Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0440417988, Paperback)
The protagonist of this story is actually human, but at heart (and in costume) he's Monkey Boy. Sooner or later, bedtime arrives for all youngsters, primate or other, but this mischievous redhead will do everything in his power to forestall the moment. He snitches bananas, attempts to use his paste-coated toothbrush on his hair, and swings from the shower rod before being marched into bed by his mother. Mom appears only as a shadow, scolding finger, or lower torso, although it is her perspective and voice we experience: "Monkey Boy, get down from there!" Ultimately, our hero prevails, sneaking a flashlight and yet another banana under the bedcovers.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka's first picture book captures a familiar occurrence in most households with children: the bedtime struggle. Monkey Boy is obsessed with his monkey persona--although no doubt he'll eventually progress into the next natural phase, perhaps Super Boy with a cape or Dinosaur Boy. Whatever his fixation, if he's like most kids, he'll use it to the utmost advantage in order to defend his right to stay up all night, snacking and watching TV. As in David Shannon's No, David!, the mother is an ambiguous figure of power. She looms mysteriously and is capable of tormenting the momentarily vulnerable Monkey Boy: "Of course I'll read you a story... " Her son looks sweetly hopeful. "...after you put these toys away!" Monkey Boy is crestfallen. If there were a sound track, we might hear cruel, maniacal laughter now. Still, before her final admonition to go to sleep, Mom tells her son she loves him, too. (Ages 3 to 5) --Emilie Coulter
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 27 May 2011 02:20:48 -0400)
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Wikipedia in English
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It's time for Monkey Boy to go to bed but first he must take a bath (without climbing the shower curtains!), clean up his toys and brush his teeth (and no more bananas!). Any parent of a toddler or preschooler can relate to the hijinks of a child before bedtime, with or without their trusty monkey pajamas.
Fans of the "No, David" books by David Shannon will love this new board book by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of Punk Farm.
Disclaimer: I received access to a digital advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss. I was asked to write an honest review, though not necessarily a favourable one. The opinions expressed are strictly my own. (