Book Review: The Cool Bean

The Cool Bean is the third picture book from the Jory John and Pete Oswald combination.  Following the format of their prior titles, The Good Egg and The Bad Seed, the book uses a blend of comedy, charm and fun characters to deliver an important message for children 4 - 8 years old.

In the story, we meet three coooool beans...and one pretty uncool bean.  Although the beans started out close, they had started to grow apart thanks to different interests.  Day after day, the one bean tried his best to fit, but he just never could reach the coolness of the other three.  But in his most challenging moments, he learns that the real definition of being cool is kindness.

Kindness, Friendship

The dominant theme of The Cool Bean is based around being kind to one another.  This important lesson is presented in the perfect format for preschool and elementary children thanks to its appealing characters and fun illustrations.

Throughout the story we see the one uncool bean trying his best to be cool.  He changes the way he dresses, tries to strut around and show off his swagger.  Yet every time he tries to be different, it never quite works the way he expected.

But when the uncool bean is the most down on his luck, he finds that the three cool beans are always there to pick him up.  In the end, its showing genuine kindness that really makes you cool.

Changing Relationships

A less direct theme of the book is the dynamic of ever-changing relationships.  In the early parts of the book, we learn that the three cool beans used to be really close with the other bean.  But over time, their relationship changed as they began to go their own way.

While the four ultimate form a strong bond by the book's end, the change in their relationship was an element that prompted some questions from my daughter.  Even though the friends had drifted apart because of different interests, they still held a deeper connection that led to their renewed friendship.

Comedy

It wouldn't be a Jory John and Pete Oswald book without featuring comedy as a focal point.  The combination of hilarious bean puns and amusing characters are great for keeping the attention of younger audiences (as well as parents).

Although there are the obvious sections in the book that are meant to be funny, you should also pay close attention to the detail in the illustrations as well.  There are a number of more subtle elements from Pete Oswald that are sprinkled in throughout that will have you laughing.

We can't say enough good things about all three books in the Jory John and Pete Oswald collection.  The Good Egg, The Bad Seed and The Cool Bean all use humor and fun characters to teach valuable lessons.

Thanks to the success of the first two titles, The Cool Bean was an instant New York Times Best Seller, in addition to an Amazon Best Book of the Month for December '19.