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Once Upon a Banana

Illustrated by David Small

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About The Book

Everyday street signs act as deadpan captions for the slapstick happenings in this ingenious picture book that is hilariously told in street signs. Go!

The sign says: “Put litter in its place.” But someone isn’t paying attention. He drops a banana peel on the ground—and a series of comical slips, spills, and falls are set hilariously into motion. First the grocer, then the painter, next the bicycle messenger, and then—oh, no—not the baby in the carriage! An entire town turned upside down, all by a banana peel!

Caldecott Medalist David Small and award-winning author Jennifer Armstrong have created a roller-coaster ride of a picture book told in rhyming street signs that will tickle and delight readers from beginning to end, over and over again.

About The Author

A. Jesse Jiryu Davis

Jennifer Armstrong is the author of numerous award-winning picture books and novels. Her works include Hugh Can DoChin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat, The Dreams of Mairhe Mehan (a BCCB Blue Ribbon Book), and Black-Eyed Susan. Her first novel, Steal Away, was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Notable book, and a Golden Kite Honor book. Other titles include Pockets, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, Magnus at the Fire, Photo by Brady, and Once Upon a Banana. She lives in New York state.

About The Illustrator

Photo Credit:

David Small is the Caldecott Award–winning illustrator of So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George. He also received Caldecott Honors for The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo. He’s illustrated dozens of other award-winning books, including That Book Woman by Heather Henson and The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, and lives in Michigan with his wife, Sarah Stewart.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (July 23, 2013)
  • Length: 48 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780689859519
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Awards and Honors

  • ALA Notable Children's Books
  • Kirkus Editor's Choice
  • NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
  • Virginia Readers' Choice Award List

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Jennifer Armstrong

More books from this illustrator: David Small