Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom

The Cookie of Doom explores the idea that trying new things often requires courage, as illustrated through Ben’s adventures over the course of the story. When the novel begins, Ben is an enthusiastic eight-year-old who loves noodles and is excited about new experiences, but he still feels cautious in many aspects of life. The fortune cookie, advising him to “Live each day as if it were your last” (8-9), acts as the story’s inciting incident, prompting him to experiment with activities he’s been too cautious to attempt, such as eating his father’s forbidden cake, jumping over Mr. Hoggenweff’s fence, or completing a tail whip trick on his scooter. Even though these actions involve risk and potential consequences, the stakes of knowing he has only one life to live motivate Ben to approach them with new curiosity and determination. Behr’s illustrations emphasize the determination and courage required to attempt each of Ben’s tasks, such as performing his first tail whip trick on his scooter or jumping over fences. Each moment is depicted with exaggerated expressions of effort and concentration on his face.

The courage Ben summons to try new things inspires the other characters to find similar bravery and determination in themselves. Galvanized by Ben’s example, Ben’s father plans an elaborate date for Ben’s mother. Ben’s mother tries making a cake for the first time, and though it fails, both she and Ben recognize the value in trying. Ben learns that having the courage to try something new is not about guaranteed success but about embracing opportunities, facing fears, and growing through experience. Ben’s day-long adventures, ranging from baking with his mother to completing an intricate model of the Taj Mahal to helping his friends and family, emphasize that courage is central to living a meaningful and adventurous life—a lesson that Ben takes to heart.

Swanson and Behr also demonstrate Ben’s courage in his interactions with his best friend, Janet, inspiring her to face her own fears. Although Janet is doubtful when Ben first explains about the fortune cookie, Ben encourages her to act, and together they attempt new experiences, like eating an entire bag of marshmallows or giving Janet an adventurous new haircut. Through these shared experiences, Ben demonstrates that courage often involves a decision to act despite fear. As Ben reflects, “The point is that you figure out the things you really want to do and then just do them as well as you possibly can. So at least you know you tried” (249). His realization encapsulates the central lesson of the novel: perfection is not the goal; engagement, persistence, and initiative—all of which require courage—are what provide meaning and satisfaction. The motif of the ruined rug reinforces this lesson. When Ben accidentally uses the wrong threads while helping Janet finish her latch hook project, Janet becomes upset. Believing the mistake makes the rug resemble a bouquet of dead flowers, she initially cries and throws it away. Instead of abandoning the task, Ben retrieves the rug and points out its value despite its imperfection, concluding that a ruined rug is better than no rug at all.

Each of the things Ben attempts throughout his day requires courage, culminating in his attempt to retrieve an apple from Mrs. Ezra’s tree. His love and care for Janet motivate him to move through his fear that Mrs. Ezra is a witch, that the apples might be cursed, or that he might fall or be caught stealing. Ben tells himself that Janet’s dad is no longer here to do it for her, but he is, underscoring the concept of life as a gift. Even when the task seems daunting, Ben’s determination and courage allow him to succeed. Pushing through his fear also allows Ben to realize that the rumors about Mrs. Ezra are false. Opening up to Mrs. Ezra about his day allows him to form a bond with his neighbor, which he might have missed out on otherwise.