The Bad Seed Goes to the Library: A Food Group Story for Children (Ages 4-8)

The Food Group #1.2

by Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

The Bad Seed borrows an awesome book from the library in this Level One I Can Read by the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Jory John and Pete Oswald! The Bad Seed is in a good mood…for once. That’s because there’s a really cool book at the library available for checkout. The Bad Seed reads, and reads, until the book can’t be read anymore. But suddenly, he gets bad The book must be returned to the library so another seed can enjoy it. Will the bad seed return to his  baaaaaad  ways and keep the book? Pick up  this  really cool book to find out! The Bad Seed Goes to the Library is a Level 1 I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Books About Books, Fiction, Juvenile, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.

Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.

Reviews

[Kimmy’s Reads! · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seed is as fresh as it’s misunderstood!! I love this cute little series !! Also can you blame them ? Who doesn’t have a library book they couldn’t stand to return ?! I have one in my room as we speak. Especially when it comes to a pretty cover !!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I suppose it's important to share good books with other seeds. Because seeds who read are smart, indeed."

Since I stumbled on The Good Egg and The Bad Seed a few years ago, I have been reading any and every book that Jory John and Pete Oswald have put out into the world. I absolutely love their take on storytelling and I especially love all the witty puns that are included in the illustrations.

When I saw this book at my library, I knew I had to check it out. I didn't realize this was an easy reader book, but I enjoyed this one regardless. I especially loved that the Bad Seed read the entire book in one sitting at the library and then took it home to love on it even more. I never knew the Bad Seed would be a book lover too! This is such a delightful little book for book lovers and early readers who may have enjoyed the picture books from John and Oswald in their younger years.

[J.M. Northup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jory John's work. Such great illustrations for adorable stories, which kids can easily relate to. Parents/teachers can enjoy them, as well.

This was a fun title to share with my granddaughters. We sat and read it together in a rocket ship bookshelf at our local library. It helped to create a great memory while teaching the girls about the library. It was also a magical part of the day they received their library cards!

The littles loved the story. They told me it was, "a good book." I think I can confidently say they recommend it as much as I do.

[Riana (RianaInTheStacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too cute and silly. Plus, it’s all about the library and not wanting to have to return your books but learning that you can just get more books when you do. You’re also letting other people get those books your turning in <3.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too funny! The Bad Seed loves to check out books from the library and read them, but learns an important lesson--library books need to be returned!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too fun & perfect for elementary library classes!!

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun early reader for anyone who loves libraries. A great way to practice ee and oo words.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable kids book with a relatable and fun main character going to the library, which is always an awesome adventure!

[Teacher Librarian Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

But is there even another book worth reading? What if there isn’t?

I loved it! A wonderful book for librarians everywhere to read to children. And who hasn’t wondered - will I find a better book than this? And parting is such sweet sorrow…until we find our next great read. It is also a great book to read to explain why returning their books is so important, there is someone waiting for it and their joy getting the book makes them happy too.

The illustrations are magical, funny and take the story to another level. I read the read along with Sora by OverDrive, the narration taking it to a whole other level. Highly recommend this book and the read along version by OverDrive.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bad Seed loves to go to the library and he found an amazing book! He wants to keep the book forever, but the library asks for it back. This is a great book to talk about how books (and other materials) are shared at the library.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love any book that includes the Library, and this one was no exception! My kids loved this book too! It shows you how much fun the library can be, and how important books are!

This is a fun read that I think kids will enjoy!

[Matt Lillywhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always a sucker for book-themed books. So, when I heard about Bad Seed Goes To The Library, I jumped at the chance to read it.

This would be a brilliant book for any young reader to purchase at the bookstore or children's library to include in its collection.

5 stars.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet introduction to the library and sometimes it is soooooo hard to return a library book.

[Enelinda Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it to my son he loved it it's a great bedtime read.

[Candy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bad Seed going to the library was not a storyline I expected. However, I was further surprised by the all too human panic and mental breakdown over the possibility of never being able to find a book as terrific as the book one just finished.

The seed puns are great, in particular the ones cleverly inserted in the book titles sprinkled throughout the illustrations. The wordplay is so fresh that I laughed out loud a few times. Blame it on me, but I daresay I have come to expect nothing less in this regard from the series.

My only complaint is that the Bad Seed does not undergo much development this time, as obviously shown in the ending.

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning Reader: 4 - 8 years

This is probably my fav book about libraries so far for kids!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tara Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The Bad Seed is a library lover, perfect.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently my sons favourite book, and the first he’s attempted to “read” on his own.

[Meliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

He doesn’t understand how the library works, but he loves books so he’s alright with me.

[Emily Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story. My daughter liked all the moods. Guided reading level K

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

[Melissapalmer404 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute picture book where The Bad Seed finds a great book at the library and is sad when he has to return it. A love note to libraries.

[Paulina ෂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindo, corto y divertido.

Me encantaron las ilustraciones y el ritmo de la historia muy Cartoon Network 2010s

[Hollie Cooper (EDUC378) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text-to-Teaching Connection: I chose this book this week because my daughter said she likes it a lot. So, we decided to read it together. This book has a few lessons to be learned. One is that going to the library can be fun. IT also teaches a lesson about sharing and that others might like something as much as you, so you have to take turns. However, sharing can be a good thing because it allows you to also try something new. After reading this book, I would ask my class what their favorite book is and see how many students have the same favorite book. I would encourage the students to read a book that someone else says is their favorite.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - I didn't think I'd like this but it's a love letter to libraries

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and funny early reader.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! I love the Bad Seed's reaction to finding the perfect book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You never go wrong with the Bad Seed!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bad Seed loves visiting the library and is overjoyed to find a book that he loves very much. He loves it so much that he doesn't ever want to return it. But is this really the only book that the Bad Seed will ever love? And how does he feel when he eventually gives it back? A fun book to share and discuss the concept of borrowing library books.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for back to school and library story time, emphasizing the joy of finding new books every time you visit! Love all the puns in the titles and especially the peanut librarian! Fun easy reader format with Bad Seed’s I Love the Library song.