The Sad Banana

The Sad Banana: Written by Rugby Legend, Tim Bateman, Loved by Tamariki Everywhere!

What do professional rugby and children’s storytelling have in common? In The Sad Banana, former professional rugby star Tim Bateman proves they share a powerful connection: resilience, emotional growth, and the courage to overcome life’s challenges. A standout on and off the field, Tim played for the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Māori All Blacks, and the Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan, showcasing not only his athletic skills but also his mental toughness. Now retired from rugby, Tim is channeling his experience as an athlete, teacher, and dad into the Fruit Salad Series, helping tamariki navigate emotions and develop self-confidence in the most delightful way.

The Sad Banana tells the story of Bowie, a young banana who struggles to see the bright side of life. With the support of his mum, Bowie embarks on a heartfelt journey to discover the secret to happiness and learn how to love himself just the way he is. Packed with vibrant illustrations, rhymes, and relatable characters, this story is an entertaining way to introduce kids to the concepts of gratitude, resilience, and emotional regulation.

Why We Love It

Tim Bateman’s remarkable journey from professional rugby fields to writing colorful children’s books adds incredible depth to The Sad Banana. His time as an athlete taught him about facing challenges, bouncing back, and embracing one’s emotions—valuable lessons he now shares with tamariki through this series. As someone who understands the highs and lows of life firsthand, Tim offers a unique perspective that makes this book not just fun, but deeply meaningful for families.

What Results Have We Seen?

Bowie’s struggles—and triumphs—help kids learn that emotions are normal, differences are okay, and asking for help is a sign of strength. Even better, the fruit characters and their “juicy” lessons provide a perfect kōrero point during kai prep or mealtimes!

Parents and teachers have seen tamariki deeply connect with Bowie’s journey, learning to identify and process their emotions while practicing gratitude and building self-esteem. Bowie Banana’s story sparks important kōrero about feelings, helps children navigate challenges, and empowers them to see the positive side of life—all in a way that’s easy to understand and remember.

How Can You Use It?

• At Home: Share a fun and inspiring bedtime story that helps tamariki explore their emotions. It also makes for a great mealtime connection - Mealtime Connection: Relate the book’s lessons to everyday moments—bananas even provide a natural smile (or frown) as a visual reminder!

• In the Classroom: continue to Introduce emotional literacy and resilience-building in an engaging way and the Tim Bateman’s background makes for a more engaging way for you to kōrero emotions - everyone has them (even rugby stars!) and it helps if we can recognise and talk about them too!

• Therapeutic Tool: Use Bowie’s journey as a starting point to talk about emotions with children in counseling or therapeutic settings.

Reviewed by Anna from the Real Parents team for the Mental Health Foundation, The Sad Banana is a heartwarming resource for teaching tamariki about emotions, gratitude, and resilience. See Anna's review here

Tim Bateman’s journey from rugby icon to children’s author is an inspiring story in itself. By blending humour, heart, and practical strategies, he’s created a series that helps tamariki thrive emotionally and feel comfortable in their own skin. Join Bowie on his search for happiness—grab your copy of The Sad Banana today and give your tamariki the tools they need to shine! And check out The Lonely Lemon too for more of this super series!