Big Little Monkey - Hardcover

Carole Lexa Schaefer is the author of many acclaimed picture books for children, including DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban, and THE BORA-BORA DRESS, illustrated by Catherine Stock. Carole Lexa Schaefer lives on Camano Island, Washington.

Pierre Pratt has illustrated and written many award-winning books, including THE LADDER, written by Halfdan Rasmussen and translated by Marilyn Nelson, which was selected as an Outstanding International Book by the United States Board on Books for Young People and the Children's Book Council. Pierre Pratt lives in Montreal.

PreSchool-Grade 2—Little Monkey's family is asleep, so the "big little monkey" sets off to explore on his own. He tries to play with the creatures he meets, imitating something they do, but Steady Sloth is too quiet, Proud Parrot too squawky, and Sly Boa too tricky, so he heads back home. He decides that sometimes he is still his "Dear Mama['s]...Little Monkey." Schaefer's text has the style and cadences of a folktale with the effective refrain "bim-ba-lah, bim-ba-lah" appearing as the protagonist swings through the trees. Although at times she injects words such as "hey" into the text, at its best, the language shines as Little Monkey tells the boa: "...I am playing Curl My Tail Around in Tricky Ways. Like you." Pratt's stylized animals, done in sweeping, brightly colored acrylics, are reminiscent of Manya Stojic's work, and the mostly full-bleed illustrations with their color-saturated backgrounds are eye-catching and will carry well in storytimes. Little Monkey is a typical toddler, testing his limits and exploring his surroundings, but ultimately wanting the safety and reassurance of his mother's arms. With a simple text, well-placed page turns, and an accessible story line, Schaefer and Pratt's collaboration is a terrific addition to most collections.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
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