Banana Fingers and Fairy Knees

Grandfathers are, on the whole, pretty amazing blokes. Martinborough children’s author Phillip Percy definitely thinks so. “If you are lucky enough to have spent time with your grandfather, you’ll know that the things he does and the way he does them have rubbed off on you as a person”. Classic one-liners, tall stories about when he was a boy, particular (and peculiar) eating habits, and ingenuity are some of the common traits Kiwi granddads have. Phillip has captured a series of classic granddad memories in his latest book Banana Fingers and Fairy Knees.
“Dad, who is chief illustrator of our books, had been bugging me for a while to write another book”, Phillip explains. “He might not have been so encouraging if he’d realised that he would be the inspiration for the main character!” But Phillip’s father (and grandfather of Phillip’s two children), Dale Percy, rose above the anxiety that comes with self-portraiture to produce another book full of wonderful illustrations in his now iconic style.

The book’s title is drawn from one of the poems that observes how granddad’s thick banana-like fingers have surprising dexterity when doing things like playing a piano – his finger tips are like wee fairy feet, and his knuckles like fairy knees. “I wanted to capture, in an entertaining way, the very human aspects of grandfathers like their hardworking hands, their habits, and the way they are so comfortable in their own skins”, Phillip says. “This book is written to make people laugh whether they are three or eighty three years old.”

Phillip hopes that this book will strengthen connections between the generations. “No matter how old readers are, I hope this book encourages children and grandparents to spend more time together, and that it brings back fond memories of grandparents who have already passed”.
Banana Fingers and Fairy Knees, as well as Phillip and Dale’s other books, The Old White Truck and Mr Phelps’ Fish Truck, are available at P&K General Store and The Wine Merchants in Martinborough.