There is a unique, brilliant magic in a children’s book that makes toddlers giggle uncontrollably while giving adults a genuinely witty, relatable story to read at bedtime. Jory John is a master of this craft. A multi-time New York Times bestselling author and E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient, John is celebrated for his sharp dialogue, deadpan humor, and lovable, deeply flawed characters who navigate big feelings like anxiety, grumpiness, and the pressure to be perfect.
His extensive collection of picture books and early chapter books is neatly organized into beloved companion series. Below is the ultimate roadmap to reading Jory John’s books in order.
1. The Food Group Series (Picture Books)
This wildly popular, smash-hit series features charmingly illustrated culinary characters dealing with everyday social-emotional challenges, from behavioral peer pressure and self-care to severe performance anxiety. While they are companion books and can be read as standalones, reading them in publication order lets kids spot fun background cameos!
1. The Bad Seed (2017)
The book that launched a global phenomenon. The Bad Seed has a bad attitude, terrible manners, and an completely awful reputation. But through a witty, internal monologue, he explains the tragic backstory of how he became a bad seed—and shares his inspiring decision that it’s never too late to try to be happy and good.
2. The Good Egg (2019)
Meet the Good Egg. He is a verifiably excellent egg who rescues rescue-puppies, carries groceries, and paints your house. However, the pressure of trying to keep his eleven chaotic, misbehaved carton-mates in line causes his shell to literally crack from stress, forcing him to learn a valuable lesson about self-care and boundaries.
3. The Cool Bean (2019)
In a hilarious elementary-school-style setup, a completely un-cool bean watches his former pod-mates grow up to become the ultra-stylish, sunglasses-wearing “Cool Beans.” This heartwarming story tackles the anxiety of fitting in and reveals that true coolness comes from simple acts of kindness.
4. The Couch Potato (2020)
The Couch Potato has everything he could ever want right on his comfy sofa: pixel-perfect screens, automated snack dispensers, and remote controls for everything. But when a sudden, neighborhood-wide power outage forces him outside, he remembers how beautiful and vibrant the real world can be.
5. The Smart Cookie (2021)
The Smart Cookie has always felt like she didn’t quite measure up to the other brilliant treats in the bakery, continuously freezing up during school exams. Through a creative school assignment, she discovers that intelligence isn’t just about getting a perfect test score—it’s about finding your own unique spark.
6. The Sour Grape (2022)
The Sour Grape holds a massive grudge. If someone steps on his toe or forgets his birthday, he becomes permanently bitter. When a massive misunderstanding makes him realize how easy it is to make a mistake, he trades his sour attitude for sweet, healing forgiveness.
7. The Big Cheese (2023)
The Big Cheese is completely used to winning everything and being the absolute center of attention. But when an unexpected newcomer wins the town’s annual contest, the Big Cheese faces his ultimate challenge: learning how to lose gracefully and appreciate others.
8. The Cool Bean Makes a Splash (2024)
The Cool Beans return for a beach-side adventure! When our favorite un-cool bean faces severe performance anxiety about learning how to swim in front of his peers, the cool beans step up to show him that everyone learns at their own pace.
9. The Sweet Crepe (2025)
This effervescent installment follows a delightful crepe who tries to make everyone around her perfectly happy, often bending over backward until she’s completely twisted up. She must learn that you can be sweet without entirely flattening your own needs.
2. Bear and Duck Series
Brought to life by the brilliant illustrations of Benji Davies, this laugh-out-loud picture-book series explores the classic, high-friction dynamic between a giant, stoic, sleep-deprived Bear and his hyperactive, relentlessly enthusiastic next-door neighbor, Duck.
1. Goodnight Already! (2014)
Bear is absolutely exhausted and cannot wait to sleep for a week. Duck is completely awake and desperately wants a best-friend hangout. What follows is a brilliant, persistent sequence of nighttime disruptions that parents will find deeply relatable.
2. I Love You Already! (2015)
Duck decides that it is a beautiful morning for a mandatory, long walk in nature with Bear to solidify their friendship. Bear just wants a quiet cup of tea, leading to a hilarious tug-of-war over personal space.
3. Come Home Already! (2017)
When Bear takes a solo weekend camping trip to get a brief moment of absolute peace, Duck instantly spirals into a dramatic crisis of boredom and worry, tracking his friend down to ensure he isn’t lonely.
4. All Right Already! (2018)
A snow day traps the neighbors indoors. Duck is determined to build the ultimate snowman with Bear, while Bear attempts to execute a perfect, cozy indoor hibernation schedule.
3. The Terrible Two Series (Middle Grade Chapter Books)
Co-written with Mac Barnett, this critically acclaimed, fast-paced illustrated chapter book series is perfect for older readers moving into independent fiction. It follows Miles Murphy, a legendary prankster who moves to a boring town and finds himself locked in a secret, high-stakes war of wits with the school’s hidden, resident prank-master.
1. The Terrible Two (2015)
2. The Terrible Two’s Last Laugh (2016)
3. The Terrible Two Go Wild (2018)
4. The Terrible Two’s Get Worse (2019)
4. Animal Confessions / “Already” Series
These brilliantly funny, deadpan standalone picture books feature animals airing out their hilarious, internal grievances about their natural habitats and physical limitations.
- Penguin Problems (2016) – A pessimistic penguin lists the exhausting realities of Antarctic life (it’s too cold, everyone looks identical, and waddling is undignified).
- Giraffe Problems (2018) – A self-conscious giraffe complains about his overly long, wrinkly, and awkward neck, only to find a unique friend who appreciates him.
- Cat Problems (2021) – An indoor house cat details the absolute physical trials of a feline day, from the sunbeam moving across the rug to the terrible tragedy of an empty food bowl.
About the Author: Jory John
Jory John is an American children’s book author, journalist, and editor who has spent his entire career championing literacy and creative writing. Before topping the New York Times bestseller lists, John spent more than six years as the programs director at 826 Valencia, Dave Eggers’ non-profit writing and tutoring center for kids in San Francisco. This extensive, hands-on experience working directly with children taught him exactly how to speak to young readers without talking down to them, allowing him to weave complex themes like anxiety, boundaries, and emotional growth into stories that remain deeply funny.
Why the Interconnected Order Matters
While young readers can pick up any Jory John book and instantly enjoy the self-contained story, keeping to the chronological publication order—especially within The Food Group series—adds an extra layer of magic.
As the series progresses, the characters all live within the exact same grocery store ecosystem. If your child reads sequentially, they will joyfully notice The Bad Seed sitting in the background of The Cool Bean, or spot The Good Egg waving from the crowd in The Sour Grape. It turns reading into a fun interactive game, building excellent visual literacy and reading comprehension habits along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jory John’s latest book?
His most recent release is The Sweet Crepe (2025), expanding his incredibly successful Food Group universe.
What reading age are his picture books intended for?
The mainline picture books (like the Food Group and Bear and Duck books) are perfectly tailored for children aged 4 to 8 (Preschool to 3rd Grade). Because they use large, expressive typography and comedic pacing, they are also highly celebrated as fantastic tools for speech therapy and reading aloud.
What authors write similarly to Jory John?
If your little reader has devoured his entire catalog, they will absolutely love the works of Jon Klassen (I Want My Hat Back), Mo Willems (Elephant & Piggie series), and Ryan T. Higgins (Mother Bruce series).
What exactly is “Social-Emotional Learning” (SEL) in his books?
Social-Emotional Learning is a teaching concept focused on helping children understand, process, and express their internal emotions, empathy, and relationship choices. Jory John is considered an absolute master of SEL because he never lectures; instead, he allows a cookie or a grape to make mistakes, feel anxious, or hold a grudge, showing kids how to navigate those exact feelings safely.
Verdicts and Recommendations
The Final Verdict: For an absolute masterclass in witty, modern children’s literature that teaches brilliant life lessons without ever being boring, start immediately with The Bad Seed (2017) and follow the delicious series in order.
This series is a perfect match for: Growing readers who love vibrant illustrations, parents who are tired of reading boring bedtime stories, and anyone who needs a gentle reminder that it’s okay to have a bad day as long as you keep trying your best.
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