The Green Banana Hunt

Kavita's mum is busy with the new baby so it's Mr Akiso's job to cook supper. For a change they agree on green banana soup and Kavita is sent to Mr Singh's stall to buy the bananas. Instead of bananas 'as green as apples and as hard as potatoes' all that's left are ripe yellow ones. Knowing they're not quite right she sets off home, meeting Mrs Mellows on the way, who swaps her melon for Kavita's bananas; Mr Williams exchanges his potatoes and carrots for the melon; Mary and her mum take the vegetables in return for grapes and, finally, next-door-neighbour Mrs Harris just happens to have - guess what - yes, six green bananas! The two swap bags and soon the family are enjoying bowls of rich, spicy soup tasting 'warm as the bright Caribbean sea' and listening to Kavita's story of how she acquired the ingredients. There's warmth in Kavita's local community, in the family relationships and in the glowing illustrations. A nicely rounded tale, with a broad age appeal, which focuses on caring and sharing.