As kids grow, they’ll encounter all different people, and they’ll discover that many people think, talk, act, and look differently than they do. It’s critical that we teach our kids how to listen and understand, even when someone seems to be completely opposite! Burgerhead & Mean Jerry Become Friends is a perfect example of two very different kids who can overcome their differences and find what they have in common. 

In this story, we’re introduced to two characters who are nothing alike. Mean Jerry has nice clothes, and comes from a small house with a refrigerator that’s always empty. Burgerhead has an old and rickety bike, but he has a fridge full of his favorite food, grapes. The conversation between the two boys takes up most of the book, as we see them asking each other lots of questions to figure out why their lives look different. 

This book is truly unique – the dialogue rings true from two boys who work to make sense of something that seems confusing. Why doesn’t everyone have the same number of dogs? Why doesn’t everyone get their bike from the same place? These are the types of things that kids wonder, and ask questions about, and this book lets us come alongside the characters to have better conversations in real life.

Often, people can come with a reputation, just like Mean Jerry and his name. As kids read the story, they’ll see that Burgerhead didn’t make assumptions; he was friendly and talked with Jerry to see if he was, in fact, mean. One of the biggest and best surprises of the story is that Mean Jerry is actually nothing but kind to Burgerhead! The boys ride around the city, and Burgerhead introduces his new friend to his favorite spots and landmarks. It looks like it’s the beginning of a great friendship.