The Mean, Green Lima Bean

"The Mean, Green Lima Bean" follows the story of a lima bean named Dean. Dean is a very mean lima bean and often says or does unkind things to his classmates throughout the school day. When Dean realizes no one wants to be friends with him, he is suddenly unhappy. His new feelings make him decide to stop being so mean to all his classmates, helping him develop empathy for others. With the universal theme of kindness woven alongside rhyming words, this educational story is sure to make young readers giggle.
The story begins and ends with a brief dream sequence that transforms the reader's experience. As the dream unfolds, the author uses personification to give human traits to the Dean, the mean lima bean. In addition, the story provides real-life examples of being mean versus being kind to others, helping to further instill self-awareness.

Lise Holdorf Tracey is an English language development teacher in Maryland who loves teaching young children how to read and write. She infuses her daily lessons with themes of social-emotional awareness, such as self-management, empathy for others, and relationship-building skills. Her picture book, "The Mean, Green Lima Bean," is her debut book as a children's author.

Joan M. Parsnick resides with her husband, Tom, in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of central New York. Her surroundings have been an inspiration for many of her drawings and paintings. Joan used watercolor and ink to illustrate The Mean, Green Lima Bean.