Review by Booklist Review
At 7:00 a.m., Spunky Little Monkey is Sleepy Little Monkey and won't get out of bed. A quick call to the doctor reveals that a big dose of clapping, stomping, and shaking is the remedy needed to get Spunky Little Monkey ready for the day. Based very loosely on the children's clapping game Down Down Baby, this is more activity book than story, designed to get audiences moving and shaking. The spirited use of words, sometimes in rhyme (Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Gooseberry Pies Monkey needs some exercise!), and the call-and-response technique (First you get the rhythm of the head: Ding-Dong! Have you got the rhythm of the head? Ding-Dong!) make this a natural for sharing with groups large and small. Vibrantly colored illustrations feature the bright-eyed monkey performing the actions, a few props, and a small frog that pops up occasionally against solid color backgrounds. They are joined by a few others on their way out to play. Lively, all-around fun and a great introduction to exercising.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Using a rhythm that's a "modified variation" of the clapping game "Down Down Baby" (according to an endnote), Sampson-who was the late Martin's longtime collaborator-motivates kids to get off their duffs and get moving, especially as a prelude to the rest of the day. Their monkey hero is a reluctant exerciser at first, but he's on his feet soon enough, eagerly responding to the narrator-as-fitness-instructor's prompts. The call-and-response text, peppered with silly interjections ("Rutabaga, Rutabaga! Sis! Boom! Bah!") will make any fan of the Martin and Sampson books feel at home. There are four simple actions: an upper body sway ("First you get the rhythm of the head: Ding-Dong!/ Have you got the rhythm of the head? Ding-Dong?") followed by clapping, stomping, and hip-shaking. Won's (Hooray for Today!) digitized and generously scaled watercolors, punctuated with typography that's as spunky as the monkey himself, make it clear that exercising isn't just good for you-it's a way of expressing agency and independence. Ages 3-5. Authors' agent: Ron Zollshan, Kirchoff/Wohlberg. Illustrator's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-In this twist on the classic children's clapping game "Down Down Baby," the titular little monkey won't get out of bed until the doctor prescribes some exercise as the remedy. What results is an infectious, rhythmic dancing game, complete with clapping, stomping, and shaking. It's nearly impossible to resist joining in, and possibly even more difficult to get the rhyming song out of one's head once the book is through. Won's bold, colorful illustrations fill each page, bringing the spunky chimp to life. With simple, lyrical repetition, this is a fantastic book for young children and one that can easily be adapted for younger elementary-age kids. Sampson includes a note about the importance of daily exercise along with a poignant remark regarding reading as a form of exercise. VERDICT A whimsical and playful way to inspire children to be both physically and mentally engaged. In the end, Monkey's friends join in the fun, as will any reader or listener, making this a popular storytime title.-Kaitlin Malixi, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Every little monkey needs to get up and move!Sleepy Little Monkey / Wont get out of bed. // Mama called the Doctor / And the Doctor said: / Apple Juice, / Orange Juice, / Gooseberry Pies / Monkey needs / some exercise! Little Monkey pops out of bed and, after dressing, does some quick calisthenics. First you get the rhythm of the head: / Ding-Dong! // Have you got the rhythm of the head? / Ding-Dong! A sway of the head accompanies each ding-dong. Then theres a clap and a stomp. Theres some hip shaking. Put them all together / Youll be feeling so much better. Monkey goes through the movements forward and backward and gives a cheer. Spunky Little Monkey / Ready for the day. / Come on, Monkey / LETS GO PLAY! A frequent collaborator of the deceased Martins, Sampson turns out a rhythmic invitation to wiggle in the morning. The text's catchy enough that little monkeys will want to hear it again and simple enough theyll learn it quickly. Wons big, bright digital illustrations (made from scanned watercolor washes) feature an adorable, rosy-cheeked monkey of indeterminate gender in jean shorts and striped T-shirt going through the motions before running off with animal friends. It may be a bit unclear exactly what motions are called for each time, but Little Monkey's moving, and that's the point. Great for storytime or for little monkeys who need encouragement to run around. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
