Guild Of Geniuses [Hardcover]

Dan Santat (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A funny, empathetic (and GREAT-LOOKING) picture book about the cure for feeling neglected.

Are you having a bad weather day? You should try Dr. Lancaster's Portable Weather Machine. Want to rise above it all? Check out Dr. Torrance's Anti-Gravity Belt. Yes, THE GUILD OF GENIUSES has created many fantastic inventions to satisfy humanity's most pressing needs...
So when Fred's best friend Mr. Pip seems a little down, Fred knows just who to call. The Guild introduces Mr. Pip to other monkeys (in case he was lonely) and throws him a parade (so he can feel important). But it turns out Fred may hold the solution after all -- and he doesn't have to be a genius to be a good friend.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–Mr. Pip, a monkey, has a birthday gift for his actor friend. However, because Frederick is so famous, he is showered with plenty of fabulous presents ranging from a solid-gold car to dinner at the White House. When Mr. Pip becomes morose about his meager offering, Frederick takes him to the Guild of Geniuses to discover why he is so glum. The famous doctors brainstorm together and come up with a series of ideas, many of which incorporate their inventions (for example, they try to soothe the monkey with music by having the Unmanned One-Man Band robot play beautiful tunes). However, the scientists are unable to determine what is wrong. The story concludes happily even though the solution is a bit obvious. Bright acrylic cartoon illustrations depict a variety of interesting-looking robots and show these imaginative machines at work. Varying perspectives and bold colors keep the action moving quickly. All in all, the artwork is more intriguing than the pedestrian plot.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Mr. Pip, a monkey, is best friends with dashing actor Frederick Lipton. It's a lavish life, and on Frederick's birthday he receives many gifts, including a solid-gold car. After the festivities, Mr. Pip is so down that Frederick takes him to the Guild of Geniuses to figure out his problem. Inventive is the word here, especially for the artwork. Using acrylic and mixed media (along with "a little elbow grease and the right side of the brain"), Santat creates a fabulous world filled with kitschy delights--from spaceships and turntables to cycle-riding bears. And that's just on one spread. All sorts of incredible, futuristic inventions are used to cheer Mr. Pip, but it's not until Frederick reappears at home and Mr. Pip gives him the birthday present that got lost in the shuffle that all is well again. The story needs a little more, well, story, in the second half, but the cornucopia of images detracts from the lack.^B Some will recognize elements of Maira Kalman and William Joyce's artwork, but Santat is freshly his own. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439430968
• ISBN-13: 978-0439430968
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,692,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

One day a year he is Santa Claus, but the other 364 days Dan Santat
writes and illustrates children's books.

He is also the creator of Disney's animated hit, "The Replacements"

Dan graduated with honors from the Art Center, College of Design.

He lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, a rabbit, a bird, and one cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done book, March 2, 2005

By 

E. Fox (Oregon Coast USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guild Of Geniuses (Hardcover)

This book is a work of art: the illustrations are fresh and funny, and help to engage and pull the reader through the somewhat plodding story of a pet monkey who has difficulty getting one-on-one time with his master. The plot feels dreamlike, and the wonderfully creative illustrations help maintain this milieu. This would make a great read-aloud or read-alone for the younger set, with a bit of interpretive help on the terms like "guild" and "back to the drawing board". This is a remarkable first book for the author, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for kids, and won't rot adults' teeth, October 5, 2004

By 

Adam Rakunas (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guild Of Geniuses (Hardcover)

First, full disclosure: Dan Santat illustrated my short novella, "Greaseguns & Feathers," so I'm already predisposed towards his graphic work. However, I hadn't read any of his words until this book was published, and he's just as talented with a story as he is with art.

"The Guild of Geniuses" is clever without being self-aware, and cute without being saccarine. The illustrations are detailed and highly stylized, but none of that compares to the sheer fun of this book. Who doesn't like monkeys in spacesuits and benevolent scientists with fezzes? Your kids will enjoy this book, and you'll enjoy reading it to them. 'Nuff said.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silly, wacky illustrations!, June 2, 2005

By 

E. S. Will "a new leaf" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guild Of Geniuses (Hardcover)

This review first appeared in the "Ephrata (PA) Review":

Not even the Guild of Geniuses, which advertises "Problems Solved in a Jiffy. No Question Too Difficult. Win a Prize if You Stump Us!," can figure out why Mr. Pip, is so sad.

Mr. Pip, a monkey, is the companion of the famous actor Frederick Lipton. He's been down since Lipton's birthday, when extraordinary gifts for the celebrity poured in from all parts of the world and there was no time for Mr. Pip to give Frederick his gift.

Santat's colorful pages are alive with silly people and wacky inventions in action, and he doesn't overlook whimsical details. When not poring over the pictures, children will feel proud that they can figure out what's wrong with Mr. Pip, even if the geniuses can't. The story is also a gentle reminder to adults that children, like monkeys, thrive on personal attention and time with the important people in their lives.