Picture Book Review: Pea Soup Disaster, by Elaine Kaye

I don't review picture books very often, but I won this in a giveaway, and it's awfully cute, so here it is.

 

Title: Pea Soup Disaster: A Gregory Green Adventure

Author: Elaine Kaye

Publication Info: 2018; 25 pages

Source: I won this in a giveaway

Publisher’s Blurb:

Gregory Green loves his mom’s pea soup, but when he eats it at school, all of his friends make fun of how it looks. He doesn’t think it looks like bugs, and it tastes good! Then at recess, his friends run from him, screaming, “He’s a monster!” Gregory doesn’t know why his friends are being mean until he sees his skin is green. The teasing gets worse until an unlikely friend comes to the rescue—his teddy bear, Sammy. Sammy usually only comes to life for Gregory and his family, but Sammy has an important lesson to teach Gregory and his classmates.

**For kids ages 5-8**

My Review:

This is a simple, cute story to help children understand how much bullying hurts--and how important it is to stand up to it. All readers will understand that Gregory's little problem (so what's a bit of turning green among friends?) isn't his fault, and that his friends and classmates are mean to make fun. Many will also see the hurt done by making fun of what he eats for lunch, and may be able to draw some connections to their own behaviors.

The lesson here isn't subtle, but it is presented in a fun way, with the odd curse of the Greens, and the absurdity of everyone's calm acceptance of Gregory's color change. I also loved that the arrival of a walking and talking teddy bear didn't bother the kids at all. I guess they all knew that beloved bears and stuffies can come to their rescue!

The writing is very simple, and at times feels a little unpolished. But the story really works, and the plain narrative is right for the story, so I didn't feel that was a significant issue. I doubt any children will notice!

My Recommendation:

I think this is perfect for the target age range, kids from 5 to 8. They are old enough to understand the message and, sadly, old enough to need it, either for comfort from their own experiences as the victims of bullying and mockery, or as a reminder why they shouldn't bully.

Full Disclosure: I won a copy of Pea Soup Disaster in a giveaway, with no expectations or obligations attached for a positive or any other kind of review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and those of no one else. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."