Nee Naw Goes Bananas

Following in the style of The Wonky Donkey, with a rhyming song with a repetitive chorus, this picture book and accompanying CD will appeal to preschoolers. It has a catchy tune and some interesting rhymes, e.g. ‘groovy’ and ‘smoothie’; “mix’ and ‘broomsticks’. The illustrations are detailed and feature the main character, Nee Naw, who is a firetruck and other characters, such as: a policeman, a granny, a couple of children and a monkey sanctuary. This book is the third in a series about Nee Naw.

Notwithstanding that many children will enjoy it, this book does not appeal to me. It doesn’t have a particularly kiwi feel to it. Yes, there are mountains and fields, but the fences are not typical of the New Zealand countryside, nor are monkey sanctuaries. Similarly, trucks full of bananas are unlikely to be careering around on our roads. I am sure that despite my reservations, the craziness of this story and the jaunty tune will appeal to young children.

Title: Nee Naw Goes Bananas

Author and composer of music:Deano Yipadee

Illustrator:Paul Beavis

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 978-1-77543-619-5

RRP: 19.95

Format: paperback

Date of Publication: 2020

Age Range: Picture book -Junior plus CD

Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? No

Reviewer: Carola Crawford, English teacher, Karanga Mai Young Parents’ College, Canterbury

How highly are you recommending this book: Recommended

What’s the book’s opening sentence? There was a dinky little fire truck waiting for calls, while the big, newer engines were playing football.

You can buy this book here