From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-Before he obeys his father's summons to bed, Little Monkey insists he must say good night. So he "scampers to the Big Top tent" where he is catapulted from one circus performer to another, singing out his good night to one and all. The result is a comic progression from Ringmaster to clowns to band to a somersault on the flying trapeze right into Mama and Papa Monkey's arms-accompanied by the roar and applause of the crowd. The whimsical cartoon paintings are essential to the enjoyment of the brief text. Using full- and double-page images framed in white as well as small vignettes, Walker enticingly paces the illustrations so that a page turn is required to reveal Little Monkey's next landing place. Young readers will enjoy guessing that a large backside and small tail belong to Elephant, that what seems like a ball is really Strongman's barbell, and that a ladder leads to the flying trapeze. The "Rat-a-tat!" of the band, the "Boing!" "Crash!" "Swoosh!" "Clunk!" "Swish!" and other sounds of Little Monkey's travels also provide great noisemaking opportunities. Little Monkey and that other star of the circus, Olivia, will provide youngsters with some delightful moments under the Big Top.
Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Booklist
PreS-K. According to Papa Monkey, it's Little Monkey's bedtime, but the youngster first wants to tell everyone in the Big Top good night. Off he goes into the circus tent, leaping, swinging, and sliding ("Wheee!") from performer to performer, saying good night to Ringmaster, Lion, Elephant, and more, leaving havoc in his wake as well as an appreciative circus audience. Finally, it's back into Papa's arms, and bedtime at last. Playfully arranged action words and sound effects, both in large type, encourage participatory read-alouds, and Walker's illustrations are charming. He works in festive pattern play, abundant circus detail, and sweetly expressive performers, from jugglers to hoop-jumping poodles, all decked out in rainbow-colored, subtly textured costumes. As a bedtime tale, this romp may be a bit too stimulating, but there's no doubt that the circus setting and the playful rendering of the familiar good-night-to-all ritual will capture an audience. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
