If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone

By Gideon Sterer, Emily Hughes

“This delightfully silly story subtly guides kids through the art of broaching new friendships and careful listening.” — The Washington Post

A shy child reaches out to a gorilla on a banana phone in this love letter to making friends from unexpected places. If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone is silly, wise, and surprising all at once.

If you make a call from a banana phone, who will answer? What will you talk about? Will you share secrets or ask questions? No one knows what will happen, really. This very silly story about two friends from very different places celebrates the joy and wisdom that comes from reaching out.

Go ahead, pick up a banana and make a call. You’ll be glad you did.

ISBN: 9780063375222
Imprint: Clarion Books
On Sale: Sep 23, 2025
List price: $24.99
No of pages: 48
Trim Size: 8.850 in (w) x 11.300 in (h) x 0.450 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Apes, Monkeys, etc.
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories

Gideon Sterer

Biography

Gideon Sterer is a New York Times bestselling author who grew up in the woods of upstate New York. Not too far away, his parents owned a wildlife discovery center where he would run around after hours and let the animals out. His books include If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone, The Midnight Fair, I Will Read to You, and Treehouse Town.  

Emily Hughes

Biography

Emily Hughes is the award-winning author-illustrator of Wild, The Little Gardener, The Snail, and others. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, Emily Hughes now lives in London.

"This delightfully silly story subtly guides kids through the art of broaching new friendships and careful listening." — The Washington Post

A shy child reaches out to a gorilla on a banana phone in this love letter to making friends from unexpected places. If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone is silly, wise, and surprising all at once.

If you make a call from a banana phone, who will answer? What will you talk about? Will you share secrets or ask questions? No one knows what will happen, really. This very silly story about two friends from very different places celebrates the joy and wisdom that comes from reaching out.

Go ahead, pick up a banana and make a call. You’ll be glad you did.

ISBN: 9780063375222
Imprint: Clarion Books
On Sale: Sep 23, 2025
List price: $24.99
No of pages: 48
Trim Size: 8.850 in (w) x 11.300 in (h) x 0.450 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Apes, Monkeys, etc.
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories

Gideon Sterer

Biography

Gideon Sterer is a New York Times bestselling author who grew up in the woods of upstate New York. Not too far away, his parents owned a wildlife discovery center where he would run around after hours and let the animals out. His books include If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone, The Midnight Fair, I Will Read to You, and Treehouse Town.  

Emily Hughes

Biography

Emily Hughes is the award-winning author-illustrator of Wild, The Little Gardener, The Snail, and others. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, Emily Hughes now lives in London.