Thimble Monkey Superstar

by Jon Blake

Jams is homeschooled by his eccentric father while his mother works. He has no friends. One day their neighbours arrive with a monkey and ask, 'Will you look after our hamster?' They run away, abandoning Thimble. Jams and his Mum love Thimble instantly, but Jams' father doesn't like someone upsetting his routine. A series of wild comic adventures, at hospital, at school, at the zoo and camping, where Jams's father takes on Thimble and comes off the worse. Thimble is very clever and very naughty - and just the best friend Jams has been waiting for.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2016

About the author

Jon Blake (see https://www.youtube.com/@jonblakeauthor) is the author of over sixty books, primarily for children and teenagers: most recently YA novel "Second Quality Dragon" which was featured in a Goodreads giveaway.

"Thimble Monkey Superstar", featuring disabled narrator Jams, based on Jon's son, was shortlisted for the 2017 Laugh Out Loud awards (Lollies): there are three sequels.

Jon was brought up in Southampton and now lives in Cardiff, where he teaches creative writing at http://parkwrite.com. His successes include the picture book “You’re A Hero, Daley B” (ill. Axel Scheffler, worldwide sales of over 500,000) and “Little Stupendo” (shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award).

Other big sellers include “One Girl School” (over 35,000), "Stinky Finger's House of Fun" and literacy hour favourite “Mark Two”.

In 1995 Jon’s TV play ‘Life’ was shortlisted for a Writers Guild Award, while in 2002 he won a BBC Talent award for his adult radio sitcom “Degrees R Us” (series broadcast on BBC Radio Wales). Jon is particularly noted for original and anarchic humour, typified by the “House of Fun” series. However he has also written politically-charged fiction for an older readership.

Born in Mortimer, Berkshire, and living in Southampton between 1960 and 1973, Jon went to Exeter University, but dropped out from his drama course and worked in a furniture shop in Winchester before continuing studies at York University and Bretton Hall. He subsequently became a teacher and community centre warden in Peterborough and Nottingham.

Jon moved to Cardiff, Wales in 1987.

Besides being a writer, Jon has been involved in many community projects and is also an activist, musician and songwriter.

Jon’s critically acclaimed 2008 novel, “The Last Free Cat”, has a website at http://www.feela.wordpress.com. "The Last Free Cat" was selected for the ILA's Young Choices list of 2013 - the very best YA books published in the US.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story of a boy whose neighbours ask his family to look after their 'hamster', the monkey Thimble.

With his hopeless author dad, and ultra busy mum, Jams really could do with a friend and excitement in his life. And Thimble provides just this.

I also like how Jams is a disabled character, using a walker, but the story isn't about his disability, it's about monkey mischief. It's good to see kids lit with disabled characters having normal lives and having fun.

[Jo Co32 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining book purchased as one of the 6-9 category of books in this year's Lollies Laugh Out Loud Awards and would be the one I tip to win. It centres around the hilarious antics of Thimble, the mischievous monkey friend of a homeschooled boy named Jams, which 9 times out of 10 seem to be to the detriment of Jams' childrens' author father Douglas Dawson.
The illustrations are great, capturing Thimble's naughtiness perfectly and lead to much giggling from young audiences.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy and his monkey have a series of adventures.

I couldn't get into this book - it tried to be too clever.

Reading time around one hour.

[Arlo Hansford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

[Ruth Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genuinely very funny book which had me laughing right from page one. No-one and nothing is safe from Thimble, the nutty monkey's irreverent antics, particularly not Jams Cogan's grumpy author Dad who makes such an excellent fall guy. Jon Blake is a master of comic timing and situations where you can't wait for the inevitable hilarious pay-off in the same way you can't while watching Laurel and Hardy. I also appreciate and admire the way in which the story features a disabled character but isn't about the disability, it's really healthy to have books like these around. All in all a great, rewarding read for children who enjoy good writing as well as knockabout humour, enhanced by Martin Chatterton's vibrant illustrations.