Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business

It took me a long time to figure out what his book is about. Nothing happens---a peddler wants to sell his caps, he nearly loses them, mananges to regain them all, and the story ends with him still trying to sell his caps. There is no growth or change it, at least not in the physical world. If anything, he is hungrier at the end than the beginning. What's changed is understanding---on the part of the reader and, optimistically, on the part of the peddler. We have learned that true communication occurs via actions, not words; especially not words to monkeys, who don't speak the peddler's language. I realized this while sitting in a motivational meeting given by my boss, who was explaining how important it is to stay in touch with show more customers, even if it is to say that we haven't yet done what they wanted. The irony, of course, is that he rarely did this himself. Shakespeare's "my words fly up, my deeds remain below..." came to mind. As did this story. show less

La repetición de este cuento es una forma de mágica. ¿Quién no puede encontrar paz en la rutina del vendedor ambulante? También, cuando los monos copian el sonido de la lengua de los humanos, es un momento para pausar y pensar en toda la inutilidad de vivir una vida tan reglada.

This is a very fun book to read aloud to kids! The repetition of the peddler's "caps for sale!" and the interactions with the monkeys are silly and fun. The illustrations are beautiful, and seem to be reminiscent of the author's Russian heritage.

CONT. REAL. FIC. : Everything that happens in this book is plausible. The monkeys seem to act slyly, craftily, and cunningly, which is how monkeys behave in real-life, as well.

A hat salesman wakes up from a nap to a startling surprise -- all of his wares have been stolen by monkeys! How can the frustrated peddler get his caps back?

This is a classic of children's literature, and I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it. It is humorous and can be interactive in a readaloud with all the various motions (the peddler checking his high lineup of hats, the peddler shaking his finger at the monkeys, etc.). It also has some repetitious phrases, which children tend to enjoy in readalouds. It is a tiny bit on the longer side so it would probably work best with preschool-age and up. The illustrations fit the text nicely.

An engaging classic with bright illustrations and a beautiful surprise. There is simple but descriptive text with pleasing repetition throughout. I'm certain readers would join in and finish phrases before reading them because that's what it's been for generations.

The repetition in looking for his caps after falling asleep under the tree is a wonderful inclusion for reading aloud or to challenge young writers to employ the same tactic to build a story. Where indeed are his cap? I'm just as interested as he is in finding the caps by the time he finishes looking around the illustrations reveal the answer.

There are good sequential plot developments paired with the unexpected. Without the subtitle and the two monkeys hiding on the cover, show more very few readers familiar with the illustrated landscape would expect the monkeys! Good ideas to keep in mind for writing and developing plots for young authors. show less

The peddler carries his caps on his head. When he wakes up from a nap his caps are missing. He looks up and sees a tree full of monkeys wearing his caps. He cannot figure out how to get the caps back and he get frustrated.

This is a classic tale. I liked how the peddler showed his frustration and the monkeys followed suit. It teaches children about imitation. It also got the peddler back his caps. It is a fun, easy read.

This book is probably one of the most well-known children's books for a reason. the main theme of this book is perserverence, resilience, and problem solving. These are the most important things to instill in a young mind. Though the peddler wasn't successful at first, because the monkeys were stealing all of his caps, he was a problem solver and ended up coming up with a humorous resolution. I think this book could even have a bigger meaning to someone who is trying to start a business and a lesson in don't give up, even it doesn't work the first couple times. Good things come to those who wait.