Betty Goes Bananas

Newcomer Antony’s picture book stars Betty, a small, stumpy gorilla in a pink dress and a pretty bow. Her fur, drawn with soft graphite, looks velvety enough to touch. Wandering into a spread from the left, she spies a banana, but she can’t open it, and her frustration leads to a toddler-style meltdown: “Betty cried, WAAAAAA!” and sniffled, SNIFF! SNIFF! and kicked, BANG! BANG! and screamed, AAAAAA!” To punch up the force of her emotions, the backdrop is an angry red. Fortunately, there’s a voice of reason in Betty’s life: “There is no need for that,” says Mr. Toucan, who’s not much bigger than the banana, but who has the restraint Betty lacks. “Watch. I will show you how to peel the banana.” Unfortunately, Betty’s the kind of girl who likes to peel her own bananas. Cue another tantrum, and another round of smiles from readers. Betty eventually gets to eat her prize, but her temper still needs work. Antony understands pacing and rhythm, and his gentle black lines capture Betty’s emotions with a few deft strokes; it’s a promising debut. Ages 2–5. (Dec.)