The Smart Cookie: The Food Group, Book 5
By Angela Zimmerman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Charming read-aloud has messages about learning differences.
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What's the Story?
THE SMART COOKIE lives in a bakery on Sweet Street with a warm and supportive group of pastries. He has a good life and a great community. He didn't always feel so positive, though. He reflects on when he was a younger cookie, with no confidence in school -- always afraid to raise his hand in class and participate. Looking back on his school years, the Smart Cookie recalls a few cringe-worthy moments, like when he misspelled "dough" and accidentally added when he meant to subtract. He had a lot of anxiety and often stayed awake all night looking out the cookie jar window and worrying.
That is, until one day his teacher, Ms. Biscotti, gave his class a homework assignment that was to be "completely original." That creative freedom turns out to be the thing the Smart Cookie needed to gain confidence and think about which skills he really wanted to nurture. He turned in a poem based on how he'd been feeling called "My Crumby Days" and it was a great success with the teacher and his classmates. After that, school was different, as the Smart Cookie was finally able to realize his potential and gain the confidence needed to get there.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet tale is rife with puns and packed with positive messages about self-confidence and navigating learning differences. When The Smart Cookie reflects back on his school days, readers are invited along to join him on his evolution from a nervous cookie full of self-doubt to an exuberant learner and valued member of his bakery community. Kids of all ages can empathize with the Smart Cookie's plight and will cheer for him once he gains the confidence he needs to shine in the world.
As always. Pete Oswald's illustrations are delightful and full of life and whimsy, and perfectly complement Jory John's silly -- but heartfelt -- writing. This writer/illustrator duo again strikes the right balance of engaging yet intentional storytelling that can help kids understand and relate to some of life's challenges. The Smart Cookie can help kids confront some of the pressures of early school years through memorable characters and an amusing and ultimately rewarding tale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the main character's sense of accomplishment when he discovers his passion for writing in The Smart Cookie. Why do you think writing the poem gave him confidence?
What are your favorite subjects in school? Have you ever been assigned a project or activity that gave you confidence you didn't know you had? What do you do when you struggle with a task?
Have you read any of John Jory and Pete Oswald's other books? If so, what are some of the similarities in their stories? What other books about learning have you read? What about movies or TV shows?
Book Details
- Author: Jory John
- Illustrator: Pete Oswald
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Book Characters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date: November 2, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: November 29, 2023
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