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The Giant Jellybean Jar
With art as bright as the jelly beans in Jo-Jo’s shop, this Easy Reader is about learning to speak up. Ben loves jelly beans, and every week he goes to Jo-Jo’s, hoping to solve the riddle that will win him a whole jar full of them. Even though he always knows the answer, he has never won the prize, because he’s too shy to say it out loud. Ben finally speaks up in this sweet treat of a book.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Marcie Aboff
83 books6 followers“I’ve always loved a good story. There’s something magical that happens when you open a book and are suddenly whisked off to a different place or another time where just about anything can happen … Stories make imagination real”
I was born and raised in a small suburban town in New Jersey, the youngest of three children. It was always a thrill when we had “library day” in elementary school and I got to pick out another new book. Some of my favorite authors growing up were Judy Blume and O. Henry. I love the surprise, twist ending of O. Henry’s stories.
In high school, I was editor of the school newspaper, but my favorite class was creative writing. I loved making up characters and plots and writing them down into a story. One of my fondest memories was when my creative writing teacher, Ms. Earl, read one of my short stories aloud for the class and when she finished she told the class, “this is how a short story should be written.” Wow - I felt on top of the world! Ms. Earl was one of those very special teachers that fueled my love of writing.
At Arizona State University, I broadened my writing interests with classes in broadcasting and I interned at the local PBS station on campus. My first “real” job was an editorial assistant for a daily newspaper in Escondido, California. Part of my job was writing the obituaries (not much room for creativity there!) I eventually became a feature writer/reporter. After a few years, I moved back to the east coast and worked in New York as a copywriter for an advertising specialty firm.
After I had my first child, I took time off from work and concentrated on what I really wanted to write – children’s stories. But I was certainly not an overnight success – I wrote for several years before I got published. I look back at some of my stories I wrote when I first started out and I have to laugh – like the story about the “talking vegetables who sang in the supermarket.” But I kept writing and learning my craft.
My first published story was sold to a children’s pre-teen magazine and I was thrilled. I got a small (very small!) check in the mail and I ran around the house feeling like I finally made it! Then I sold more stories to other children’s magazines like Highlights For Children and Spider. My first picture book, Uncle Willy’s Tickles, came shortly afterward.
I now have several published picture books, beginning readers and chapter books for both the trade and educational market. My latest beginning reader, The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, is a fun story about a jelly bean riddle contest.
I love visiting schools and libraries and talking to the kids about writing. Their creativity knows no bounds. I’ll never forget the time I was talking to a particular class of 4th graders. There were three rough-and-tough boys sitting in the back of the classroom who were clearly not interested in hearing an author speak, but at the end of my presentation, they were excited and smiling and talking about all the stories they wanted to write. What a great feeling!
I live in New Jersey with my three children and am part of a “blended” family – my fiancé has two children. With our five active kids, there is no shortage of story material from which to draw upon.
I was born and raised in a small suburban town in New Jersey, the youngest of three children. It was always a thrill when we had “library day” in elementary school and I got to pick out another new book. Some of my favorite authors growing up were Judy Blume and O. Henry. I love the surprise, twist ending of O. Henry’s stories.
In high school, I was editor of the school newspaper, but my favorite class was creative writing. I loved making up characters and plots and writing them down into a story. One of my fondest memories was when my creative writing teacher, Ms. Earl, read one of my short stories aloud for the class and when she finished she told the class, “this is how a short story should be written.” Wow - I felt on top of the world! Ms. Earl was one of those very special teachers that fueled my love of writing.
At Arizona State University, I broadened my writing interests with classes in broadcasting and I interned at the local PBS station on campus. My first “real” job was an editorial assistant for a daily newspaper in Escondido, California. Part of my job was writing the obituaries (not much room for creativity there!) I eventually became a feature writer/reporter. After a few years, I moved back to the east coast and worked in New York as a copywriter for an advertising specialty firm.
After I had my first child, I took time off from work and concentrated on what I really wanted to write – children’s stories. But I was certainly not an overnight success – I wrote for several years before I got published. I look back at some of my stories I wrote when I first started out and I have to laugh – like the story about the “talking vegetables who sang in the supermarket.” But I kept writing and learning my craft.
My first published story was sold to a children’s pre-teen magazine and I was thrilled. I got a small (very small!) check in the mail and I ran around the house feeling like I finally made it! Then I sold more stories to other children’s magazines like Highlights For Children and Spider. My first picture book, Uncle Willy’s Tickles, came shortly afterward.
I now have several published picture books, beginning readers and chapter books for both the trade and educational market. My latest beginning reader, The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, is a fun story about a jelly bean riddle contest.
I love visiting schools and libraries and talking to the kids about writing. Their creativity knows no bounds. I’ll never forget the time I was talking to a particular class of 4th graders. There were three rough-and-tough boys sitting in the back of the classroom who were clearly not interested in hearing an author speak, but at the end of my presentation, they were excited and smiling and talking about all the stories they wanted to write. What a great feeling!
I live in New Jersey with my three children and am part of a “blended” family – my fiancé has two children. With our five active kids, there is no shortage of story material from which to draw upon.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 16, 2017
Title: The Giant Jelly Bean Jar
Author: Marcie Aboff
Illustrator: Paige Billin-Frye
Genre: Easy reader
Theme(s): Jelly beans, public speaking, riddles
Opening line/sentence: “Ben loved jelly beans.”
Brief Book Summary: Every week Jo-Jo’s Jelly Bean Shop has a new riddle for the kids to solve. The winner receives a big jar of jelly beans. Ben is a shy boy and speaking up in front of everyone is hard for him, but he always knows the answers to the riddles. This simple story follows Ben though his public speaking journey and attempts to win the big jar of jelly bans.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
The Horn Book Guide Online
(http://www.hornbookguide.com.ezaccess...)
K-3 Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. Ben is shy about answering riddles at the local candy store, but with his sister's help one Saturday he is brave enough to raise his hand, answer a riddle, and win a jar of jelly beans. The book has an appealing subject and an accessible writing style, and the illustrations are cheery.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
(http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...)
Ben wants to win the weekly contest at Jo-Jo's jellybean shop and take home the jar of free jellybeans. But he is too shy, does not speak up, and hardly raises his hand, even though the answers to the riddles are easy: banana, pizza, and so forth. Finally, Ben gets up his courage, and when Jo-Jo says the riddle, he raises his hand high, even jumping up, but when he is called on he has forgotten the answer. It is his sister who jogs his memory by stomping on his foot to which he says "Oh, nuts" before remembering the answer is peanut butter. The gentle humor, the multicultural neighborhood that gathers weekly at the jellybean giveaway, the easy-to-answer riddle, and the sweet sibling relationship make this one new readers will enjoy.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews bring up different positive points that the book has to offer: gentle humor, a multicultural neighborhood, cheery illustrations, etc. I agree that this book offers more positive literary experiences than negative experiences for a young reader.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
Although short, this book was definitely sweet. The simple plot, followed by the bright, colorful illustrations, makes this story a great easy reader book. The writing style was simple enough for young readers to follow along with, and the appearance of humor throughout the story is an added bonus.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
I would love to incorporate this story into a math lesson where we use jellybeans to count/add. Jellybeans could also be given to each student and each colored jellybean would stand for a question about the story. The student would answer the question that corresponds to their jellybean. This could also be used in other ways too! For example, each color could stand for a different writing prompt, or a different class challenge.
Author: Marcie Aboff
Illustrator: Paige Billin-Frye
Genre: Easy reader
Theme(s): Jelly beans, public speaking, riddles
Opening line/sentence: “Ben loved jelly beans.”
Brief Book Summary: Every week Jo-Jo’s Jelly Bean Shop has a new riddle for the kids to solve. The winner receives a big jar of jelly beans. Ben is a shy boy and speaking up in front of everyone is hard for him, but he always knows the answers to the riddles. This simple story follows Ben though his public speaking journey and attempts to win the big jar of jelly bans.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
The Horn Book Guide Online
(http://www.hornbookguide.com.ezaccess...)
K-3 Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. Ben is shy about answering riddles at the local candy store, but with his sister's help one Saturday he is brave enough to raise his hand, answer a riddle, and win a jar of jelly beans. The book has an appealing subject and an accessible writing style, and the illustrations are cheery.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
(http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...)
Ben wants to win the weekly contest at Jo-Jo's jellybean shop and take home the jar of free jellybeans. But he is too shy, does not speak up, and hardly raises his hand, even though the answers to the riddles are easy: banana, pizza, and so forth. Finally, Ben gets up his courage, and when Jo-Jo says the riddle, he raises his hand high, even jumping up, but when he is called on he has forgotten the answer. It is his sister who jogs his memory by stomping on his foot to which he says "Oh, nuts" before remembering the answer is peanut butter. The gentle humor, the multicultural neighborhood that gathers weekly at the jellybean giveaway, the easy-to-answer riddle, and the sweet sibling relationship make this one new readers will enjoy.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews bring up different positive points that the book has to offer: gentle humor, a multicultural neighborhood, cheery illustrations, etc. I agree that this book offers more positive literary experiences than negative experiences for a young reader.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
Although short, this book was definitely sweet. The simple plot, followed by the bright, colorful illustrations, makes this story a great easy reader book. The writing style was simple enough for young readers to follow along with, and the appearance of humor throughout the story is an added bonus.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
I would love to incorporate this story into a math lesson where we use jellybeans to count/add. Jellybeans could also be given to each student and each colored jellybean would stand for a question about the story. The student would answer the question that corresponds to their jellybean. This could also be used in other ways too! For example, each color could stand for a different writing prompt, or a different class challenge.
January 5, 2026
This book was so fun to read my dog loved it and it made her calm I’m gonna be reading this book again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️five star review from me and my dogs lol
December 1, 2014
Growing up, children are often shy when they are around other people. Even though they might usually be loud and adventurous, other kids can make them self-conscience or even embarrassed. This specific struggle comes into place during The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, written by Marcie Aboff. The beginning of the story introduces two characters, Ben and Jill, who are siblings. Every week they love to go down to Jo-Jo’s Jelly Bean Shop and look at all the different flavors that are offered. Each time they go, there is a contest where the kids try to figure out one of Jo-Jo’s riddles. Whoever raises their hand and shouts the correct answer is given a whole jar of jelly beans. Every time Ben goes he knows the answer to the weekly riddle. Unfortunately he is extremely shy and is never able to speak loud enough when it comes time to answer the question. It is not until his sister, Jill, helps encourage him is he able to answer the riddle proudly and receive a jar.
Throughout The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, there many literary devices that help contribute to strong character development and the overall theme. I loved the fact that instead of the main character being this bold, outrageous, and confident character Marcie Aboff took the idea of having the main character struggle to find his way. Ben is faced with the conflict of character vs. character every week as he tries to win the jar or jelly beans. All of his friends and classmates that would also go to Jo-Jo’s shop make fun of him and tell him he’s too shy to ever win anything. As readers, we get to see Ben rise above the teasing he receives which develops his character. The style and tone of the book was still light-hearted but brought a blanched conflict to the overall portrayal of the book. The struggles were resolved which created an impactful ending. The color scheme and page layout also brought a great element to the story as well. The jelly bean shop was filled with bright yellows, reds, and purples that brought a cheery and childish atmosphere to the storyline.
Overall, The Giant Jelly Bean Jar was an excellent read. I loved being along for the ride as Ben struggled to rise about others making fun of him. He kept trying to become braver and eventually succeeded. This children’s book was an easy read that taught a lesson while being enjoyable.
Throughout The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, there many literary devices that help contribute to strong character development and the overall theme. I loved the fact that instead of the main character being this bold, outrageous, and confident character Marcie Aboff took the idea of having the main character struggle to find his way. Ben is faced with the conflict of character vs. character every week as he tries to win the jar or jelly beans. All of his friends and classmates that would also go to Jo-Jo’s shop make fun of him and tell him he’s too shy to ever win anything. As readers, we get to see Ben rise above the teasing he receives which develops his character. The style and tone of the book was still light-hearted but brought a blanched conflict to the overall portrayal of the book. The struggles were resolved which created an impactful ending. The color scheme and page layout also brought a great element to the story as well. The jelly bean shop was filled with bright yellows, reds, and purples that brought a cheery and childish atmosphere to the storyline.
Overall, The Giant Jelly Bean Jar was an excellent read. I loved being along for the ride as Ben struggled to rise about others making fun of him. He kept trying to become braver and eventually succeeded. This children’s book was an easy read that taught a lesson while being enjoyable.
March 29, 2014
This colorful book is about a shy little boy called Ben who wanted to win a jar of jelly beans but, did not because he was nervous about speaking up. Big sister to the rescue encouraged him and at last he won the greatest jar. An easy read fpr kids reading on their own. Vivid colors that keep the kids turning the pages.
Aboff, M., Billin-Frye,P. (2004) The Giant Jelly Bean Jar
New York, NY: Penguin group.
Aboff, M., Billin-Frye,P. (2004) The Giant Jelly Bean Jar
New York, NY: Penguin group.
February 3, 2011
This is a fun read-aloud for students. In the story, the jelly bean shop owner gives clues about the mystery flavors of the jelly beans. Students can make predictions about what the flavors of the jelly beans will be after hearing the clues. One could even add an extension lesson after the story where students could estimate the number of jelly beans placed in a jar, and then count them.
November 30, 2012
Ben loves jelly beans, and every week he goes to Jo-Jo's Jelly Bean Shop hoping to guess the riddle that will win him a whole jar full of them. He always knows the answer to the riddle, but he has never won the prize. It's hard to speak out loud in front of so many people, but with a little help from his sister, Ben finally learns to say what he's thinking.
April 2, 2012
Cute story, made me laugh. For about 2nd or 3rd grade readers.
June 23, 2014
It's a pretty good book.I'm not sure why Ben would say "OH NUTS!" when his sister stomped on his foot. I wonder what Ben's favorite jelly bean flavor is..........................
May 24, 2016
smart and sad!!
April 8, 2017
AR Quiz No. 76160 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.4 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.4 - AR Pts: 0.5
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews