One Monkey Too Many [Hardcover]

Jackie French Koller (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Play is the order of the day for a group of vacationing monkeys determined not to let any silly rules get in their way. But when one monkey too many joins the crowd, everyone's in for some unexpected surprises. With winning rhyme and lively illustrations, One Monkey Too Many captures the outrageous antics of mischievous monkeys who make the most of their holiday--and learn a lesson or two along the way.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A bike is for just one monkey to ride, right? Well, not if another monkey jumps on the handlebars. "Hooray, the two shouted. / We're having such fun. / This bike is far better for two / than for one!" That is, until they hit a bump in the road and monkeys go flying. One Monkey Too Many playfully explores the hazards of loading too many monkeys into a golf cart, canoe, or hotel bed, and finally, into the picture book itself: "Six, said the author. / "This book is for six. / The pages are full, / so no more of your tricks." Even that doesn't stop extra pesky monkeys from sneaking into the picture. Lynn Munsinger's thoroughly charming, expressive illustrations add energy and humor to Jackie French Koller's already vivacious rhymes. Children will love the fact that the monkeys gleefully ignore the warnings of the well-meaning adults, as well as the page-splattering chaos that ensues when one monkey too many is along for the ride. Kids will also enjoy locating the extra monkeys in this buoyant read-aloud romp, making it an excellent counting book. (Ages 3 to 6) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

This mischievous rhyming and counting book revels in excess. Just one more monkey always appears, to crash the bike built for one, to wreck the canoe just right for three and to turn a bed for five into a pillow fight for six. In the last spread, the monkeys jump off the page to deface the book itself: "One monkey too many came sneaking and.../ ...LOOK!/ One monkey too many got into this book!" Munsinger's (Hooway for Wodney Wat, reviewed above) rambunctious, lively art is a joy: the monkeys are blithely bad, and the chaos into which every scenario devolves gives kids plenty of diversions to follow. In each new situation that arises, the artist shows the invading monkey hidden somewhere on the spread. Koller (Mole and Shrew All Year Through) turns the childhood impulse to join in the fun into a tale that will appeal to the imp in everyone. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (March 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152000062
• ISBN-13: 978-0152000066
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #566,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best illustrated children's books ever! Fun!, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: One Monkey Too Many (Hardcover)

The writing is great but the illustrations make the book. The monkeys are adorable and you can make a game out of discussing them with the kids. Lynn Munsinger has done it again!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educators Recommend, February 28, 2004

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Monkey Too Many (Hardcover)

This is one funny book! The story begins with a bear bikeseller telling the monkey, "This bike is for one. / One monkey can ride it, / and one can have fun." True to its title, it doesn't take long for "one monkey too many" to jump on the bike-with predictably disastrous results. "It started to wobble. / It started to pitch. One monkey too many crashed into the ditch!"

Left with a busted bike, the two monkeys are given a cart by a golfing tiger. "Two," said the golfer. / "This cart is for two. / If you're looking for fun, / this is perfect for you." Would have been perfect, that is, if "one monkey too many" hadn't hopped right on.

The story continues in this vein with the monkeys trying out a canoe, an elegant restaurant, and, finally, a large bed.

At story's end, the book's author tells the monkeys, "This book is for six. The pages are full, / so no more of your tricks." Of course, as soon as the author goes out to lunch . . . you guessed it . . . one monkey too many gets into the book-literally-making a huge, hilarious mess all over the last page.

Lynn Munsinger was the perfect choice for illustrating this clever creation. Her pen and ink and watercolor cartoons capture perfectly the rambunctious action and gleeful expressions of the monkeys, as well as the horrified-yet comical-faces of the onlookers.

The book is a delight to read aloud. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and fun to read, May 13, 2005

By 

JBrash (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Monkey Too Many (Paperback)

My son and I first checked this book out of the library, but he kept wanting to read it, so we bought it and it was been one of his favorites ever since. I enjoy reading it to him too. The illustrations are fantastic and the verses are light, flowing and fun to read. The rhythm of the text lures my son into a read-a-thon and we end up reading it not once, not twice but three times or more.