Case of the Missing Monkey

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-This new easy-reader series features detectives and best friends Bunny Brown and raccoon Jack Jones. In Monkey, someone has taken a glass monkey figurine from the cash-register counter at the diner where Bunny and Jack eat breakfast. After observing the morning regulars, the clever rabbit comes up with reasons to eliminate most suspects and narrows down the accused to only one, allowing readers to follow her reasoning step by step. In Cat, Bunny is trying to get an acrophobic Jack up to her 21st-floor balcony when they are interrupted by Miss Nancy's scream of "Thief!" Again readers witness the sleuth's deductive reasoning as she quickly comes to the appropriate conclusion. Each case is presented in four chapters that set the scene, describe the circumstances, and offer suspects or clues and a solution. The full-color illustrations, rendered in acrylic, gouache, and pencil, capture the cartoonlike animals' animated expressions and poses, particularly of the two detectives as they engage in their frequent friendly banter. Children will enjoy searching the pages for the reported clues and will surely look forward to future installments.Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE CASE OF THE CLIMBING CAT.]--These first two cases in Rylant's mystery series for young readers introduce us to the "High-Rise Private Eyes," a detective agency run by animal friends Bunny Brown and Jack Jones. Narrator William Dufris depicts with humor in the two detectives' lively exchanges--Bunny and Jack seldom agree on how to track down clues--and also captures how differences between the two friends often help them solve cases. Other incidental characters are nicely drawn, too. Dufris's pace is kid-friendly, allowing time for children to read along or just listen while enjoying the amusing illustrations. Fun sound effects (like detective music in between chapter breaks) round out this enjoyable listening experience for children who enjoy a little sleuthing. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Reviewed with Cynthia Rylant's The Case of the Climbing Cat.Gr. 1-2. Rylant's newest series for beginning readers, The High-Rise Private Eyes, features two friends, Bunny (a rabbit) and Jack (a raccoon), who employ their professional sleuthing skills in an urban setting populated by dressed animals. In Climbing Cat, Bunny's neighbor needs help finding her stolen binoculars. In Missing Monkey , the owner of a local diner, The Grill Next Door, asks the detective duo to recover a little glass monkey that has disappeared from his lunch counter. Kids will enjoy Bunny and Jack's banter and bickering as much as the mild mysteries. Karas' droll illustrations reflect the innocence and sly humor of the texts. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Monkey Business

ANNOTATION

While having breakfast at their favorite diner, two detectives, Bunny and Jack, solve a mystery that is not what it seems.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Monkey Business

When a glass monkey is stolen, High-Rise Private Eyes Bunny Brown and Jack Jones are on the job! But will this be one case that's too tough to crack?

About the AuthorCynthia Rylant was awarded a Newbery Medal for her novel Missing May and a Newbery Honor for A Fine White Dust. She is the author of several popular series for the beginning reader, including the "Henry and Mudge" books. Cynthia Rylant lives with her family in Washington State.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Rylant (Missing May; the Henry and Mudge series) delivers two snappy stories full of humor, action and tenderness in the debut titles of this beginning-reader series. From a high-rise "deep in the heart of a big city," unlikely animal pals Bunny Brown and Jack Jones run their busy detective agency, The High-Rise Private Eyes. Their first case requires a stakeout at the Grill Next Door diner, where they observe the regular patrons (one of whom absconded with the cook's prized possession) and enjoy pancakes. Case number two finds the super sleuths figuring out why a cat would "borrow" a pair of binoculars from their neighbor. Though readers may not always follow Bunny's case-solving logic, they will no doubt enjoy the quirky ways Bunny and Jack track down clues and unravel a mystery. Rylant employs lots of rapid-fire, sometimes argumentative exchanges between the friends, demonstrating how different styles and personalities can complement each other. With his plentiful gouache, acrylic and pencil illustrations, Karas adds comical touches of his own, dressing Bunny and Jack in smart outfits appropriate to each situation, and giving Bunny perky, pursed, red lips. Case closed: these books provide plenty of easy-reading fun. Ages 6-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Children's Literature

Bunny has the brains and one assumes that Jack has the brawn. These two, in the tradition of private-eye movies and stories, use their wits to apprehend culprits. This time, it is a missing glass monkey. Keen observation and note taking by Bunny lead her to the realization that the monkey wasn't really stolen, just borrowed to keep a baby amused. The monkey gets returned to its rightful owner and Jack gets an extra bonus—a powdered doughnut. Kids will enjoy the banter among the two in this amusing chapter book. Karas has filled the pages of this chapter book with amusing pictures of the anthropomorphic Bunny (rabbit), Jack (raccoon), Mac (dog) and other characters in this first installment in "The High-Rise Private Eyes" series—Level 2, Grades 1-3. 2001, Greenwillow/HarperTrophy, $14.95, $14.89 and $3.95. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer:Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-There's a missing glass monkey and a restaurant full of suspects-just the sort of case for high-rise private eyes Bunny Brown and Jack Jones. Cynthia Rylant's light-hearted mystery has plenty of rib-tickling drama. Narrator William Dufris provides the voices of melodic Bunny Brown and street wise, fast-talking Jack. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE CASE OF THE CLIMBING CAT.]--These first two cases in Rylant's mystery series for young readers introduce us to the "High-Rise Private Eyes," a detective agency run by animal friends Bunny Brown and Jack Jones. Narrator William Dufris depicts with humor in the two detectives' lively exchanges--Bunny and Jack seldom agree on how to track down clues--and also captures how differences between the two friends often help them solve cases. Other incidental characters are nicely drawn, too. Dufris's pace is kid-friendly, allowing time for children to read along or just listen while enjoying the amusing illustrations. Fun sound effects (like detective music in between chapter breaks) round out this enjoyable listening experience for children who enjoy a little sleuthing. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

Karen Carden - The Christian Science Monitor