Monkey and Me

Gravett, Emily. 2008. MONKEY AND ME. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1416954570 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-K]

REVIEW
In Emily Gravett’s newest picture book we meet a young girl and her toy-monkey. They make a great pair. The girl and her monkey recounting their day at the zoo is pure and simple fun. This book has everything that’s needed for a successful picture book: repetitive text, rhythmic text, fun premise, interactive opportunities, and charming illustrations. The refrain of the book—the pattern the story follows—is simple:

“Monkey and me,
Monkey and me,
Monkey and me,
We went to see,

We went to see some . . .”
The next two-page spread will reveal what the two went to see. The illustrations give subtle and some not-so-subtle hints about what the girl and her monkey went to see. Not only do children get to join in the familiar refrain, they also get to participate by guessing what animals the two are going to see next.

CONNECTIONS
Have children act out their favorite animals. Take turns guessing which animal they’re ‘being.’
Choose animal poems to share by poets such as Douglas Florian. Then plan a real or virtual trip to the zoo.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books about zoo animals:
Aliki. MY VISIT TO THE ZOO. ISBN 006446217X
Carle, Eric. 1, 2, 3 TO THE ZOO. ISBN 0698116453
Ehlert, Lois. COLOR ZOO. ISBN 0397322593
Jay, Alison. WELCOME TO THE ZOO. ISBN 0803731779
Seuss, Dr. IF I RAN THE ZOO. ISBN 0394800818

By Becky Laney