Monkey Business [Hardcover]

Wallace Edwards (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

From a fish opening a "can of worms" to a tap-dancing octopus putting his "best foot forward," these familiar idioms are re-imagined by award-winner Wallace Edwards in hilarious and unexpected ways. To help readers "stay on the ball," the idioms are used in a sentence that accompanies each illustration, and the meaning of each idiom is explained at the end of the book. Every page is so richly illustrated that it is sometimes a challenge to find the hidden monkeys -- some are more easily spotted than others! A playful introduction to idioms, a clever eye-spy book and a gallery of stunning animal portraits, this collection is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As he did in Alphabeasts, Wallace pairs deadpan text with multilayered illustrations that are at once humorous and absurd, likely to elicit grins from both adults and children. His latest title focuses on idioms (a definition of the term appears on the first page), with a cast of anthropomorphic animals set in bizarre situations. All the scenes make jokes that should have easy kid appeal. Owen, the literal "bull in a china shop," unconsciously manages to entwine his horns, tail and cane around several ceramic pieces ("Not again," he sighs). A walrus who "had no intention of sharing his cupcake" sports a candy cane in place of a tusk (a "real sweet tooth"). Attentive readers can also spot a monkey hidden in each scene—these visual tricks and other hide and seek-type games echo Graeme Base's works. Among his more obvious gags, Wallace also inserts references and items aimed squarely at adults, which will assuredly be lost on young readers. Visual impossibilities and intricate patterns tucked into a number of scenes echo Escher, while a "fish out of water" (named Gloria) happens to be riding a bicycle in a nod to Ms. Steinem. The detail and humor that Wallace packs into each scene should help ensure the book won't be just a flash in the pan. All ages.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5–Edwards uses a variety of idioms as a jumping-off point for a collection of elaborate, imaginative illustrations. An alligator, for example, "eats her words" by sweeping books off a shelf directly into her mouth. There's great variety in the watercolor, pencil, and gouache drawings, along with understated humor. The animal characters have human names and subtly amusing facial expressions that fit the silly situations just right. Closer perusal always reveals a bit more. It's obvious that the well-dressed "bull in a china shop" will soon destroy a couple of fine pieces with his horns. Sharp-eyed viewers will spot other dangers presaged by the poor fellow's misplaced cane, wrapping tail, and untied shoelace. For further diversion, at least one monkey is hidden in each full-page picture. In some cases, the relationship between idiom and illustration works very neatly. Quentin the penguin literally "rises to the occasion" when he is catapulted high enough to serve drinks to a giraffe bride and groom. The visual scene is funny, but at the same time actually conveys the sense of the idiom, since the penguin has found a creative way to meet a challenge. Other times, the illustrations have a less direct tie to the meaning of the phrase, but still work as humorous pieces. The idioms are defined at the end of the book, but in this case the main role of the words is to set up an impressive collection of inventive scenes of visual comedy.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press; Second Printing edition (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553374622
• ISBN-13: 978-1553374626
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #589,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comparable to 'Where's Waldo', November 24, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monkey Business (Hardcover)

When you head to bed, you're "snug as a bug in a rug," and when you you tell a secret, you've "let the cat out of the bag." These are just two of the sayings in Wallace Edwards' MONKEY BUSINESS. Filled with some of the most well-known idioms, as well as illustrations that accompany them, MONKEY BUSINESS is sure to be a hit for all of those "thinking" young readers. Don't Forget: Find the hidden monkeys on each page.

Erika Sorocco

Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monkey Business, March 27, 2006

By 

L - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monkey Business (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book to use when working with children on idioms! This book contains just about every idiom I can think of. The pictures portray the idiom as a child would think of it (i.e. dog eat dog world shows a dog eating a hot dog!) but at the very end of the book it tells what each idiom really means. I think this book is appropriate for grades 2 and up. The pictures are all wonderfully done. A great book all around!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monkey Business, December 2, 2005

By 

Susan Knight "midknightoil" (kathleen, ga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monkey Business (Hardcover)

As a former kindergarten teacher of 25 years, this is one of the most unique books I have ever read. My 7 yr old grandson and I were held captive by Edwards' ability to bring humor to two generations with "cliches" and incredible artwork that stimulates the mind of both adult and child. Incredible!