B IS FOR BANANAS

This anthropomorphic banana is NOT ready for bed.

The protagonist of Counting to Bananas (2022) returns to explore the alphabet. “A is for awake,” announces the narrator. “B is for bedtime.” But our hero wants B to be for banana; the narrator points out that this is a bedtime book. Banana is not having any of that and suggests that C should be for Banana (Captain Banana the pirate, that is). Still, Banana bathes (“D is for Dirty”), uses the potty (“G is for Going”), and brushes their teeth (“I is for Incisors”)…but when the narrator announces “L is for Listening,” Banana has finally had enough and takes over, pencil in hand, and crosses out all the bedtime words, replaces them with more playful fare, and acts each out in Banana-edited illustrations. Q isn’t for quiet but quarterback. R isn’t for relax but robot. Humoring Banana, the narrator announces that “S is for Scary,” as in stories. Banana backs down, frightened, and the bedtime words return and end with one “zonked” Banana. Exuberant Banana has as much fun taking control of the alphabet as they did taking over counting. Lourenço returns with digitally created illustrations full of Banana’s bonkers energy and plenty of color. Speech balloons are used throughout as Banana argues with the narrator. Banana might end up tuckered out, but little listeners will probably be supercharged with giggles. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An a-peeling alphabet adventure.