Banana the Monkey

The idea for Banana the Monkey came from a 4th grade class assignment which involved elementary level research and organizational skills. Having trudged through the assignment, little Marc was able to put together a story bound together with his sister's yellow hair ribbon which achieved a "Very Good" grade from his teacher and second place over all in a school drawing.

Through the years, Mr. Hyman, in reading numerous bedtime stories and other books, including his very own Banana the Monkey to his older daughter Jacqueline, was often prodded with the suggestion, "Daddy, you should really get this book published" to which he found an eloquent way to say, "Thank you, Darlin, that's so sweet of you to say that" but immediately thought to himself, "When do I have time for that and besides who would EVER read that?'

Twelve years later, his little girl, Elina, came along, and was equally proud of her Dad's book.She will soon be 6 and has already written her own version of BTM that she would also like published.

After a career change brought new direction in Mr. Hyman's life, and at the recent [emphatic] suggestion of Sarina, a good friend of his, the stars seemed to align in making Jacqueline's suggestion finally become a reality.

Mr. Hyman is so proud to offer this first of his books to you and he sincerely hopes you and your children both enjoy the story but also that you learn something about and are "prodded" to research more extensively one of the world's rarest and most bountiful treasures that affects us all for good (as long as it remains intact), Amazonia!

Mr. Hyman and his two daughters reside in Olney, Maryland, USA with their cat Lady, their frogs Floppy, Sloppy and Moppy, and their five fish.