What do you think?
Rate this book
Banana
Getting what you want can be tricky, especially if you don't ask in quite the right way. Follow one little monkey's journey through many emotions as he tries every trick in the book to get hold of his friend's banana, until he finally hits on the magic word - please! Using only two words, this is a fantastic introduction to the value of manners and compromise for young children. Packed with humour, colour and exuberance, this is a brilliant observation of toddler behaviour.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2007
4 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Ed Vere
41Ìýbooks71ÌýfollowersEd Vere is a British writer and illustrator of children's books. He won the Highland Children's Book Award in 2007 for his book, The Getaway and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal for children's book illustration, recognizing his 2008 picture book Banana.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 23, 2018
There are only two words in the book, yet the story is conveyed clearly. It would be a good starting point to get children to think about manners but also they’re body language. How do we know the monkeys feelings and how can we relate this to our actions?
September 13, 2017
A lot conveyed in the illustrations--and so many ways to say "banana." It makes me think of all the ways one can say Wall-E or Eve (or Ev-a!). I think this would be a fun read-aloud, because it would be enjoyable to say banana all those ways. But I'm not sure how comfortable I am with facially acting out a tantrum--especially with an age that is subject to them. Then again, the Finn book worked all right. I think this book would be too young for toddlers to get in a storytime setting. In a lap-read, it would be perfect considering it is a great way to teach one about saying "please." Maybe in a smaller storytime group I could get this to work because of the timing and flow. But my groups are so large now, it might be harder for me to do so.
9/9/13: This was perfect for my Movement storytime group. The humor was just right and the length was great, too. And it's always nice that so many kids love bananas at that age.
9/13/17 Used this as Literacy Moment in "Load of Laughs" theme. I had a small crowd, so it worked really well that I wasn't having to stretch our the story. I had the kids tell me what was going on and how a certain monkey was feeling. Then they wrote the first letter of that word on the iPad, which was connected to our big screen for everyone to see. Only had about 3 or 4 kids want to participate. Which left me showing the rest of the story and writing the letters for them to call out. And that was just as great for them, too. They definitely liked the book.
9/9/13: This was perfect for my Movement storytime group. The humor was just right and the length was great, too. And it's always nice that so many kids love bananas at that age.
9/13/17 Used this as Literacy Moment in "Load of Laughs" theme. I had a small crowd, so it worked really well that I wasn't having to stretch our the story. I had the kids tell me what was going on and how a certain monkey was feeling. Then they wrote the first letter of that word on the iPad, which was connected to our big screen for everyone to see. Only had about 3 or 4 kids want to participate. Which left me showing the rest of the story and writing the letters for them to call out. And that was just as great for them, too. They definitely liked the book.
October 30, 2019
I think this book is incredible, would be really good as an inclusive sensory story. The addition of objects to feel (bananas obviously- amongst others), with sound sounds representing the stages of the book could really bring the text to life and engage readers in a multi-sensory way. I feel in this way, the reading of this text will really need to be committed too and emphasised with teachers-in-role. The repetition of two simple words could be easily learned and children could join in with the text so quickly!
The lack of text really opens the accessibility for all, however, the message of social exchanges, feelings and appropriate reactions could really open up the learning of pupils. For pupils who might find emotions challenging to feel or identify the light-hearted nature of the banana story could really open conversations up in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
The lack of text really opens the accessibility for all, however, the message of social exchanges, feelings and appropriate reactions could really open up the learning of pupils. For pupils who might find emotions challenging to feel or identify the light-hearted nature of the banana story could really open conversations up in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
February 5, 2012
A very simple book - with 2 words - 'Banana' and 'Please'.
The book follows the interaction between two Monkeys who both want the Banana.
It see's how the Monkeys start of unable to share and then the magic word 'Please' is used and we see a glorious sharing of the Banana.
The limited use of words and the very clear and animated illustrations allows the reader to make the story what they want and allows children to interact and be creative in the process.
It is a fantastic book to use in EYFS to promote understanding around manners, kindness and sharing - helping to address the emotional development of very young children.
The book follows the interaction between two Monkeys who both want the Banana.
It see's how the Monkeys start of unable to share and then the magic word 'Please' is used and we see a glorious sharing of the Banana.
The limited use of words and the very clear and animated illustrations allows the reader to make the story what they want and allows children to interact and be creative in the process.
It is a fantastic book to use in EYFS to promote understanding around manners, kindness and sharing - helping to address the emotional development of very young children.
January 5, 2011
I've turned the review of this book over to an expert:
You can find his review
You can find his review
January 7, 2011
This graphically bold book consists of just 2 words: banana and that other magic one. It's been a hit with preschoolers who are great at reading the story of a frustrated monkey told in images.
April 1, 2023
My preschool class absolutely love this book. They find it hilarious.
It’s a great read-aloud - which is what I am always looking for. This one is a staple favourite with my 3-5 year olds. They have their own copy on the bookshelf which they gravitate to as they can also read it themselves as it only consists of one word.
Very funny. Fantastic author and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. Ticks all the boxes for story time.
It’s a great read-aloud - which is what I am always looking for. This one is a staple favourite with my 3-5 year olds. They have their own copy on the bookshelf which they gravitate to as they can also read it themselves as it only consists of one word.
Very funny. Fantastic author and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. Ticks all the boxes for story time.
September 18, 2018
A simple and highly visual book about sibling rivalry :)
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
January 19, 2023
A monkey wants another monkey's banana. he asks, he grabs, he yells, he pouts (well at least he says "banana" with all those emotions, before finally figuring out the magic word was "please." But the story doesn't end there... he still has to learn to share. Great for discussing emotions and compromise.
January 15, 2020
I decided to try this book for a toddler/preschool storytime after seeing this book on so many lists. I was skeptical about the story because it only had two words in it---would kids pay attention if the book didn't have more "story" to it.
So I introduced the book by asking the kids if they thought we could tell a whole story with funny parts, and sad parts, and more with only two words. Some kids thought we could doesn't didn't. But setting up the story this way seemed to help the kids get ready to figure out the story of two monkeys fighting over one banana.
In case you cannot tell from my 5 star rating the story was, in fact, a big hit. This book will fit in well with a Monkey, Letter B, or sharing theme.
So I introduced the book by asking the kids if they thought we could tell a whole story with funny parts, and sad parts, and more with only two words. Some kids thought we could doesn't didn't. But setting up the story this way seemed to help the kids get ready to figure out the story of two monkeys fighting over one banana.
In case you cannot tell from my 5 star rating the story was, in fact, a big hit. This book will fit in well with a Monkey, Letter B, or sharing theme.
January 3, 2024
- funny
- minimal words (mostly banana 😂)
- gives an opportunity to talk about feelings and expressions
this book was such a hit when my kid was 3 and we had the paper version. now she's 5 and had lots of fun reading it to her baby bro
- minimal words (mostly banana 😂)
- gives an opportunity to talk about feelings and expressions
this book was such a hit when my kid was 3 and we had the paper version. now she's 5 and had lots of fun reading it to her baby bro
September 12, 2017
This book could be an excellent way to represent expression and emotion.
October 23, 2017
Not good for story times.
January 8, 2018
Ah-Mazing! Perfect for 2-3 year old storytime
March 14, 2018
Very simply told story about bananas, monkeys, and sharing :)
September 8, 2018
Learning the magic word in getting a banana. B
September 18, 2018
You can inject so much into this story. I usually turn it into a lesson about ownership and charity.
January 8, 2019
Banana?
Banana...
Banana!!!
Banana...
Banana!!!
July 22, 2019
Only two words, but man, can you read those two words with expression!
September 16, 2019
Great book for children in preschool who are learning to use their words to ask for things. Also teaches children about sharing (or lack of)
October 1, 2019
Teaches manners and compromise.
September 29, 2020
Fun picture book that teaches kids about saying 'please' and 'thank you'.
May 17, 2021
Banana? Banana!
July 26, 2021
Great pictures and fab for teaching empathy/emotional intelligence, with my 2yr old daughter who enjoyed inferring how each monkey felt about the banana and sharing with one another.
November 2, 2021
If anyone needs to learn how to say 'please', this is your book!
February 18, 2022
My baby ADORED this one word book with bold and cute illustrations!
August 10, 2022
Silly. High energy with few words.
December 21, 2022
Very entertaining story that helps children with expression, which is encouraged in the curriculum. Ed Vere books are very popular with my children.
September 17, 2019
EY/KS1 class read. Very funny - needs lots of expression!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.