Monkey Business

Be the first to write a review

Overview

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 ...

See more details below
Paperback (Reprint)
$8.95
BN.com price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (16) from $5.28   
  • New (10) from $5.28   
  • Used (6) from $6.73   
Note: Kids' Club Eligible. See More Details.
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

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!

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

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. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature
Edwards has a wild romp with a collection of some familiar idioms. He also hides a simian in each full-page portrayal of an animal engaged in the activity described in the idiom. A sentence using the idiom is under each illustration, while the real meanings are listed at the end. Sayings like "on the ball" and "snug as a bug in a rug" to "playing by ear" and "putting his best foot forward" to "a wolf in sheep's clothing" and "a fish out of water," offer opportunities for imaginative and hilarious visual story-telling. The jacket's super-crowded portrait of a chimp (busy on his "monkey business") surrounded by many objects that appear inside should put readers on guard about sharpening their powers of observation. Created with watercolors, colored pencils and gouache, these pictures deftly mix realistic animals with all manner of other things in surreal compositions evoking a wide range of emotions. They can range from disgust as the worms crawl out of the opened can to invade a kitchen to laughter when we observe a hound dog using his ears to play a single-string cello. And it's fun all along finding the myriad of things as well as the shy monkeys in each scene. This book is not only a help for American students learning about idioms, it also can be useful in any class of English as a second language. 2004, Kids Can Press, Ages 6 up.
—Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
School Library Journal
Gr 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 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Teachers rejoice: a great new tool for teaching idioms (and encouraging creativity) has arrived. Edwards presents a single sentence and illustration per page, each featuring one of 26 unrelated idioms. "Eloise had a craving for snails, but she accidentally opened a can of worms." A fish in a bathrobe must deal with the worms that have spread out to cover her kitchen. The definition of an idiom begins the text, while the last page explains the meaning of each one featured. Richly elaborate illustrations are full of details that young readers will enjoy discovering with each subsequent reading. And they must find the monkey hidden on each page. In the last illustration, the monkey asks, "Did you find the monkey on every page?" sending readers back for another look. While the meanings of most of the idioms can be determined through context clues, this is still sophisticated enough for adults to share with a younger audience. A great addition to the many books that play on words. (Picture book. 8-10)
Booklist
[They will enjoy the richness of both the art and our language. Teachers will find many uses for this - in English class, of course, but also for creative writing and art studies.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781554532285
  • Publisher: Kids Can Press, Limited
  • Publication date: 8/1/2008
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 32
  • Sales rank: 195,347
  • Age range: 6 - 9 Years
  • Product dimensions: 8.90 (w) x 11.80 (h) x 0.10 (d)

Meet the Author

Wallace Edwards is a commissioned artist, as well as a freelance illustrator for books and magazines. He lives in Yarker, Ontario, near Kingston.

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)