Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet, whimsical tale encourages empathy and kindness.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The story begins as an adorably nerdy chickpea introduces "the cool beans" -- friends with whom he's grown apart over the last year. He misses them, but he doesn't know what to do. He tries to be cool like them with sunglasses (too big), a slick hairdo (too slick), and adopting a swagger (that makes him trip). He still gets picked last, snorts when he laughs, and runs into things -- he declares himself an uncool "has-bean." He thinks this is just the way it's going to be until his very bad day is made pretty darn good by the empathy shown to him by his old friends. The "uncool" bean learns the secret to being cool -- and to being a good friend.
Is It Any Good?
This witty story, full of wonderful messages about the importance of friendship, compassion, and helping others, is a joy to read with little ones. Preschoolers will delight in The Cool Bean's hilarious pictures, older kids will relate to the story, and parents will appreciate author Jory John's lighthearted approach to teaching values and giggle at Pete Oswald's bean puns. The uncluttered spreads featuring sunglass-clad, guitar-playing, superhero-drawing beans reveal Oswald's skill at bringing out tons of personality in his bland subjects.
One small critique is that there's no apology from the cool beans for leaving out their old friend or reason given for why the cool beans choose that particular day to be kind and inclusive; some kids may wonder about this. Still, readers of all ages will adore this fun, heartfelt book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the main character feels left out in The Cool Bean. Have you ever felt that way? How did you handle it?
Why does the bean almost give up on ever being friends with the cool beans again? Have you ever felt really sad or like there was no hope that something would change for the better? What helps you feel better?
Talk about the bean's bad day. How does the kindness of the cool beans make him feel? What does he learn about what makes you cool?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Pete Oswald
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harper Collins Publishers
- Publication date : January 17, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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