DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Benny the Bananasaurus Rex

Sarabeth Holden author Emma Pedersen illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Inhabit Media Inc

Published:18th May '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Benny the Bananasaurus Rex cover

If Benny eats too many bananas, he might turn into a Banasaurus Rex—challenge accepted!

A funny and relatable story of a little boy who can be anything he wants to be (whether it’s a dinosaur, or a banana, or both!) with a big imagination and a bit of help from his anaana.

"Deliciously playful and imaginative."—Kirkus

Benny loves bananas. He eats them morning, noon, and night. He even rides a bike with a yellow banana seat. In fact, Benny has a secret, he hopes one day he will turn into a banana! And if there is one thing Benny knows, it’s that with a little imagination anything is possible.

"An engaging and endearing story about a boy who loves bananas and dinosaurs so much that one day using his imagination he turns into a bananasaurus! Through the story, we see Benny’s supportive family, their love and respect for his creativity and the powerful role language plays in connecting people."—Toronto Star

"The book’s silliness is its strength; it will certainly reach imaginative little readers who might themselves be obsessed with a particular creature, costume, or food...Deliciously playful and imaginative."—Kirkus

"Youngsters will enjoy having this book read to them. Teachers/caregivers can use this book with discussions about different types of families."—CM: Canadian Review of Materials


"This entertaining, tongue-in-cheek story about a child’s obsession and the power of imagination is the second picture book by Inuk author Sarabeth Holden. Toronto-based illustrator Emma Pedersen clearly has a field day bringing the story to life, switching back and forth between cute little Benny-boy and his huge scary dinosaur persona, as she seamlessly mixes ordinary family-life and effervescent imagination. A fun read for all ages published by Inuit-owned Inhabit Media, who are committed to promoting fascinating Inuit stories both traditional and new." — The White Ravens


A playful story, this book combines a young boy’s love of bananas with his wild imagination...This story offers a peek into the intergenerational roles of a contemporary Inuit family. This is an entertaining book suitable for any K–3 classroom and is sure to delight a classroom of children who are learning about being active listeners, making personal connections to stories, and that reading is fun.

* Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schoo

  • Winner of Top Recommended Read 2023
  • Winner of Best Books for Kids and Teens 2023
  • Winner of White Raven 2023
  • Winner of Blue Spruce — Forest of Reading 2024
  • Winner of Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

ISBN: 9781772274424

Dimensions: 241mm x 241mm x 25mm

Weight: 150g

28 pages