Second Banana - by Blair Thornburgh (Hardcover)

About the Book

When a girl who feels rotten about playing Second Banana in the annual food and nutrition pageant learns that the girl playing First Banana has stage fright, she suggests a solution to both problems.

Book Synopsis

In the picture book Second Banana, a girl is disappointed with her "rotten" role in the school play--but the show must go on.

The kids in Mrs. Millet's class are putting on their annual nutrition pageant. Every kid plays a food. Every kid gets a line. It is a big deal. But this year, there aren't quite enough parts for everybody. So the class is cast: Fish, Cheese, Broccoli, Blueberry, Banana, and . . . Second Banana. Second Banana feels rotten. She wants to be the ONLY banana!

In this deliciously original school story, author Blair Thornburgh and illustrator Kate Berube recognize the dreadful disappointment that a casting list can cause--as well as the power of friendship, creative thinking, and a good attitude to turn a rotten situation into one that's quite ap-peel-ing. Showtime!

"Thornburgh's school story about making the best of a less-than-optimal situation and showing kindness and empathy for a new friend will ap-peel (sorry) to young readers and listeners, who will easily identify." --Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

"An appealing picture book for reading aloud." --Booklist

"Punning aside (it's "an a-peeling" part, reports the father), this picture book ticks so many boxes in the realm of social-emotional learning that it will be useful across curricula."--School Library Journal

"The setup gives Thornburgh endless pun possibilities, and the rest of Berube's costumes. . .delight, too. A funny, gentle nudge in the direction of being a better banana."--Publishers Weekly

"Thornburgh's school story about making the best of a less-than-optimal situation and showing kindness and empathy for a new friend will ap-peel (sorry) to young readers and listeners, who will easily identify."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Blair Thornburgh is the author of several books for kids and teens. Her stage credits include "Girl #3" and "Grandma." A former kid herself, she now lives just outside her hometown of Philadelphia.
Kate Berube is a children's book illustrator and writer and the creator of Tater Totter, a zine for children. She is the author-illustrator of Hannah and Sugar and Mae's First Day of School, and lives in Portland, Oregon.