Bean Boy

Name: Bean Boy
ISBN: 9780688037796

For a child navigating new challenges or feeling a bit lost, this story gently explores how kindness and resilience can help you find your way.

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About This Book

When your child is feeling overwhelmed by a new challenge or grappling with feelings of being alone, Bean Boy offers a gentle and empowering story. This quiet folktale follows an orphan boy who starts with nothing but a tin cup of beans. By asking for help and learning from the kind people he meets, he gradually learns to cook, build a shelter, and create a home for himself. It’s a comforting read for ages 6 to 9 that models resilience, problem-solving, and the power of community support. It beautifully illustrates how small, steady steps can lead to great independence and belonging.

Resilience & Perseverance Adventure Loneliness & Belonging Empathy & Kindness Financial Hardship Survival & Wilderness Self-Confidence & Identity Making Friends

What Parents Should Know

Sad ThemesMild

The main character is an orphan, but the story focuses on his hopeful journey, not his past loss.

Sensitive Topics

The book's premise is that the protagonist is an orphan. This implies parental death, but it is treated as a starting condition, not an explored trauma. The approach is entirely secular and metaphorical, focusing on the state of being alone and needing to find one's way. The resolution is concrete and very hopeful, emphasizing capability and community building over loss.