Blog Tour, Review, Giveaway, and Author Interview
Join us for this tour from June 14 to July 9, 2021!
Details
Book Title: BOB THE BANANA GOES BAD by Steve Petzinger and Selai Akbar-Hussain
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Books
Release date: June, 2021
Content Rating: G for everyone.
Description
In this heartwarming story, Bob the banana goes on an emotional journey as he worries about going bad before he can be of any use to Mr. Abbot. With the help of his friends, he learns to hold on to the hope that he will get picked by Mr. Abbott before it is too late. Through their combined support and perseverance of his refrigerated friends, Bob may be just the right item for Mr. Abbot someday.
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Target
Mascot Books
author website
add to Goodreads
My Thoughts
If you have a little one who likes Josh Funk’s Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, this book is sure to be a hit. 
Bob the Banana is surrounded by bright neighbors with like names: Patrick the potato, Bernie the bagel, Jerry the jello, and April the apricot, just to name a few. Everyone seems to be carefree and positive but Bob. And Bob is fast becoming full of anxiety. Why?
“I’m never going to be eaten!” yelled Bob the banana. “I’ve gone bad!”
The illustrations are bright and very kid-friendly as the contents of the fridge visit back and forth. The various emotions are bound to attract both young and old. And while the very young probably won’t understand some of the humor, the older kids will chuckle at the play on words.
“Whew! I’m plum tuckered out,” said Paul the plum.”
My Concerns
Perhaps a child won’t question it, but this adult wonders why you’d ever add a “rotten” (this is the homeowners word for Bob, not mine) banana to a blender drink. I think a better word might have been used.
My Final Thoughts
The various ingredients in the fridge can help the very young ones recognize and learn names. Also, the friends surrounding Bob can be a discussion point. Did they help him deal with his concern?
All in all, I would recommend this cute picture book. This author(s) / illustrator combination is a win-win for adults and kids.
My thanks to IRead Book tours and the author for a copy of this book and the ability to post my thoughts.
Rating: ☆☆☆1/2
Meet the Authors
and an interview with Steve Petzinger
Steve Petzinger first created the concept for Bob the Banana when he was just twelve years old. His mother kept the original version, and over the years, his family urged him to publish it. In 2020, he decided to finally take their advice.
- Where did you get your inspiration for Bob the Banana Goes Bad?
- I read a lot of funny comic books like Garfield and The Far Side when I was younger. When I was given the assignment of writing a children’s book in the sixth grade, I took a single page comic about a food going bad and turned it into an entire book. My goal was to entertain the reader through funny illustrations and plays on words.
- Is writing your profession or do you do something else?
- My primary profession is Software engineer. In that part of my life there is not as much room for creativity and spontaneity. That’s why I like to channel my creative energies into projects like writing.
- What time of day do you prefer to write?
- I find that I write best late at night when I am unwinding from the day, and early in the morning when my mind is fresh and rejuvenated.
- How often do you write?
- Even though it sometimes seems like I don’t have enough time between my full-time job, exercising and taking care of things around the house, I still make the time to write every couple of days.
- Who do you consider the main characters?
- Other than Bob, of course, a couple other characters stand out to me. Arvid is important because he first discovers that Bob is going bad and remains loyal to him. Bernie the bagel is also an important character because he rallies the other foods and keeps them on track
Petzinger sought help from his close friend, Selia Akbar-Hussain, who has been teaching preschool for eight years. She has read hundreds of children’s books and is knowledgeable about children’s books content. After months of hard work, their dreams of publishing a children’s book came true.
connect with the authors: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
June 14 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
June 15 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 16 – I Read Kid’s Books – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 16 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
June 17 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
June 18 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 21 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
June 22 – Lisa Everyday Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 22 – The Bespectacled Mother – book review
June 22 – @twilight_reader – book review
June 23 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
June 24 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 25 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – book review / giveaway
June 28 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
June 29 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 30 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
June 30 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review
July 1 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
July 2 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
July 2 – Lisa’s Reading – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
July 6 – Reading is My Passion – book review
July 6 – Because I said so- adventures in parenting – book review / guest post / giveaway
July 7 – Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway
July 8 – Laura’s Interests – book review / author interview / giveaway
July 9 – The Adventures of a Travelers Wife – book review / guest post / giveaway
July 9 – The Book Review Crew – book review / guest post / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:
BOB THE BANANA GOES BAD Book Tour Giveaway
