EARLY/BEGINNING READER

Bad Banana: Ready-to-Read Level 2

by Michael Rex (text) & illus. by Michael Rex
S. & S./Simon Spotlight. (Ready-to-Read). Jan. 2026. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781665962131. K-Gr 2
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K-Gr 2–This early reader follows a banana that bemoans its rotting fate as it goes from a sharp-looking yellow banana to a spotted, squishy brown banana. In the end, the overripe fruit is made into banana bread, and proclaims, “I’m a good banana!” The text is not emerging reader–friendly. There are contractions, new words on every page, and speech bubbles in addition to the primary narrative text. The banana becomes increasingly bad, rotten, and disgusting the browner its skin becomes. On the final page, when the banana declares himself a “good banana,” its skin is once again unblemished and yellow, free of any brown.
VERDICT There are many books with more early reader–appropriate text and less problematic storylines and illustrations. Not recommended for purchase.
Reviewed by Jessica Trafton , Nov 14, 2025

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