'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Review: All Monkeys Love Bananas

Sometimes you are just drawn to a book. You see it and you must have it. I immediately fell in love graphically with the cover. I love the minimal use of colour, the cheeky monkeys and the furry looking type. There is a little bit of The Mighty Boosh's style in here. Not to mention the tactile cover with furry monkeys! Everything, to me, says GIMMIE!

I was not surprised really to learn that the author is super creative. He is a sculptor and illustrator who started his first newspaper column at age 12. He has artworks featured in the SciTech (Perth) and Ripley’s Believe it or not exhibitions in the USA. I AM surprised to learn that this is his first book. Wow.

Open the book to something everyone should know: that monkeys are found everywhere bananas are grown. Why do you think that is? Monkeys eat bananas for BREAKFAST, DINNER, SNACKS and LUNCH! Every meal, every day!

But what happens when you get sick of eating bananas all the time? This is the story of young monkey Lou McGrew who doesn't like bananas ANYMORE!

What does the naughty monkey do when he simply can not bear to eat another? He runs away. Naughty!

He finds his best friend, a rabbit (not boy), named Sue. Sue knows just how Lou feels, all she gets are CARROTS for every meal. It turns out Sue Hopoloo is hiding from dinner, just like Lou.

What do you think the two friends might do? (I don't want to spoil anything further).

The story is so lovely with funny, lilting rhyming text that sets the story beautifully. I highly recommend you have a look at this gorgeous book and I know I will be paying attention to see what this talented author/illustrator does next.

Any end paper fiends like me will be very happy with the gorgeous tiled banana end papers. LOVE.



Title: All Monkeys Love Bananas
Author: Sean E. Avery
Publisher: Freemantle Press, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: March 2012
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781921888731
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book