Author Profile
Jory John
21 Books
Jory John is a New York Times bestselling author renowned for his humorous and relatable children's books. He is best known for his wildly popular 'Food Group' picture book series, which features acclaimed titles like 'The Sour Grape', as well as his collaborative middle-grade series 'The Terrible Two'. Through his witty writing, John frequently explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and everyday social challenges in a way that resonates with both kids and adults.
Disaster just struck the biggest holiday party of the year! Every December, the Big Cheese hosts the most spectacular, jaw-dropping celebration in town. You know the kind, with flashy outfits, huge gifts, and booming music. It is the party everyone talks about. But this season, with only hours left before the guests arrive, everything falls apart. With no backup plan, the Big Cheese has to do something completely unexpected: ask for help. Can a party still be wonderful if it is not perfectly grand? Join your favorite cheesy friend on a hilarious holiday adventure. You will discover that sometimes the best celebrations are not about the shiny decorations or the loud music. They are about coming together and sharing the season with the friends who matter most.
6-8 Years
51 Pages
Meet a seed who is bad. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. Just how bad is he? Well, he has a terrible temper, awful manners, and a seriously bad attitude. He cuts in line every single time, stares at everybody, and absolutely never listens to the rules. As far back as he can remember, he has always been this way.
But one day, this mischievous little seed makes a big decision. He realizes that he does not want to be bad anymore. He actually wants to be happy! Changing your ways is not easy, especially when everyone is used to you being a troublemaker, but he is determined to try his best.
This funny and heartwarming story shows that it is never too late to turn over a new leaf. With a little bit of effort and a lot of willpower, positive change is possible for each and every one of us.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
42 Pages
The annual holiday gift exchange is supposed to be fun, but the Cool Bean is completely stressing out! He just pulled a name out of the hat, and he got Beanadette. She is the absolute coolest of all the cool beans, and she expects a truly amazing present. Now the pressure is on. How do you find the perfect gift for someone who already has everything figured out? As the big holiday party gets closer and closer, the Cool Bean frantically searches for a present that will impress her. You will follow along on his hilarious quest to find the ultimate cool gift before time runs out. In the end, you might just discover that the best presents do not come from a fancy store. Sometimes, a gift from the heart is the coolest thing of all.
6-8 Years
Halloween is absolutely the Bad Seed's favorite holiday of the entire year. He loves the decorations, the candy, and most of all, the costumes. But this year, there is a huge problem. He cannot find a show-stopping costume for the big night, and time is running out! What is a seed to do when his outfit isn't perfect? Postpone trick-or-treating for everyone in town, of course! As the spooky night gets closer, the Bad Seed is in a panic. Can he manage to get a brilliant costume together in time, or will he return to his old, baaaaaaaaad ways and ruin the fun for everyone else? You will laugh out loud as you follow his hilarious attempts to solve his costume crisis. This charming and funny adventure shows that sometimes the best part of a holiday is just enjoying it with your friends, no matter what you are wearing.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Get ready for a hilarious egg hunt adventure that will have you laughing out loud! The Great Eggscape is when the Good Egg and his pals escape their carton and drop into the store for a morning of fun. Well, almost everybody. Shel is not a huge fan of group activities, especially when he is made to be It for a game of hide and seek. Nevertheless, Shel does not want to let his friends down, so he reluctantly plays along. But after a morning of hiding and seeking, somebody is still missing! Will the dozen friends ever be reunited? Jump into this playful story that reminds us to break out of our shells and help our friends in need. You will love searching for the hidden eggs and giggling at the silly antics of this unforgettable carton of friends.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Bear is completely, totally, and utterly exhausted. He has been waiting for months to go to sleep, and his bed is finally ready. All he wants is to close his eyes and catch some peaceful dreams. But right next door lives Duck. Duck is wide awake. In fact, Duck has never been more awake in his entire life, and he really wants to hang out with his best neighbor. What follows is a laugh-out-loud battle of wills between a grumpy, sleepy bear and a highly energetic duck who simply refuses to take a hint. As Duck tries increasingly silly ways to get Bear's attention, you will find yourself giggling at the hilarious chaos. It is the perfect funny bedtime read for anyone who has ever felt a little too awake at the wrong time.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Bear has perfectly planned a quiet, relaxing morning all by himself. He has his favorite chair, his tea, and a good book ready to go. But his extremely enthusiastic neighbor, Duck, has a completely different plan. Duck wants to take a long morning stroll, and he insists that Bear must come along. Duck also really, really wants to make sure Bear likes him. As Duck asks endless questions to prove their friendship, Bear just tries to find a single moment of peace. You will laugh out loud as Duck's energetic chatting meets Bear's grumpy silence. This funny story perfectly captures what happens when two very different personalities try to spend the day together. It shows that even when your friends drive you completely crazy, they are still your friends in the end.
6-8 Years
37 Pages
Meet the Big Cheese. He is the absolute best at everything he does, and he is definitely not shy about letting everyone know it! Whether it is sports, games, or just being awesome, the Big Cheese always expects to take home the first-place ribbon. When the annual Cheese-cathlon rolls around, he is completely prepared to win it all, just like he always does. But this year, there is a quiet new kid in town named Wedge Wedgeman. When Wedge suddenly comes out on top, the Big Cheese is shocked! What happens when the number one winner suddenly has to settle for second place? Packed with hilarious puns and expressive illustrations, this funny and empowering story serves up a great lesson about sportsmanship. Discover how a little slice of humility can help the Big Cheese realize that being a good friend is much better than always being the best!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Meet the good egg. He is a very, very good egg indeed! He always rescues cats, paints houses, and helps anyone in need. But trying to be so perfectly good is exhausting, especially when you live in a carton with eleven other eggs who are plain old rotten. While the rest of the dozen behave badly, the good egg tries to keep the peace, until the pressure becomes too much and his shell literally starts to crack! Deciding that enough is enough, the good egg packs his bags and sets off on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he learns that he does not have to be Grade A perfect all the time. This funny and charming story is a wonderful reminder about the importance of balance, taking care of yourself, and loving your friends and family even if they are a little bit rotten sometimes!
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Everyone in town knows all about the cool beans. They walk with swagger, wear sunglasses, and are just unbelievably cool. Watching them from the sidelines is a regular, completely uncool has-bean. He used to be friends with them back in the old pod, but now he feels left behind. No matter how hard he tries to comb his hair or change his walk, he just cannot figure out how to fit in anymore. But one afternoon, when he drops his lunch and feels totally embarrassed, the coolest beans in school step up to help him. In this laugh-out-loud story, you will discover that true coolness has nothing to do with how you look or dress. You will learn that the absolutely coolest thing you can ever be is kind.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
42 Pages
William is a dinosaur, and if there is one thing William knows for sure, it is that dinosaurs are meant to ROAR. He roars at the bus stop, he roars at the park, and he definitely roars at the farm. To William, every moment is a great moment for a massive, toothy shout—even if the neighbors find it a little bit much.
But then the unthinkable happens: William gets a sore throat. The doctor gives him the worst news a dinosaur could hear—no roaring for an entire week! Can a boisterous lizard like William keep his cool when his favorite thing is off-limits? This side-splitting story is a celebration of being exactly who you are, even when life tries to quiet you down. Get ready to find your own inner roar!
6-8 Years
35 Pages
The big talent show is finally here, and the Good Egg cannot wait to watch! There is just one small problem: he does not actually have a talent to perform. While all the other foods are practicing their amazing routines, the Good Egg decides he will just sit quietly in the audience and cheer them on. But when the show begins, things start to go wrong on stage. Suddenly, his friends really need some help! The Good Egg jumps into action to save the performances. Along the way, you will see how stepping up to help others might just be the greatest talent of all. This fun, easy-to-read story shows that you do not need a flashy act to be a star. Sometimes, simply being a kind and helpful friend deserves the biggest applause.
6-8 Years
35 Pages
Meet the Couch Potato. He has the absolute perfect life set up right in his living room. His incredibly comfortable couch cushion has everything he could ever need just an arm's reach away. With a wall of glowing screens and all his favorite snacks, he never actually has to stand up. But one day, disaster strikes: the power completely goes out! Suddenly, the Couch Potato is forced to peel himself off his beloved cushions and venture out into the scary, bright outdoors. As he steps out into the sunshine, you will join him on an unexpected adventure through the neighborhood. This hilarious story will show you that while watching your favorite shows is great, stepping outside to feel the fresh air and hear the birds singing might be even better.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
The Bad Seed is actually having a really great day! He just visited the library and checked out the most amazing book ever written. He loves reading it so much that he reads it over and over again. But then he gets some terrible news. His library time is up, and he has to bring the book back so another seed can read it. The Bad Seed does not want to share. He wants to keep his new favorite story forever! Will he return to his sneaky, bad habits and hide the book? Or will he do the right thing and share the joy of reading? Join this famously grumpy seed as he wrestles with a very tough choice. This delightful story helps you explore why sharing can be hard, but returning library books is always the smart thing to do.
6-8 Years
35 Pages
Meet a sweet little cookie who has never really felt like a smart cookie. No matter how hard she tries at school, she always feels a step behind the clever cupcakes and the brilliant rolls in the bakery. While everyone else seems to have all the right answers, she struggles to find her place. But when her teacher gives the class a special assignment to create something completely original, this cookie is forced to think outside the jar! With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of newfound confidence, she discovers that getting perfect scores is not the only way to be intelligent. You will cheer for this lovable treat as she learns that everyone has their own unique talents waiting to be uncovered. This funny and heartwarming story proves that true brilliance comes in all shapes, sizes, and flavors!
6-8 Years
Edward the giraffe cannot stand his own neck. It is entirely too long, incredibly bendy, and completely ridiculous. Every time he looks around, he sees other animals with normal, sensible necks. Edward has tried absolutely everything to hide it. He has dressed it up with scarves, hidden behind large bushes, and stood very still in the trees, but nothing works. Just when he is ready to give up and hide forever, a very slow turtle ambles by with a different perspective. You will laugh out loud as Edward tries his hilarious disguises, and you will cheer when he finally learns to appreciate the exact thing that makes him different. This funny and sweet story shows that the parts of yourself you worry about the most might actually be your greatest strengths.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
The Humble Pie is perfectly happy staying in the shadows. While others love the spotlight, this pie prefers to say, Aw, shucks! and let everyone else take the credit. But when a big school project pairs the Humble Pie with the boisterous Jake the Cake, things start to get a little messy.
Being quiet is fine, but the Humble Pie soon learns that if you don't speak up, your best ideas might never be heard. This witty and empowering tale from the Food Group series shows that finding your voice is just as important as being modest. Through laughs and lessons, you will see how letting yourself shine can be the sweetest treat of all. It is time for the Humble Pie to step up and take the cake!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
43 Pages
Have you ever held a grudge? The Sour Grape sure has! In fact, this grape holds grudges against everyone for everything. If you show up late, you get a grudge. If you do not return a library book, you get a grudge. But when a friend accidentally does something that makes the Sour Grape realize what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a grudge, everything changes. Suddenly, life does not seem so sweet when you are always mad. Can a little bit of forgiveness and a lot of gratitude turn this sour fruit into a sweet friend? Jump into this hilarious and heartwarming story to find out how letting go of anger can make your whole world brighter.
6-8 Years
Life as a pampered house cat is incredibly difficult. You might think lying around all day sounds easy, but you have no idea how stressful it gets. First of all, the warm sunbeam on the floor keeps moving away just as you get comfortable. Then, someone decides to serve you dry food instead of the delicious wet food you clearly deserve. And do not even mention the vacuum cleaner, the loudest and most terrifying monster in the house! Through hilarious complaints and grumpy observations, this funny feline shares the daily struggles of a perfectly comfortable life. Get ready to laugh out loud at the everyday annoyances that make being a cat so incredibly exhausting. You might just recognize some of your own grumpy moments in this delightfully cranky companion.
6-8 Years
26 Pages
Floyd Peterson has a serious problem. Yes, he has shaggy purple fur, claws, and rather pointy teeth. He even lives in a closet. But he really wishes everyone would stop calling him a monster! It hurts his feelings when people run away screaming before they even say hello. Floyd wants you to know that he is so much more than his scary appearance. He likes normal things, and he just wants to be treated like a regular guy. In this laugh-out-loud story, you will follow Floyd as he tries to convince the world to look past his pointy teeth and see the friendly personality underneath. It is a hilarious reminder that you should never judge someone by how they look, and that everyone deserves a chance to show who they really are.
6-8 Years
22 Pages
Life in Antarctica is definitely not a snowy paradise. Just ask Mortimer. He is a small penguin with some very big complaints. First of all, the wind is freezing cold. Second, the ocean is full of hungry predators waiting to eat him. And to make matters worse, every single penguin in the entire colony looks exactly the same! How are you supposed to find your own mother in a crowd of identical birds? Mortimer hilariously points out every single uncomfortable, annoying, and frustrating thing about being a penguin. As you listen to his grumpy list of daily struggles, you will not be able to stop laughing. But even the grumpiest penguin might just learn to appreciate his icy home. This hilarious story proves that everyone gets a little cranky sometimes.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
