CHA-CHA CHIMPS

Deep in the forest, ten little chimps sneak out to Mamba Jamba’s for some dancing: “ee-ee-oo-oo-ah-ah-ah! 10 little chimps do the cha-cha-cha.” But the other denizens of the forest have different favorite dances. As each new animal, from rhino to giraffe to ostrich joins the party doing a different dance, one monkey dances off to join in. Just when there’s only one monkey left, Mama chimp bursts in to take her brood home. After they are safely tucked in and the sitter’s called, however, Mama returns to the dance hall for her own cha-cha-cha. Durango’s dancing rhyme is infectious. Creative minds might worry that the chimps are being picked off for dinner since lion, cheetah and cobra are three of the first animals, but they’re just looking for dance partners. Taylor’s cartoon watercolors virtually boogie off the page. A nice addition for storytimes about monkeys or music. (Picture book. 2-6)