Would You Like a Banana?

The gorilla in this book is hungry, but she doesn’t want the banana she’s been offered. She doesn’t like bananas – they’re too wonky and bendy. Despite the attempts of the kind narrator who tries everything – making suggestions for delicious combinations with honey and ice cream, wearing a banana on your head and eating it in a bun – the gorilla is having none of it. Except, when the banana is taken away, it suddenly becomes more appealing…

Reminiscent of Dr Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham and Lauren Child’s I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato, Ismail’s take on the fussy eating theme uses a mix of bold, expressive illustration and photography which brings a light, fun energy to what can sometimes be a frustrating experience for parents. Ismail is incredibly skilled at recognising, honouring and celebrating the emotional life of toddlers, and Would You Like A Banana? is a fantastic addition to Nuts!, Joy and the Kiki and Bobo books.