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Mark Jumpstart January with our top fruit and veg themed picture books

Written by · Published Dec 19, 2019

Orange Pear Apple Bear, Gary's Banana Drama, Colin and Lee: Carrot and Pea

Whether your little one loves or hates fruit and vegetables, we guarantee these top picture books will go down a treat.

Jumpstart January is our month-long celebration of everything we do to improve your wellbeing. Find out more about Jumpstart January →

Hugo Makes a Change, by Scott Emmons & Mauro Gatti

“Hugo the vampire craves red, juicy meat for every meal! But when his eating habits leave him feeling sluggish and bored, he goes on the prowl for something new. After trying fruits and vegetables for the first time, he discovers the joys of a more balanced diet.”

Eat Your People!, by Lou Kuenzler & David Wojtowycz

“Do you think vegetables are yucky? Just wait until you see what Monty the Monster has on his plate!

“Monty definitely does NOT want to eat his people. He’ll eat his vegetables - every single one! - but he will not eat his people. This hilarious tale of fussy eating in the Monster household is guaranteed to get children giggling.”

We Eat Bananas, by Katie Abey

“Is that a flamingo munching on a banana? What about that hippo flipping pancakes? And why is that llama dressed as a lemon? There’s even a shark slurping a fruit smoothie. All the animals are eating their favourite foods in their own hilarious way. So whatever you’re eating today - tell us how it should be done! This delightfully funny book will have parents and children giggling together as they find their favourite animals eating the silliest meals.”

Give Peas a Chance, by Rob Biddulph

“It’s dinner-time for Nancy but oh no. PEAS! Not-so-keen-on-peas Nancy needs to come up with a way to ditch those little green balls. Luckily, she’s got a peas-plot up her sleeve. But is she quite as clever as she thinks?

“Meet Nancy, Otto, Winnie and all the other dinosaur juniors, as they traverse life’s first ups and downs - all in Rob’s trademark rhyme filled with warmth and humour.”

That Fruit is Mine!, by Anuska Allepuz

“Five goofy, greedy elephants are up against five teeny-tiny mice in this picture book parable for modern times. One day, deep in the jungle, five elephants discover a new tree - a tall tree - and, atop that tree, the most mouth-wateringly delicious fruit any of them had ever seen. ‘MINE!’ each elephant cries. ‘Mine, mine, mine, mine, MINE!’ But who will get there first? And will the elephants spot the five tiny mice, planning and plotting, slowly approaching that tip-top branch?”

Fruits in Suits, by Jared Chapman

“It’s time to go swimming, and everyone has a different swimming suit: one pieces, two pieces, old-fashioned ones, suits for babies and parents… But Dad’s business suit just won’t do at all.

“The pear likes a one-piece suit, while Pineapple wants to grab attention with a futuristic costume and hi-vis goggles. They all prefer different activities, too. One of the grapes is partial to a scuba dive, while Strawberry would rather bask in the shade with a big floppy hat and get stuck into a good book.”

Colin and Lee: Carrot and Pea, by Morag Hood

“Lee is a pea. All of his friends are peas; except Colin. Colin isn’t a pea.

“And so begins the deliciously funny story of two very different friends: a small green pea and a tall orange carrot stick. Colin the carrot can’t do everything the peas can, but he has some special carrot-y qualities that make him a very good friend to have.”

Gary’s Banana Drama, by Jane Massey

“Gary is desperate for a banana. Could that be one poking over the wall? No! It’s a fancy lady’s hat! Is that a banana whizzing through the air? OUCH! NO! It’s a boomerang from Billy’s show! Where ARE all the bananas? Alone and hungry, Gary is about to give up until… WAIT! Could it be… the BIGGEST BANANA IN THE WORLD?”

Kitchen Disco, by Clare Forges & Al Murphy

“When the sun goes down, the Kitchen Disco starts up - and all the fruit in the fruit bowl come out to play. There are lemons who break-dance, tangerines who twirl and some very over-excited apples.”

Avocado Baby, by John Burningham

“The Hargraves family are plagued by bullies. However, when their new baby discovers avocado, he develops super strength and endurance and puts the bullies in their place.”

Each Peach Pear Plum, by Allan & Janet Ahlberg

In this book with your little eye, take a look and play I spy - so starts the classic story from best-selling author/illustrator team, Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Each Peach Pear Plum introduces favourite fairy tale characters, such as Tom Thumb and The Three Bears and, with a poem on each page hinting as to what is hiding in the picture, children are encouraged to participate and follow the story themselves.”

Banana!, by Ed Vere

“Getting what you want can be tricky, especially if you don’t ask in quite the right way. Follow one little monkey’s journey through many emotions as he tries every trick in the book to get hold of his friend’s banana, until he finally hits on the magic word - please!”

Orange Pear Apple Bear, by Emily Gravett

“Orange Pear Apple Bear, by award-winning author/illustrator Emily Gravett, is a beautifully simple and engaging picture book. By rearranging just four words, she creates a series of playful images which are a sheer joy - and intensely satisfying. The loose energy of the pencil and watercolour pictures will be irresistible to adults and children alike.”

Sophie Green

Sophie Green

I work for the Suffolk Libraries stock team. I also write children’s fiction, short stories and comedy. Visit my website.