Monkey with a Tool Belt

Monkey with a Tool Belt

by Chris Monroe

Inspiration for the Netflix series Chico Bon Bon! Whether you need a beebersaw or a chisel, Chico Bon Bon's your monkey. He can build or fix just about anything―from a dock for the ducks to a clock for the Clucks, even a small roller coaster for local chipmunks. But will his tools and his sharp wit save him when an organ grinder sets his sights on making Chico a circus star? Chris Monroe's quirky hero and detailed illustrations will absorb readers in an entertaining adventure that shows there is an inventive way out of every problem―if you have the right tools.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Storytime, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2007

About the author

Chris Monroe's humor and intricate illustrations draw high praise from reviewers and bloggers alike. Chris is also the author and illustrator of Totally Uncool and the long-running comic strip Violet Days. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reasons To Read the Book Monkey with a Tool Belt:

#1: It is named Monkey with a Tool Belt.
#2: It features a monkey by the name of Chico Bon Bon.
#3: And yes, it's brilliant, funny, well-illustrated, blah blah blah. But did you see the title? It's MONKEY WITH A TOOL BELT!! How cool is that?

Basically, inside every book reviewer is a five-year-old child who screams with delight when she reads titles created by talented whizzes like Chris Monroe. Ms. Monroe is a Minnesotan with a cartoonist background and an ear for a funny phrase. With this, her second foray into the world of picture books, the result is delightful. Distinctly child-friendly with great art and a story worth reading, Monkey with a Tool Belt (I just can't say it often enough) is going to wind up being one of those books that kids remember and treasure for years.

Chico Bon Bon. Your average everyday monkey with a tool belt. Outfitted with everything from claw hammers to clam hammers, Chico is the kind of guy you want around when something needs fixing or building. And even when he doesn't get something right the first time, it doesn't take long for him to correct his mistake. One day, Chico is trapped by a nefarious organ grinder intent on making the monkey his new dancing stooge. Fortunately, after the organ grinder takes Chico to his home, he indulges in operating a lot of his loud appliances at once. This is more than adequate to cover up the sound of Chico's tools as he takes a variety of steps towards escaping from his box. One rubber hammer later Chico is on the bus home (his fare having been contained in the belt as well). Safely tucked into bed, the monkey dreams of the things he'll build and invent tomorrow.

There is nothing quite so comforting as a competent hero. Monroe has created a story that is as kid-friendly as it is partly because you never really worry too badly for Chico. Even when he's in dire straits you're comforted by the very presence of his tool belt. The text may or may not do well as a readaloud though. I mean, the words do well when read but there are lots of tiny bits of text and images that deserve close one-on-one readings. For example, when we see Chico building things for a bunch of different people (docks for ducks, clocks for clucks, etc.) each picture is accompanied by a tiny insert of the tools he's using. Ditto the huge map showing the route the organ grinder took to get to his circus. Then again, you might be able to skim these areas if you wanted to present this book to a class. I don't think it would hurt the story any.

The art is great but the details really make it pop. Take Chico Bon Bon's tool belt for a starter. Of the multitude of tools found there, both real and imaginative, it's hard not to love Monroe's tiny details. The tool labeled "ouija" is indeed a ouija board's plaquette. The bungee hammer is floppity, the turkey wrench has feathers, and the banana hammer has a distinctly yellow cast. Really, most pictures contain a plethora of details if you're willing to look for them. I loved that when the circus tigers helped the previous monkey escape from the zoo they outfitted him with a bindle (and one of them glares at the organ grinder through the window later in the story). And my co-worker is convinced that the last image of Chico Bon Bon, dreaming of being shot out of a banana cannon, looks like no one so much as Brazilian skateboarder Bob Burnquist. I suspect that the resemblance is purely coincidental, but I could certainly be wrong.

Monkeys are funny. Tool belts are not funny. So how do we account for the fact that monkeys plus tool belts are very funny? I've no idea, but if Chris Monroe keeps churning out more picture books of this style and flavor, I'll be a happy woman. Definitely a keeper for the tool belt and monkey lovers of the world.

[Tamra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a weird, weird book. It was supposed to be clever and fun, but it just missed the mark.

Main character: weird.
Plot line: weird.
Illustrations: weird.

I can't tell if it's clever with a weird twist or just weird. You might like it, though.

[Sondra Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book at PLA last year in Minneapolis, before I ever got to see the book itself. The publisher was giving away bookmarks and I grabbed one. The title is clever, the monkey is appealing and the book is worth every penny.

I bought a copy for my son and for my nephew who both enjoy illustrations with many details and of course, tools.

Chico Bon Bon is the best character name I've heard in a long time and this picture book is not only fun to read out loud but it guarantees laughter each and every time the title is requested.

[Brianna Nevares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever seen a monkey that had a toolbelt? Well Chico Bon Bon just so happens to be a monkey, who has a toolbelt. And he gets into some pretty sticky situations.
This book is an example of Children's Literature. Children's Literature can be defined as any form of literature specified for children. (Perceptionship) This book has wonderful illustrations that children would enjoy, and has a plot line that really drags you in. Combined with simple yet complex language, this is a book that I definitely will be using in my classroom.

Future Educators!
An activity that you can do in your classroom with this book is, have your students create their own toolbelt using their favorite things. Then have them explain why they chose these items and what situations they can be used in. Might be a little complicated for the little ones, but also not. You know your students the best.

[Cheryl Rainfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a picture book with a brave character, one who rescues himself? Monkey with a Tool Belt is that book. I think it’s important for kids to have characters who inspire them, and let them know it’s possible to escape horrible situations. Monkey With a Tool Belt does that.


My rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Chico Bon Bon is a monkey who loves to design and build things for other animals–a dock for ducks, a go-kart for skunks, and much more. He wears his tool belt wherever he goes, and he loves his tools. Then one day Chico gets kidnapped by an organ grinder who wants to use him in his act. Chico is transported in a box to the man’s trailer. Once inside, Chico peers out through a hole, assesses the situation, waits for his chance, and then uses his tools to escape back to his home, where he dreams about what he’ll build the next day.

Monroe has created an entertaining book about a self-reliant, fast-thinking monkey who rescues himself from his own kidnapper–which is as far away from Curious George as you can get. Monkey with a Tool Belt promotes good values, while being fun.

Munroe’s text at times feels choppy, especially in the first few pages; it moves from short, bald statements to longer, more involved sentences with some words that may be new to young readers. This discrepancy felt somewhat off-kilter to me. Some sentences also seemed to be written just for the illustrations, such as to show the tools on his belt, and didn’t feel, story-wise, finely crafted–though they still worked within the story and should hold reader interest.

Read my entire review here.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and so did my 3 year old son. Chico Bon Bon is a small monkey who can take care of him self. He has a stocked tool belt that he loves so much he never takes it off. He likes to build new things and fix old things for his friends. When he makes a mistake, he takes a step back and fixes it. One day an organ grinder in need of a new dancing monkey captures Chico and kidnaps him to the circus. Chico stays calm and uses his trusty tool belt to help him escape.

The story alone is fantastic with its simple straight-forward plot and extremely competent hero, but the illustration (also by Chris Monroe) really steals the show. The details are wonderful, I especially love the detailed drawing of Chico's tool belt and tools, the Ouija and claw hammer being my favorite. I hope there are more Chico books, can't wait to read his further adventures with the E-man. Thanks go to Chris Monroe for creating this fantastic piece of Childrens Literature. It is a great book for young girls and boys.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico Bon Bon is a monkey with a tool belt. He can build all sorts of things and loves to fix things too. Then one day, Chico sees a tempting banana split across the street and heads over too it. Before he realizes it, he is trapped! An organ grinder has caught him in a box and taken him to the circus. Never fear though, Chico has a plan and of course it involves his tool belt.

This is smart picture book, celebrating intelligence and ingenuity. The text is so much fun to read with its made-up terms and great pacing. The pictures complete the book perfectly. They are quirky, funny and just like the text do not talk down to the child audience. What a treat!

Highly recommended especially for tool-loving girls and boys. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my "to read" list for over a year. I am not sure why I added it to the list but I am glad I did.

This is an tale in the on-going adventures of Chico Bon-Bon, a monkey with a tool belt.

I found the illustrations to be very humorous. Monroe does an excellent job of conveying Chico's moods even in his relatively simple illustrations.

I enjoyed the preposterousness of Chico's plan and the deatils ad humor in the illustration describing the items in Chico's tool belt.

There were several pages that had an internal rhyming structure that worked for me but there was a slight jarring when moving away from those pages.

I am not sure if I will continue with the series but this was a charming entry that I really enjoyed.

[Lu Benke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely the most fun I've had reading a picture book in years! These are the types of books children should have a zillion of. When I read a book and I can hear and see in my head how a child will enjoy it, I know it's a winner. (That and my grown son reading it and turning back into a little boy with the enjoyment of it.) This happened in spades with Monkey with a Tool Belt. The illustrations are giggle producing and invite you to look at them twice--no, three times. And I swear I know someone who looks just like Monkey when he's deciding which tool will work best. Best part? Monkey going to bed with his tool belt over his pajamas. I'm getting this one.

[Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first half of this book is great. And the last page is also good.

The second half of the book is something I would never read to a very young child. Chico Bon Bon, who the child would be identifying with, gets kidnapped, shoved in a box, and eventually breaks himself free. But the kidnapper had done it before. And the kidnapper is not reported or somehow punished. I just imagine Chico Bon Bon going to bed and having nightmares about being kidnapped again. It's kind of an awful thing to have in a kid's book.

The books about the Seaside Shenanigans and the Noisy Problem are some of Connor's most favorite.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chico Bon Bon is saved by his wits and his toolbelt in this hilarious caper. My favorite illustration is the diagrammed toolbelt. Although the book benefits from close-up looking--there are lots of small details--it still works well as a group readaloud. Compulsive kids might identify with the hero. I want to read more by Chris Walsh; apparently she writes a successful comic strip for adults out of Duluth, MN.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that make you SQUEE with delight every two or three pages. Like, OMG the monkey is adorable, but wait did you hear his name? Chico Bon Bon!!! WOAH, check out his toolbelt. EEEE! It's a miniature gorilla swinging in a tree!

The rhymes are excellent, "He uses a level on a toy box for Neville."

There's a fake banana split, an evil organ grinder, a kazoo that sounds like a water buffalo, digrams, and lots and lots of fun.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the title of this book, I asked myself the same thing you're undoubtedly asking: how could this book not be awesome? And then I had a moment of panic that the book wouldn't be able to live up to the expectations the title conjures up. And then I read it and the book totally lives up to the awesome title. If you are at the point in your life when you read lots of books to little kids, do yourself a favor and add this one to your repertoire.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like it more. But, at least it gave birth to some fun images I could play with in telling bedtime stories to my son. So let me know if anyone ever wants me to write down the story about a baby white dragon and a marshmallow fluff breathing dragon helping a colony of monkeys with toolbelts (that they found in a crate that washed up on their island, but didn't know how to use) who were attacked by giant crabs.

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, Monkey with a tool belt, enough said. You can easily compare this to Scaredy Squirrel, but make no mistake Chico Bon Bon is not scared. I don't want to give it away, but he uses his smarts and his tools very effectively in this book. Easily accessible to our earliest readers with sequels to help primary readers think about the character of Chico Bon Bon, this is a must add to my library and other elementary teachers particularly those with reluctant readers.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

January 2017 - Ben's new favorite. He cracks up at some of the tool names (especially banana hammer and pajama hammer) and loves the maps of characters traveling. Reading on repeat. We've read it so many times that I've cycled from liking it, to being tired of reading it, to thinking it's genius.

May 2018 - still a favorite, and I still love reading the list of tools.

September 2018 - he asked for it by name when he saw a picture of it in a library display!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a book that I can giggle to, and this is one that was cute and charming.

This delightful story is about a monkey and his tool belt. The tool belt itself is fun because it has all kinds of made-up tools, using silly made-up words. The monkey has to use his imagination and his tool belt in order to escape a situation. I really loved this book. It was so sweet!

The illustrations are so bright and colorful, and in this case, really add life to the story.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very funny and inventive. In my case I know a pop-pop who is usually wearing a tool belt and always has a multi-use tool attached to his belt. With that experience in mind this book makes perfect sense. The grandkids are going to love this book. I think Monkey is a very bright and talented individual who did not panic under stress, but thought and worked his way out of a very tough problem.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who won't like this story of Chico Bon Bon, a tool-toting monkey who knows what he is doing. Whether fixing a clock for some chickens, a skate board ramp, or dealing with an organ-grinding kidnapper, Chico is one cool cookie, calm, smart, tool-brilliant, and math-friendly.
Plus he hired this cool illustrator, Chris Monroe, to draw him well. Good thinking, Chico!

[Boni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic read-aloud! Pure silliness, hilarious, concise text, LOTS going on in the illustrations (but not too much that it's a distraction from the story- a perfect balance, I tell you) and a monkey named Chico Bon Bon. I dare you to read this book out loud to kids and NOT laugh along with them. Chico Bon Bon, I kid you not. I can't even say it without smiling :)

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many tools in this book, I sometimes had trouble distingushing between the real and the imaginary ones. I mean a donkey wrench sounds like it could come in handy when you need something bigger than a monkey wrench, right? This is a great book for gadget infatuated kids, but fun for non-gadget folks,as well.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, awesome tool belt!

A voice from the middle of the van: "Mom, what's an oy-juh?"
Me: "Is it spelled o-u-i-j-a? That is pronounced wee-jee, and it means [blah blah blah]." I just had no idea it was an item on Chico Bon-Bon's tool belt. Too bad he doesn't have to use it in the story (or - as far as I can recall - the nearby rhyming "squouija" :^)

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, fun and inspiring. I love the fact that it is mentioned that Chico makes a mistake, but that's okay because he just fixes it. Children today need to be given the space to make mistakes and to learn that they can correct them. Chico takes control of his own destiny! I could hear a pin drop when the 1st graders were waiting to see if Chico would be able to get out of his predicament.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun! The title alone tells you this book will be cool. Chico Bon Bon has to use his tools to get out of a tricky situation. This is a great book to ask students "What happens next?" It has colorful, intricate pictures, and tells students what every single tool Chico uses is (and he uses a lot!)

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book combines monkeys and tools, 2 very popular things for young ones. I really like that the author shows Chico using tools for specific things. It'll get the young ones thinking about different uses for things, I think.

Good for preschool storytimes, better for one-on-one reading due to the small details in the illustrations.

[Courtney Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did like this book because of the way they used a monkey as the main character but he fixed everything. The author could have easily used a boy for the main character since he was someone who had a tool belt and could fix broken problems. I think this shows kids that you really can be anything you want and just because people think you should be one thing does not mean you have to listen.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! Chico Bon Bon is a creative monkey who uses his smarts and tools to get out of jams. Chico has a generous spirit and helps out his fellow critters. The drawings are fun and just sinister enough to impress both kids and adults.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! This book was random. It is also a 1st grade boy's dream... Lots of silly humor and larger than life bad guys! Lots and lots of detailed illustrations and even an almost Family Circus style map. I also loved Chico's escape plan spread! Great vocabulary and lots to teach from this book!

[Magila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, great book about both perseverance and keeping cool under pressure. More awesome, there is a monkey with a tool belt and good pictures. It even features labels for individual tools. Another worthy read for young boys.

Recommend.

[Jim Erekson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had to buy Monkey with at Tool Belt for Pearl for Christmas, because she became a die-hard fan when we checked out Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem. We think that one is a bit funnier, but this one is really fun!