Synopsis
The day before school starts, Mama takes her five little monkeys shopping clothes. "Stay right here," she says, "AND DON'T GO WANDERING OFF!"
But do those silly little monkeys listen to Mama? Of course not! Soon there are only three little monkeys...and then there are seven...then three again...and then..oh, no! Fourteen little monkeys! How can that be? Will Mama ever have her five little monkeys togethers again?
Children's Literature
It is the day before school is due to start, and Mama monkey must take her five lively and mischievous children to the store for their school clothes. With the help of the salesperson, four little ones are soon trying on their new things while Mama goes in search of a missing child. And so it goes. Each of the young monkeys keeps strolling off in search of the bathroom, the drinking fountain, or their friends. Poor Mama is always counting and subtracting to try and keep track of her family. Basic math is cleverly woven throughout the story...even on the last page when Mama is told by one of the youngsters that there are six of them in the convertible. There are seven other titles about these Five Little Monkeys, and this is another welcome addition. The illustrations, which are done in pen and acrylic gouache, perfectly complement the story. Even the endpapers add to the fun, as they show various articles of clothing with price tags attached. While not a "must-have" book, this is certainly a worthwhile purchase. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth