In a peaceful-looking opening scene,
Anna Banana, a little girl with a thick
mane of yellow hair, lies in bed reading a book. Her stuffed-animal friends are
cozily arranged around her pillow, just
so. However, a page turn reveals that the
toys aren’t happy: “Anna Banana! We’re
sleepy!” They attempt various protests
(escaping/singing a lullaby/turning the
light off), but unsympathetic Anna
isn’t having any of it. She barely stops
reading to grab, muffle, and restrain all
six of her friends. “Anna likes to have
ALL her stuffed animals around her.”
Eventually she’s ready to sleep, but her
disgruntled and exhausted roommates
have been pushed too far. Once the
light is turned off—it’s on. The animals
put on a midnight concert; they jump
on the bed; they race one another
across the room. Anna is furious—and
oblivious to the irony: “I WANT TO
SLEEP!” she yells. The cheery cartoon
illustrations are full of expression, and