Two Little Monkeys

Aping the format of the classic nursery rhyme "Two Little Dickie Birds," Fox's variation features two small monkeys "playing near a tree,/ one named Cheeky,/ one named Chee." The monkeys escape from a prowling animal by climbing up the tree to safety ("Scramble up, Cheeky!/ Scramble up, Chee!/ Scramble up/ that big old tree"). They tremble and hide, but when one of the monkeys peeps out to get a good look at the leopard ("Ooooooh... Scary!"), a near-fall necessitates a jump to a second tree, where the monkeys are finally safe and sound. The repetition, lively meter, and ample drama in Fox's (Let's Count Goats!) verse will easily keep young readers' attention at storytime. Barton's (The Ring Went Zing!) grey long-limbed monkeys have a decidedly toddlerlike resemblance, their faces readily transmitting their glee and fear at various points in the story. While the delicately detailed watercolor illustrations perhaps do not make the climactic fall/leap as clear as it could be, and the second tree appears out of nowhere, readers will still have a good sense of what's at stake in this bit of animal-kingdom drama. Ages 4-8. (May)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-K--This playful picture book told in rhyme invites youngsters to explore language through repetition and active sight clues. Cheeky and Chee are cavorting around a tree when they notice a jaguar prowling in the grass. They scurry up the branches and hide in the leaves, and cleverly find a way to escape the danger. The crisp, succinct text is carefully crafted with a few lines on each page, making it perfect for young audiences with short attention spans. The fresh watercolors predominantly done in light blues, greens, oranges, and browns provide the feel of the savanna on a hot day. The facial expressions on the monkeys radiate happiness through their eyes and mouths, or fear as they hold each other close in the treetop camouflaged from the scary jaguar. Tailor-made for one-on-one reading and group sharing.--Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Mem Fox has produced another story in rhyme that will encourage language development among even the youngest of readers.... The repetition of certain words and phrases contributes to the accessibility of this story, and young children will chime in.... Barton's art captures mischievous grins on the little monkeys, which gives them an anthropomorphic presence. This jaunty adventure must be added to the Fox bibliography."

—Library Media Connection, Recommended