Author: Jory John
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Ages: 4-8

The Cool Bean is a delightful tale about growing up and maybe growing apart from old friends. The narrator garbanzo bean used to hang out with the cool beans before they were cool but now he feels they are too cool for him. Will he be able to feel better and determine his own worth?

The Cool Bean by Jory John and Pete Oswald inner page

I really like the graphics created by Pete Oswald. They are inviting and colorful and they convey great expression. The art reflects the text well on all pages and the fonts and colors work with the narrative.

I am a fan of books that do not rhyme, and there are no worries about that in this story. The cadence still reads well and has good pacing and my kids were engaged throughout.

The Cool Bean is a wonderful book that kids will want to read over and over. And luckily for adults, it’s not a hardship. While kids will like the great graphics and relatable mishaps, adults will like underlying message of being yourself and recognizing your self worth.