LITTLE MONKEY LOST

The similarities and differences among New World monkeys are at the center of this tale of one lost monkey. Bored with his troop’s routine of eating leaves and taking long naps, Little Monkey (a Squirrel Monkey) leaps onto a lily pad for a fun ride, but ends up far downstream. Remembering his mother’s advice, he looks to other monkeys to point the way home. Although none help him find his troop, he learns something from each one: howling (Howler), swinging (Spider), snuggling (Titi) and eating fruit (Night). When Little Monkey puts these skills together, he finds his troop by himself and teaches them what he has learned. A back section identifies the monkeys and provides readers with some interesting facts. With animals that look like they will pop off the pages, and foliage so lush one can almost feel the humidity, DuQuette’s naturalistic illustrations will take readers deep into the heart of the jungles of South and Central America. A lovely tale on its own, and a good springboard for discussing “what if . . . ” with young children. (Picture book. 4-8)