The Cool Bean Makes a Splash

March 2, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-John's delightful bean is back in this title for developing readers. Bean is at the pool happily treading water when he sees the "cool beans" come by. They are quite an exciting sight as they leap off diving boards and make a wave so large they can surf on it. Determined to be more like the cool beans, Bean spies a large water slide and is determined to ride it. When Bean's nerve fails him, he receives help from an unexpected place. John's humor shines through, and Oswald's bright colors and the character's expressions make this a must-have for early reader collections. VERDICT Recommended for all early reader collections, especially ones with a need for humorous selections.-Maria Graybosch

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March 15, 2024
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava...this time at the pool. Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: "It's not as scary if you go with friends!" As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, "They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support." Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that "there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They're always there when I need them." The beany bonhomie doesn't end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool ("3 INCHES. NO DIVING") for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald's immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast. Another quirky take on the series theme that it's cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)

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