خودش می‌بیند که یکی از سه لوبیای باحال نشست و بدون اینکه حرفی بزند با لبخندی به او کمک کرد تا خراب‌کاری‌اش را جمع و جور کند. بعد سر زنگ ورزش وقتی زمین خورد دومین لوبیای باحال می‌آید تا بدون زدن حرفی به او کمک کند. سر زنگ ادبیات هم وقتی معلم اسمش را می‌خواند تا ادامه متن را بخواند لوبیای سوم به او کمک می‌کند تا بفهمد از کجا باید بخواند
نخود داستان ما تازه می‌فهمد که باحال بودن به عینک و لباس و ژل مو نیست و از آن روز تصمیم می‌گیرد خودش هم باحال باشد: به دیگران کمک می‌کند و به جمع سه لوبیای باحال برمی‌گردد

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bean Jr., let's call him, ponders the fact that he isn't cool, but his friends are because one plays the guitar, one jumps the highest, etc. On the other hand, Bean Jr. never became "cool". I think I have a hard time getting into this series because I never prescribed to what society thinks is "cool". Being cool is relevant. For example, comic books were not "cool" to outsiders, but very cool to those who likes them. Fast forward to the end of the twentieth century and throughout the twenty-first century and comic books are now cool to a majority of society.

This series works in absolutes: you are either a bad seed or a good seed, a bad egg or a good egg, or a cool bean or an uncool bean. I don't believe that's how it ought to work and I certainly wouldn't encourage a child to think that way.

The Cool Bean's saving grace is that the cool people helped out Bean Jr. when he needed help. Again, it seems like society places unrealistic pressures on "cool beans". Many of them don't ask for it. It doesn't change them. They are still willing to help out an old friend like Bean Jr.

[dndgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, the bean related puns and just how cool those cool beans were won me over.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the same folks who brought us The Bad Seed and The Good Egg comes The Cool Bean. This addition to the anthropomorphic food books of Jory John falls more in line with the former rather than the latter because, well, it is good. It's a relatable and positive story for kids that has colorful art, the right amount of puns, and a lesson worth learning--even if it is taught by a garbanzo bean.

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming illustrations and thoughtful story I've come to expect from this series of books that includes The Bad Seed and The Good Egg. A good mix of puns for kids -- beandages for a scrape, Ray-Bean sun shades -- and for older readers -- The Great Gatsbean and Leguma Beach are two of my favorites. Encourages the reader that kindness is the coolest, but when this message is wrapped up in a story with characters and charm, it escapes the trap of "kindness porn" that is glutting the market these days.

[Tara Strosnider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool.

And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . .

Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done.

Cute picture book with the message it's cooler to be kind

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little Garbanzo sees the cool beans as different from himself, until he notices that what makes them cool is how nice they are to their fellow beans.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of puns, silliness, and a great message that "coolness" is not about what you wear or how you look, but about treating others with kindness and respect. This one's a lot of fun.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyful and colorful story of a young bean’s transformation from being uncool to gaining confidence with a little attention, encouragement, and kindness.