Punky Pineapple by Hilary Rogers and Josh Lefers

Illus. by Pete Petrovic. The Frooties book 3. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781742765983.
(Age:7-9) Themes: Fruit, Missing persons. The Frooties series is jam-packed with crazy fruit, creative and quirky characters and plenty of action in the kitchen. In this third book, Punky Pineapple steps up as the bodyguard of Miss Starfruit. He's a tough character outfitted in his punky jacket, torn t-shirt, tough boots with a stylish tropical mohawk and prickly skin. He's really sweet, perfect on a pizza, amazing as a morning juice and great in a fruit salad.
On the opening night of 'Starfruit Wars', the whole fruit bowl of characters comes out to watch movie star Miss Starfruit's acting. Cue, the Star Wars spoofs, the opening scenes rewritten, Darth Farter and Princess Yummy Bum are main characters. Just before midnight the theatre lights darken and Miss Starfruit disappears. Punky Pineapple recruits Little Chilli, the Cherry Twins, and Banana Dog to help him as 'Frootie Detectives.' They overcome the perils of the Electric Waterfall, the dreaded Bottom Drawer, and the deathly slopes of the Freezy Freezer on their search for the missing star.
Pete Petrovic's amusing cartoon illustrations bring the Frooties to life. What craziness ensues as they dash across the kitchen as they land inside the Electric Waterfall that burns Punky's skin, then being chased by the mad vacuum cleaner and landing amongst the strange creatures that lurk in the Bottom Drawer.
Punky Pineapple has easy to read text, bold text, catchy captions and in your face humour just right for young readers and for reluctant readers. Hil and Joshie explore the importance of helping friends, making choices to do the right thing and also standing up for yourself. A little twisted is the promotion of the healthy benefits of eating fruit!
Rhyllis Bignell