Monkeys and Dog Days (Monkey Readers) - Hardcover

Kate Banks is the author of many award-winning picture books, among them Max’s Words, And If the Moon Could Talk, winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and The Night Worker, winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award. She lives in the South of France.

 

Tomek Bogacki has written and illustrated numerous picture books, including Emily Jenkins’s Five Creatures, a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honor Book. He lives in New York City.

Grade 1–3—This beginning reader features a suburban monkey family of four. Two brothers, Max and Pete, want a dog. Although their parents caution them that "a dog is a lot of work," the kids insist they are good workers. After researching the subject, the family makes a trip to the animal shelter, where they settle on Fudge. Both boys take on their new responsibility with enthusiasm until Pete becomes distracted by his friends. Soon, Fudge considers Max, who feeds, brushes, walks, and plays with her, her sole master. The older boy is chagrined and starts to perform his share of the chores again. The story, divided into four chapters, includes a sprinkling of fun facts about dogs and emphasizes important lessons about responsibility, loyalty, and cooperation. Muted pastel illustrations show the brothers and their new pet. Although the easy-to-read story and art are pleasant, Lori Ries's Aggie and Ben (Charlesbridge, 2006) has more expressive illustrations and humor.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.