Benji and the 24 Pound Banana Squash is not perfect. But almost perfect. Therefore, the five is a 4.9 rating. I cannot put my finger on why it is not perfect, but it will come to me. The reason I am thinking that it is almost perfect is very much since it has a traditional ending. Instead of making the squash the “dolly” or “the pet” as other books have done, they do what squashes are meant for: they eat it.
The story is, once again, simple. Benji wants to grow the biggest banana squash possible. He waits until the perfect time to plant it. He cares for it. And wants it to grow. However, he needs patience. The seed will take months to be ready. There is nothing bad that happens (so perhaps this is a little unrealistic). However, that makes it be a fun read. I would not mind reading this a few times more. And I am sure your child will be asking for that. Multiple times.
The illustrations have that realistic cartoon look. They are pleasant to look at without being too over the top. They help keep the lightheartedness of the story. And they are bright and colorful, yet, again not over the top and are not overpowering the story itself. The quirkiness of Benji comes out without him being too “much” to handle.
In August of this year, Alan Fox and Eefije Kuijl will have Benji and the Giant Kite. I usually am not one to look forward to a sequel or companion book to a picture book, but this time I am.