Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spoon | 2009 | Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Buy |
| 2 | Chopsticks | 2012 | Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Buy |
| 3 | Straw | 2020 | Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Buy |
The Utensils series by Amy Krouse Rosenthal turns the silverware drawer into a cast of characters, each dealing with their own version of “the grass is always greener.” Spoon (2009), illustrated by Scott Magoon, kicked off the series with a spoon who envies the cool things other utensils get to do, before realizing he has his own strengths.
Chopsticks (2012) followed with a pair of chopsticks who are always together and wonder what it would be like to go it alone. The third book, Straw (2020), was published after Rosenthal’s death and completed the trio. All three books share the same warm, funny tone and the same message about being comfortable in your own skin. They work well as read-alouds and have become popular choices for elementary classroom libraries, where teachers use them to talk about self-acceptance and comparison.