Al Perkins (1904–1975)

Upon reading this book I was trying to figure out why this book was banned. It was a story of monkeys. They showed off their fingers, they played the drums and other instruments, and talked with friends. Why was this book banned? Apparently, someone thought that this book was associating African culture with monkeys. I don’t see this because the moneys do more than play drums, they also play banjos and fiddles. I don’t think African culture when I think banjos and fiddles. I think deep show more south and dueling banjos, and the Hatfields and McCoys comes more to mind. So, I do not see the connection of this story to African culture and do not feel it’s racist. HOWEVER, anyone who does feel that, has valid feelings, and I will not denigrate that. If someone feels that way, then yes, this is a problematic book. But should this book be banned… No. show less

There's something slightly cracked about the whimsy here. "EAR. EAR. EAR. EAR." It's poised between kids' book and madness. Sure there's all the things we can hear, what fun, but then there's a tug on your ear. ear. ear. ear and it's the man without a face and he'd like to have a word.

Fun read with all the words rhyming. I have never read it before but it was fun. It would be a great book to read with kids and teach them about rhyming. Very silly book though.

The book starts with:
I was the saddest dog you could ever see,
Sad because no one wanted me.
The pet shop window was my jail.
The sign behind me said, "For Sale."

Then the big conflict, he can't dig! The other dogs reject him :-(
The others said, "Duke may be big,
But he's no good! He cannot dig."
They stuck their noses in show more the air.
They walked away. The left me there.

Then when he can dig, he has an even bigger problem....

It would be a fun book to read to kids. Now if I can just get some grandchildren to read it to... show less

This is worthy and spirited, although its manic energy and island rhythms would have been better served if it came with, like, a set of bongo drums (ditty drums ditty drums drums drums). But one makes do, of course, especially if one is a one-year-old one with a fine set of hands hands fingers thumbs for bashing and a throat for monkey calls.