"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.