The Good Egg

Book review by Angela Zimmerman, Common Sense Media
The Good Egg Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

Witty, delightful tale encourages self-care and acceptance.

Jory John Picture Book 2019
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Good Egg is by Jory John and illustrator Pete Oswald, the duo behind the best-selling picture book The Bad Seed. It's a lighthearted, funny tale packed with positive messages about self-care and acceptance in a way that preschoolers will understand and even older kids will enjoy. The story is narrated by the Good Egg, whose kind and generous acts endlessly conflict with the "bad" eggs he shares his carton with. The other 11 eggs are destructive and naughty, fighting among themselves, breaking things, picking on the Good Egg (one page shows a "kick me" sign taped to his back), and there are seemingly no consequences to their bad behavior -- although they (mostly) straighten up by the end. The Good Egg gets so stressed out by his carton-mates that he ends up literally "cracking up," but his adventure of self-discovery will give parents a great opportunity to talk to young kids about the importance of prioritizing their own emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Community Reviews

nikkijonesx
nikkijonesx Adult
April 10, 2020
age 9+

Selfish message amidst cute illustrations

The Good Egg is a nicely illustrated book. I bought it from my son’s scholastic catalog without being able to read the inside, and I will be giving this book away. The message of putting yourself before others is not what I want to teach my kids. The extreme bad behavior of the other eggs is unrealistic, and the author has the Good Egg deal with that behavior by going on a solo journey of “self care,” including going to a spa and “breathing in and out.” That type of “self care” doesn’t work in real life, so why teach it to children, furthering the selfish “world-revolves-around-me” mentality of youth today. Seriously disappointed in the message this book sends to young children - do a lot of superficial, selfish tasks, and you’ll feel better about everyone else’s bad behavior.
Elizabeth Levett Fortier
Elizabeth Levett Fortier Adult
February 26, 2020
age 13+

Chuck it with Giving Tree and Rainbow Fish

I'm sorry. Really. But I'm a kindergarten teacher with 30 years in the inner city. The good egg worries about the behavior of others, goes off on a journey of self-discovery and comes home to his eleven carton mates. In the end, he allows them to bully and mistreat him and blithely accepts their behavior. Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds. Nope, sorry, I'm not teaching young children to accept the bullying behavior of others. Had to have a good conversation with them after reading. Not for my collection. The author is clever, puns are cute for big kids or adults - but over the children's heads. The art work is nice - my kids liked the drawing of underwear on the final page - again, though, this amounts to harassment and we all know better than to enable that.
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What's the Story?

THE GOOD EGG is a very good egg. The other 11 eggs in his carton? Not so much. The Good Egg is the only one keeping his friends in line when they misbehave. One day, he's finally had enough and sets out on an adventure of self-discovery. He roams the land, grows a beard, finds ritual and relaxation, and learns enough about himself -- and others -- to finally find happiness and acceptance.

Is It Any Good?

This witty adventure is full of great messages about the importance of balance, self-care, and acceptance of self and others. The Good Egg is a delightful romp for preschoolers and even older kids, who will love Pete Oswald's rich illustrations and Jory John's wise story. The stress that the Good Egg experiences because of others' behavior and things he has no control over -- and the methods he learns to use to heal and prioritize his own well-being (courage, contemplation, leisure, meditation) -- are wrapped in color and whimsy, making it appealing and relatable for young kids. Every page is fun and playful, and the overall message is a valuable one for readers of any age.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the main character feels like an outsider in The Good Egg. Have you ever felt like the different one in a group? How did you handle that?

  • Why does the Good Egg get so stressed out when the other eggs misbehave? Do you get bothered by the activity and energy of those around you? What helps you keep calm and not get upset?

  • Talk about the Good Egg's adventure after he leaves the carton. What happens during his journey that helps him heal?

Book Details

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