The Good Egg
#2 of 7 in The Food Group Series
What’s inside...
In this follow-up to Jory John and Pete Oswald’s popular picture book The Bad Seed, meet the next best thing: a very good egg, indeed! The good egg has been good for as long as he can remember. While the other eggs in his carton are kind of rotten, he always does the right, kind, and courteous thing. He is a verrrrrrry good egg indeed! Until one day he decides that enough is enough! He begins to crack (quite literally) from the pressure of always having to be grade-A perfect. This wonderful story reminds us of the importance of maintaining balance, taking care of ourselves, and fully accepting those we love (even their flaws).
Discussion points
How did the Good Egg feel when trying to make everything perfect, and have you ever felt the same?
What does the Good Egg learn about self-care, and why is it important to sometimes take care of ourselves?
Why do you think the Good Egg decided to return to the carton? What does this tell us about friendships and relationships?
How did the other eggs in the carton change during the story, and what does that teach us about influence and change?
What are some ways you can be kind to yourself, just like the Good Egg learned to be?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the importance of balance and self-care, reflecting on personal experiences to make the conversation relatable.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about times when they’ve felt pressure to be perfect, fostering an open dialogue about expectations and self-acceptance.
Link the story to real-life scenarios involving teamwork, friendship, and community to help your child connect with the Good Egg’s experiences.
Highlight how everyone makes mistakes and that’s okay. Discuss the growth and learning that can come from recognizing and accepting our imperfections.
Use positive reinforcement to applaud your child’s insights during the conversation, enhancing their confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of self-care
Explanation: In 'The Good Egg', the protagonist often feels the need to be perfect and fix everything, which leads to stress and anxiety. The character learns that caring for oneself is essential to maintain overall well-being.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the significance of taking breaks and engaging in activities they enjoy to manage stress, just like the Good Egg learns to do.
Example Lesson: Accepting imperfections
Explanation: The story highlights that everyone has flaws and that it's impossible for anyone, including the Good Egg, to be perfect all the time.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to accept their own imperfections and those of others, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding in social interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of setting boundaries
Explanation: The Good Egg experiences burnout from constantly trying to fix other's problems. Learning to set boundaries with others is crucial for the egg’s mental health.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of saying no and setting limits, which is essential for healthy relationships and personal well-being.
Example Lesson: Value of self-reflection
Explanation: The protagonist takes time off from being around others who were not following the rules, in order to self-reflect and recover from trying to be overly perfect.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of stepping back to evaluate their feelings and behaviors. Self-reflection can help them make better decisions and improve their emotional intelligence.