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    Can You Grow a Striped Banana?

    Author Jill Santopolo
    Illustrated by Momoko Abe
    Look inside
    Hardcover
    $18.99 US
    Penguin Young Readers | Rocky Pond Books
    8.9"W x 11.3"H x 0.34"D   | 14 oz | 24 per carton
    On sale Apr 21, 2026 | 32 Pages | 9780593858851
    Age 2-5 years | Up to Kindergarten
    Reading Level: Lexile 490L | Fountas & Pinnell K
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

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    In this cozy read-aloud—with an irresistible mix of humor and tenderness—a mom assures her daughter that while mothers may not be perfect, they’ll always be full of love. The first picture book by the bestselling author of The Light We Lost and The Love We Found.

    Vibrant, adorable illustrations accompany a mother’s explanation to her daughter, who makes outrageous requests that simply can’t be met. “I can’t grow a striped banana. I can’t stretch like a giraffe. I can’t hear an earthworm’s whisper or make a spider laugh,” Mom admits. But the girl’s requests just get sillier, until the funny and touching moment the next day when Mom shows her daughter that she might have to disappoint her sometimes, but she’ll always find a way to demonstrate just how much she loves her.
    "Abe’s lively artwork features plenty of whimsical characters. A litany of love likely to warm parents’ hearts."—Kirkus

    "Imagining scenarios in which an adult acknowledges that they can’t do the impossible, Santopolo, making her picture book debut, and Abe spin the admission into a silly-sweet expression of love. Alongside lilting rhymes, the art’s simple shapes and warm colors play with a child’s dawning awareness that adults aren’t all-powerful."—Publishers Weekly


    "The illustrations beautifully supplement the text with magical depictions that feature hints of reality forkeen observers to discover. Multiple readings are sure to be enjoyed by readers and children as they return for “what if" discussions and to pore over the whimsical details."—Booklist

    "Santopolo delivers a tender and playful ode to a mother’s love. Abe’s colorful, graphic illustrations bring the narrative to life with delightful images. These inventive images complement the text’s playful tone while emphasizing the mother’s loving creativity. A charming and fresh addition to the canon of mother-child picture books, infused with humor, modern twists, and visual creativity. Perfect for story hours or bedtime, this book celebrates love in imaginative and unexpected ways."—School Library Journal
    © Tim Coburn
    Jill Santopolo is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Stars in an Italian Sky, More Than Words, Everything After, and The Light We Lost, which was also a Reese's Book Club pick. Her work has been translated into more than thirty-five languages and has appeared on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Apple, Amazon, and Indiebound bestseller lists. She received a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is also the author of three successful children's and young-adult series and works as the publisher of Philomel Books. Santopolo travels the world to speak about writing and storytelling. She lives in New York City with her family. View titles by Jill Santopolo
    MOMOKO ABE was born in Japan and has been drawing ever since she can remember. At age twenty, she moved to England to study filmmaking, and still works there in the TV and film industry. Avocado Asks is her debut picture book. See more of her work at momokoabe.com and follow her on Instagram at @momokodoodles. View titles by Momoko Abe

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    About

    In this cozy read-aloud—with an irresistible mix of humor and tenderness—a mom assures her daughter that while mothers may not be perfect, they’ll always be full of love. The first picture book by the bestselling author of The Light We Lost and The Love We Found.

    Vibrant, adorable illustrations accompany a mother’s explanation to her daughter, who makes outrageous requests that simply can’t be met. “I can’t grow a striped banana. I can’t stretch like a giraffe. I can’t hear an earthworm’s whisper or make a spider laugh,” Mom admits. But the girl’s requests just get sillier, until the funny and touching moment the next day when Mom shows her daughter that she might have to disappoint her sometimes, but she’ll always find a way to demonstrate just how much she loves her.

    Praise

    "Abe’s lively artwork features plenty of whimsical characters. A litany of love likely to warm parents’ hearts."—Kirkus

    "Imagining scenarios in which an adult acknowledges that they can’t do the impossible, Santopolo, making her picture book debut, and Abe spin the admission into a silly-sweet expression of love. Alongside lilting rhymes, the art’s simple shapes and warm colors play with a child’s dawning awareness that adults aren’t all-powerful."—Publishers Weekly


    "The illustrations beautifully supplement the text with magical depictions that feature hints of reality forkeen observers to discover. Multiple readings are sure to be enjoyed by readers and children as they return for “what if" discussions and to pore over the whimsical details."—Booklist

    "Santopolo delivers a tender and playful ode to a mother’s love. Abe’s colorful, graphic illustrations bring the narrative to life with delightful images. These inventive images complement the text’s playful tone while emphasizing the mother’s loving creativity. A charming and fresh addition to the canon of mother-child picture books, infused with humor, modern twists, and visual creativity. Perfect for story hours or bedtime, this book celebrates love in imaginative and unexpected ways."—School Library Journal

    Author

    © Tim Coburn
    Jill Santopolo is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Stars in an Italian Sky, More Than Words, Everything After, and The Light We Lost, which was also a Reese's Book Club pick. Her work has been translated into more than thirty-five languages and has appeared on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Apple, Amazon, and Indiebound bestseller lists. She received a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is also the author of three successful children's and young-adult series and works as the publisher of Philomel Books. Santopolo travels the world to speak about writing and storytelling. She lives in New York City with her family. View titles by Jill Santopolo
    MOMOKO ABE was born in Japan and has been drawing ever since she can remember. At age twenty, she moved to England to study filmmaking, and still works there in the TV and film industry. Avocado Asks is her debut picture book. See more of her work at momokoabe.com and follow her on Instagram at @momokodoodles. View titles by Momoko Abe

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