Monkey Nut

by Simon Rickerty

Winner of Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2013Two little creatures + one monkey nut = big trouble!Is it a hat? Or a boat? Or a drum? Whatever it is, everyone wants it - and they DON'T want to share!One little monkey nut causes big trouble in this bright, funny and original book.Praise for Monkey "With brio and inventiveness he fills the pages with splashes, squabbles, contrast and laughter." Michael Rosen"A bright and cheerful picture book that will have young readers laughing out loud from beginning to end." The Bookbag"Who would have thought that one little monkey nut could make such a hilarious and imaginative book?... Bright and colourful, this is a lovely story about sharing." Parents in Touch"Bold images brilliantly convey this witty story about how much trouble one monkey nut can cause!" Julia Eccleshare for Lovreading.co.uk"Anyone would find looking at this book an exhilarating experience." Books for Keeps

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Hossein · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتابيه درباره مفهوم "مالكيت". درباره دو عنكبوته كه ميخوان هر كردم يه بادوم زميني رو صاحب بشن. هر كدوم كاربريِ خاصي براش در نظر گرفتن و شروع مي كنن به دعوا بر سر تصاحبش.
نقاشي هاش خوب بودن به نظرم. شايد تنها چيزي كه يه خورده ناراحت كننده بود ، نشون دادن كشته شدن عنكبوتِ سومي بود كه مي خواست بادوم زميني رو بگيره.
نتيجه گيريش هم به نظرم ميتونست بهتر باشه. به جاي سپردن مسائل به اتفاقات بيروني، مي شد كه مفهومي مثلِ "گدشتن از حق خود براي ديگري" مطرح مي شد.

[Chris Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is not a book I love. However, reading it aloud to preschool brought a lot of joy. They grasped the concept of the need to share and found plenty of humor in the pictures. Although I am not sure what their opinions are on the ending, I think most of them felt that justice prevailed.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a surprising story. It was funny, a little ridiculous and a cautionary tale for kids. It was fun to read, which is always helpful as an adult and the children know when you enjoy the story.

[Nicola Baptie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monkey nut, a book with a very little narrative, allowing you to create a story with children or ask plenty of open questions. The story begins with two, what appear to be paint splatters, discovering a nut. The splatters argue over the nut and by engaging in turn taking play, imagine the nut to be different objects. These objects are easily relatable to children 3+, allowing them to bring their prior knowledge to the story. After a few rounds of turn taking, they begin to squabble over the nut again! The use of words as imaginary are displayed on a double spread page at this point, providing greater meaning to the emotions to the word 'Mine'. A giant black splatter appears, forcing the previous two splatters to work together in order to save their nut/chair/telephone... They loose their nut eventually to an elephant, whom squishes the 'mean' black splatter with his enormous foot. The empty shell of the nut is broken in half, allowing the two splatters to share and have half a shell each and play happily together.

This seems a fab book to share with children to promote feelings and strategies for turn taking and sharing of toys. It also allows children to explore the outcome when they work together and that if something can be shared, they may have a more enjoyable time together. The book requires to bring their prior knowledge to their book of feelings, play and imaginative play. From discussions that can be taken from the book, children can build on existing knowledge and therefore use it in their future play, hopefully having a greater understanding of their emotions and actions having consequences.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! Has that same adult friendly, slightly dry human of my most favourite picture book of last year I Want My Hat Back. Whilst teaching kids the importance of sharing it will also teach them a much more important lesson: how to play the Props round from Whose Line Is It Anyway?

(big thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy)

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun book , quirky take on a peanut