What do we do in our family with the ham bone that is leftover after holiday feasts?

We make stewed beans!

It’s a family tradition with stories to go along with it. Now you can read about it in a new storybook.

Too Many Beans!

• Publication date: 2026
• Formats:
  • Hardcover

Too Many Beans! is a heartwarming true story that follows one family’s tradition of eating stewed beans for more than a century.

As a boy growing up, Tom Estes‘ family didn’t have much money, so beans became an important part of everyday meals. Even after he married Lona, his love of stewed beans never faded. One day, Tom proudly declared that he could eat beans for every meal. Lona decided to find out if that was really true!

Filled with gentle humor, warm watercolor illustrations, and simple text designed for beginning readers, Too Many Beans! celebrates family traditions, love, laughter, and the everyday moments that become treasured memories.

At the back of the book, readers will discover the family’s original stewed bean recipe, historical family photographs, and a glimpse of the real people whose lives inspired the story. Together, they show how one simple family tradition has connected generations for more than a century.

Perfect for children ages 4–8, grandparents, family history enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys stories based on real life.