If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone

by Gideon Sterer, Emily Hughes (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new favorite of mine that I’ll be giving for gifts when needed. Silly and whimsical, but with a heartwarming message about making friends. Illustrations are perfect with the text. The book gives off cozy and warm vibes.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

     OMG, this book. With a lilting text reminiscent of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie..., Sterer's new book is cute, sweet, imaginative, and moving. It seems silly at first, but there is something heartwarming about not being afraid to pick up the phone and actually speak to another being, without texting or Facetime, just you and the voice of another. It reminds me so much of my own childhood and discovering my best friend was just like me, that I could connect with my future husband for hours with just his voice. A great book for kids to learn to embrace their imaginations, learn to connect with their voice, and to not fear those first moments of turning a stranger into a friend.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Clarion Books through Edelweiss+.
Sterer offers readers the chance to use their imagination as this young child uses a banana to talk with a gorilla somewhere in the jungle. The author takes readers through possible steps to build a friendship by asking questions and sharing information about each other. I appreciate the way the friendship builds to include others as well and how the story ends with them visiting and growing. The artwork is realistic and captures the various locations.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well we just ADORE this book!
First off, I love the illustrations. They feel so classic and comforting, and I was drawn in instantly to the expressive characters.

The format of the story reminded me of "If you give a mouse a cookie"- and the cause and effect that happens, in this case, if you call a gorilla on the phone.

It is whimsical, humorous, and also heartwarming- all the things we love about a great children's book!

Will be instantly reading it with my students in library classes today :)

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

lets fucking gooooooo for some developmentally appropriate SEL in a non moralistic way that doesnt beat the reader over the head. and HUMOR. going to try this (well an abbreviation of it) at storytime on monday. with props 😈

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can just see this book at storytime with every child holding a banana to their ear. This is just so fun!

[KM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, imaginative, and tender! A new favorite read, and sure to be a modern classic!

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny. For a small group, they can answer the questions about favorite color, etc. plenty of animals to point out. Just a good, solid storytime read.

[Syntha Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much perfection in a picture book

[Marian Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is RAD. I haven't read it yet at storytime but I'm going to figure out a way to do a bananas storytime and it's going to be The Best.