'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday 22 April 2010

Review: 10 Yellow Bananas

Title: 10 Yellow Bananas

Author: Helen Ross

Illustrator: Dee Texidor

Publisher: Little Steps Publishing, $16.95

Format: Paperback

Language: English

ISBN: 9781921042898

For ages: 4-8

Type: Picture book

About: "Ten yellow bananas, clutching teddy bears, race through the doorway, then nine sleepy pears..." So begins the story of ten different fruits involved in a frantic, crazy chase. Led by the ten yellow bananas who stole the nine pears' teddy bears, we follow them as they gather lemons, apples, cherries, pineapples, kiwi fruit, grapes, watermelons and one little berry. But watch out for the near-disaster at the end!


With Helen Ross' signature of laugh-out-loud, clever rhymes, this book takes children on a reverse-counting escapade that should come with a warning: kids will want it read to them over and over and over again.

The other beauty of the story is the educational aspect. Young children will love naming the different fruits, and as they grow older they will recognise the colours and then begin counting with you.

To be honest, I wasn't going to review this book just yet. It arrived in the mail today and my plan was to look at it over the weekend and then post a review next week. But then my daughter spotted it. The cover is completely irresistible to any child, with its bright colours and beautifully expressive fruit faces. And this follows right through the book, adding to the charm of the rhyme and the pace and fun of the adventure.

And then, once I'd read it myself, I just had to share it with everyone straight away!

Please note that this is a review of the 2010 release of 10 Yellow Bananas, which is slightly different to the original 2006 version.

Author website

This book can be bought online