Bitter Bananas

A parent might reach for this book when their child has been caught in a lie and is struggling to understand why honesty is important, even when afraid of getting in trouble. It’s a wonderful tool for talking about cause and effect, temptation, and the guilty feelings that come with dishonesty. Based on a Yorùbá folktale, 'Bitter Bananas' tells the story of Baboon, who sets a trap for a thief stealing his fruit, only to create a bigger problem that he tries to hide from his mother. The story gently illustrates how lies, like the sap in the trap, can leave a 'bitter taste'. For ages 4 to 8, it provides a culturally rich and relatable animal story to start a conversation about making mistakes and the relief of telling the truth.