Monkey Business [Hardcover]

J. Otto Seibold (Author), Vivian Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Space Monkey, a former astronaut who has traded his pressure suit for the pinstripes of big business, is eagerly awaiting delivery of his company's one-millionth product. When the product is claimed as a home by a tiny squatter, Space Monkey is forced to come up with a plan to get the "bugs" out of his merchandise. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A chimp named Ham was the first simian in space, and when he returned to earth, he went to live at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. But what if he'd capitalized on his fame by starting a business-a Monkey Business, if you will? This quirky story, told by "Mr. Lunch" team Seibold and Walsh, imagines Ham's alter ego, Space Monkey. Soon after splashdown, Space Monkey starts using a supercomputer to manufacture a geometrical product that resembles a cubist cupcake ("Although he wasn't sure what it was, it turned out to be tremendously popular"). It's up to an antennaed pink bug named Penelope to discover a purpose for the angular objects-which, activated by a TV remote control, open into tiny apartments. The amusing, if convoluted, plot takes second place to the deftly manipulated computer-generated imagery. The asymmetrical, clean-edged images-in a peculiar techno-palette of olive-brown, brassy yellow, rust-orange, light blue and pink-are a far cry from conventional pencil drawings. Pictograms and letters decorate the cityscapes, lending a futuristic feel. A jazzy linking of computers, literacy and even America's space program. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?The creators of that canine bird-chaser Mr. Lunch introduce another amazing animal. Having achieved fame as an "early astronaut," Space Monkey returns to Earth to make his mark as an entrepreneur. However, his cherished millionth product is lost in transit. Penelope the bug discovers the "lost thing" and, believing it to be a house, settles in. Eventually, the product is returned. With some effort and communication, a happy ending is enjoyed by all. Once again, Seibold's innovative, computer-generated visuals fill the pages with energetic images. The muted colors and stylized cartoon design create a distinct 1950s feeling. As in their earlier books, dry, zany humor and social commentary are abundant, resulting in a somewhat adult tone. The plot is filled with twists, turns, and slides, but the effect is not as successful as in Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride (1993) and Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe (1994, both Viking). Both story line and humor seem a bit fuzzy, lacking the sharp wit found in the other titles. Although this book will not have wide appeal, Seibold and Walsh have a following, and their fans will want to meet Space Monkey.?Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670863939
• ISBN-13: 978-0670863938
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,880,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This's AMAZING contemporary artwork!!, January 9, 2002

By 

New Era Preschool (Taibei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monkey Business (Hardcover)

Kids LOVE looking at the pictures, and they are ideally suited for kids as well -- large, simple shapes, simple colors, and liberally insertions of text into the picture. The stories are likewise engaging, with contemporary plotlines outlining contemporary themes in a contemporary world of fantasy. My preschool students really love listening to the stories as they're told, and try to imitate the artwork in their spare time. A big thumbs up on this one, and all the other Seibold books!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monkey Business, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Monkey Business (Hardcover)

This book was pure antilogic! I loved every minute of it. Every kid I know would love every minute of it, every adult I know would love every minute of it (except for minute 7 - because that's the minute it ends).