The Couch Potato (Food Group)

by Jory John (Author) Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

The Couch Potato (Food Group)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Food Group

Meet your new pal-tato in the fourth picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of The Bad Seed, The Good Egg, and The Cool Bean, Jory John and Pete Oswald.

The Couch Potato has everything he needs within reach of his sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel himself away from the comforts of his living room and venture outside. And when he does, he realizes fresh air and sunshine could be just the things he needs... Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new best spuddy learns that balancing screen time and playtime is the root to true happiness. Check out Jory John and Pete Oswald's other funny books for children:

  • The Bad Seed
  • The Good Egg
  • The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape!
  • That's What Dinosaurs Do
Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

More books in the series - See All

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-The term couch potato was coined in 1979 to describe kids who spent more time on the couch than outside playing. John's book toys with that concept in this exaggerated story of an anthropomorphic potato who pridefully shows the reader every device it owns. Each of them is designed to make sure Couch Potato never gets off the couch. When one last device is delivered and is plugged in, the lights go out. Couch Potato opens the curtains and notices what they haven't seen in ages: the outdoors! With nothing else to do, Couch Potato ventures outside and finds there is plenty to do. The COVID-19 pandemic has kept children in isolation indoors and developing couch potato tendencies through no fault of their own; this tale is timely and helps make the point that a balance of technology and old-school fun might be the way to go. The cartoonish art serves the story well, reaching for every last pun and bit of wordplay. VERDICT A goofy story about the dangers of too much of one thing, and a lighthearted lesson for all.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

One of the best!

I was the best book I read. It was very entertaining.

Jory John
Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books for both children and adults. He is the author of Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith; The Bad Seed and The Good Egg, both illustrated by Pete Oswald; and Quit Calling Me a Monster! and I Will Chomp You!, both illustrated by Bob Shea, among many other books. Jory is a two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient and has won numerous state book awards for his writing. Jory lives in Oregon. You can find him at joryjohn.com or on Twitter @IamJoryJohn.

LANE SMITH has written and illustrated a bunch of stuff, including Grandpa Green, which was a Caldecott Honor Book; It's a Book, which has been translated into over twenty-five languages; and The Stinky Cheese Man. Four of his books have been New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year. In 2012, the Eric Carle Museum named him an Honor Artist for "lifelong innovation in the field of children's books." In 2014, he received the Society of Illustrators Lifetime Achievement Award. Lane and book designer Molly Leach live in rural Connecticut. Visit him on the Web at lanesmithbooks.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780062954534
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
November 03, 2020
Series
Food Group
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039200 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Manners & Etiquette
Library of Congress categories
-

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!