Little Monkey Says Good Night [Hardcover]

Ann Whitford Paul (Author), David Walker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Never has saying good night been so much fun

Before he goes to bed, Little Monkey insists that he has to say good night to all the performers under the Big Top tent: Ringmaster, Elephant, Strong Man, the Clowns, and, of course, Mama. In the process he becomes part of the performance himself – until finally even Little Monkey can’t delay bedtime any longer, and there is only one last good night to be said – “Good night, Me!”

Pictures packed with funny antics, whimsy, and affection capture all the charm of Little Monkey – while this simple, playful text will have even the youngest listeners chiming in with their own “Good Night!”

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Before he obeys his father's summons to bed, Little Monkey insists he must say good night. So he "scampers to the Big Top tent" where he is catapulted from one circus performer to another, singing out his good night to one and all. The result is a comic progression from Ringmaster to clowns to band to a somersault on the flying trapeze right into Mama and Papa Monkey's arms-accompanied by the roar and applause of the crowd. The whimsical cartoon paintings are essential to the enjoyment of the brief text. Using full- and double-page images framed in white as well as small vignettes, Walker enticingly paces the illustrations so that a page turn is required to reveal Little Monkey's next landing place. Young readers will enjoy guessing that a large backside and small tail belong to Elephant, that what seems like a ball is really Strongman's barbell, and that a ladder leads to the flying trapeze. The "Rat-a-tat!" of the band, the "Boing!" "Crash!" "Swoosh!" "Clunk!" "Swish!" and other sounds of Little Monkey's travels also provide great noisemaking opportunities. Little Monkey and that other star of the circus, Olivia, will provide youngsters with some delightful moments under the Big Top.
Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-K. According to Papa Monkey, it's Little Monkey's bedtime, but the youngster first wants to tell everyone in the Big Top good night. Off he goes into the circus tent, leaping, swinging, and sliding ("Wheee!") from performer to performer, saying good night to Ringmaster, Lion, Elephant, and more, leaving havoc in his wake as well as an appreciative circus audience. Finally, it's back into Papa's arms, and bedtime at last. Playfully arranged action words and sound effects, both in large type, encourage participatory read-alouds, and Walker's illustrations are charming. He works in festive pattern play, abundant circus detail, and sweetly expressive performers, from jugglers to hoop-jumping poodles, all decked out in rainbow-colored, subtly textured costumes. As a bedtime tale, this romp may be a bit too stimulating, but there's no doubt that the circus setting and the playful rendering of the familiar good-night-to-all ritual will capture an audience. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); First Edition edition (April 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374346097
• ISBN-13: 978-0374346096
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ann Whitford Paul graduated from the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University School of Social Work. She became inspired to write picture books after years of bedtime reading to her four children. She's published 19 different award-winning books. Now she gets story ideas from her three grandchildren. For ten years she taught picture book writing through UCLA Extension. She still enjoys teaching how to write picture books. When she isn't writing or teaching, she loves listening to her cat purr, watching spiders spin their webs and following snails' trails. You can learn more about her, download writing tips and classroom activities, and contact her through her web-site www.annwhitfordpaul.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars For our "Little Monkey", Ben, October 10, 2010

By 

Julie (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Monkey Says Good Night (Hardcover)

I bought this book because it reminds me so much of my grandson, Ben, who has been lovingly referred to as "Little Monkey" since shortly after birth. He loves animals and is becoming very skilled at inventing excuses designed to delay bedtime. I thought it a perfect gift for his second birthday and am hoping it will help him settle in saying, "Good night, Me."

2.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't live up to expectations..., November 12, 2009

By 

PRP (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Monkey Says Good Night (Hardcover)

This is a fine book if you want to teach mischief and disobedience. I really liked the first book we got from this author and illustrator If Animals Kissed Goodnight, so I went searching for another book. The illustrations are nice, very calming and soft, great for bedtime. But, the story is about a monkey who creates great havoc and gets snarled at by various circus folk. We still use it occasionally for our 18 month old, but I change the words which will work until he starts to read or recognize the displeased expressions on the characters' faces.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!, March 2, 2005

By 

A. Blumberg (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Monkey Says Good Night (Hardcover)

Both of my kids love this book - it is fun and simple, a "good night" favorite at out house. We liked the illustrations so much we purchased a second one to frame the pages for the baby's room.