One Monkey Too Many

Amazon.com
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.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-This story begins as one deceptively calm monkey is presented with a bike: "'One,' said the bikeman./'This bike is for one./One monkey can ride it,/and one can have fun.'" Another monkey is hiding behind the bikeman, though, and as soon as his back is turned, it joins the first on the bike, and before long they crash in a thoroughly satisfying way. Chaos builds throughout as the monkeys are offered a golf cart for two, a canoe for three, a table for four (in a fancy restaurant, of course), and a bed for five. The closing scene, in which Koller insists that the book is for six monkeys, is perfect for this funny story that's ideal for group sharing. The infectious rhythm of the text never falters, and Munsinger's illustrations, set against plenty of white space, revel in the gleeful monkey business. Spilling, breaking, dropping, and crashing have never been this much fun.Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
"`One,' said the bikeman. / `This bike is for one. / One monkey can ride it, / and one can have fun.'" But the moment the bikeman turns his back, out pops an extra monkey to share the fun--and suffer the raucous consequences. And so it goes--three monkeys cramming into a golf cart for two, five at a table for four--until Koller herself enters the picture and puts her foot down: "`Six,' said the author. / `This book is for six. / The pages are full, / so no more of your tricks.'" The pictures, of course, make it plain that despite Koller's stern declaration, the monkeys have ideas of their own. The joke is delightful, and Munsinger's boisterous illustrations, with animal characters galore (including some hidden monkeys for children to spot), are full of expression, movement, and wacky comedy. Children with some previous knowledge of numbers will also have fun using the lively yarn for counting practice--up to seven. Stephanie Zvirin


Book Description
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 hilarious surprises.



Card catalog description
Adventurous monkeys have a series of mishaps and escapades involving a bike, a canoe, a restaurant, and a hotel.


About the Author
JACKIE FRENCH KOLLER is the award-winning author of numerous books for children. She lives in Westfield, Massachusets.

LYNN MUNSINGER has illustrated more than ninety books for children. She graduated from Tufts University in Boston and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, where she majored in illustration. She lives in Connecticut and Vermont.



Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

PreS-K-This story begins as one deceptively calm monkey is presented with a bike: "`One,' said the bikeman./`This bike is for one./One monkey can ride it,/and one can have fun.'" Another monkey is hiding behind the bikeman, though, and as soon as his back is turned, it joins the first on the bike, and before long they crash in a thoroughly satisfying way. Chaos builds throughout as the monkeys are offered a golf cart for two, a canoe for three, a table for four (in a fancy restaurant, of course), and a bed for five. The closing scene, in which Koller insists that the book is for six monkeys, is perfect for this funny story that's ideal for group sharing. The infectious rhythm of the text never falters, and Munsinger's illustrations, set against plenty of white space, revel in the gleeful monkey business. Spilling, breaking, dropping, and crashing have never been this much fun.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices