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Monkey & Cake #1
What Is Inside THIS Box?
Meet Monkey and Cake.
Cake has lots of questions. Monkey has lots of answers.
They are silly. They are curious.
Sometimes they fight.
But Monkey and Cake are always best friends.
In this book, Monkey and Cake cannot agree what's inside Monkey's mysterious box. Is it a kitty? Is it a dinosaur? How will they find out -- and what do you think is inside?
Cake has lots of questions. Monkey has lots of answers.
They are silly. They are curious.
Sometimes they fight.
But Monkey and Cake are always best friends.
In this book, Monkey and Cake cannot agree what's inside Monkey's mysterious box. Is it a kitty? Is it a dinosaur? How will they find out -- and what do you think is inside?
56 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2019
11 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Drew Daywalt
44 books570 followersEver since his childhood in one of Ohio’s most haunted houses, writer director Drew Daywalt has been writing escapist fantasy and building worlds of his own. With a degree in Creative Writing, and a concentration in Children’s Literature from Emerson College in Boston, Daywalt set off to Hollywood where he spent years writing for Disney and Universal on such beloved shows as Timon & Pumba, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody Woodpecker, and where his animated series The Wacky World of Tex Avery garnered an Emmy nomination.
His first trip into live action landed him studio screenwriting and feature film directing work with such Hollywood luminaries as Quentin Tarrantino, Lawrence Bender, Tony Scott, Brett Ratner and Jerry Bruckheimer.
With an eye toward picture book writing, Daywalt’s first book THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, debuted on the New York Times Best Seller’s List in June 2013, and has since become a Number One Best Seller.
His first trip into live action landed him studio screenwriting and feature film directing work with such Hollywood luminaries as Quentin Tarrantino, Lawrence Bender, Tony Scott, Brett Ratner and Jerry Bruckheimer.
With an eye toward picture book writing, Daywalt’s first book THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, debuted on the New York Times Best Seller’s List in June 2013, and has since become a Number One Best Seller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
February 11, 2019
Schrödinger's cat thought experiment in an easy reader. A lot for a monkey and cake slice to take in.
March 13, 2019
When I checked the New Books cart this afternoon, I was not expecting to find an easy reader book about a monkey explaining to a piece of cake that a cat may or may not be inside of a box.
Best introduction to the idea of Schrodenger's Cat for first graders.
Best introduction to the idea of Schrodenger's Cat for first graders.
April 12, 2019
Reminded me of Schrödinger's cat - but kids will love it!
November 23, 2020
It's Schrodinger's cat for the preschool set. What's not to like?!
October 29, 2024
What a great way to introduce philosophy and critical thinking to kids!
May 25, 2019
love this! cuz really, the dinosaur and the cat are in the box, right? not in the box, right?
September 12, 2019
Reviewed for School Library Journal in the March 2019 issue.
K-Gr 2—This new series stars an impish little monkey and a personified slice of cake with a cherry on top of his head. Monkey and Cake are good friends. When Cake discovers Monkey sitting on top of a box, he asks what is inside. Monkey responds that a cat is in the box, but upon further questioning admits that the cat exists only when the box is closed. To up the ante, he also states that if Cake opens the box, the cat will disappear because the cat is MAGIC. Cake, as one would expect, is incredulous. They go back and forth and appear to be heading to a stalemate when Monkey advises Cake that he can think anything he wants about what is inside the box when it is closed. This invitation to imagination is priceless, and Cake soon declares that a dinosaur is inside. The whole Socratic debate begins anew with the two friends finally coming to an agreement that they will never know what is actually inside the box. Once they exit the scene, readers see a cat peeking out, and wouldn't you know it, when we turn the page, she is accompanied by a dinosaur. Daywalt (The Day the Crayons Quit) and Tallec (This Book Will Not Be Fun) have crafted a delightful, philosophical romp that will please and intrigue beginning readers. The end of the book contains several questions for children to ponder, which will prompt discussion and imaginative play. A nod to Schrödinger's cat is included for all quantum mechanics fans. VERDICT: Funny and thought-provoking. A definite purchase for beginning reader collections.
K-Gr 2—This new series stars an impish little monkey and a personified slice of cake with a cherry on top of his head. Monkey and Cake are good friends. When Cake discovers Monkey sitting on top of a box, he asks what is inside. Monkey responds that a cat is in the box, but upon further questioning admits that the cat exists only when the box is closed. To up the ante, he also states that if Cake opens the box, the cat will disappear because the cat is MAGIC. Cake, as one would expect, is incredulous. They go back and forth and appear to be heading to a stalemate when Monkey advises Cake that he can think anything he wants about what is inside the box when it is closed. This invitation to imagination is priceless, and Cake soon declares that a dinosaur is inside. The whole Socratic debate begins anew with the two friends finally coming to an agreement that they will never know what is actually inside the box. Once they exit the scene, readers see a cat peeking out, and wouldn't you know it, when we turn the page, she is accompanied by a dinosaur. Daywalt (The Day the Crayons Quit) and Tallec (This Book Will Not Be Fun) have crafted a delightful, philosophical romp that will please and intrigue beginning readers. The end of the book contains several questions for children to ponder, which will prompt discussion and imaginative play. A nod to Schrödinger's cat is included for all quantum mechanics fans. VERDICT: Funny and thought-provoking. A definite purchase for beginning reader collections.
September 4, 2019
This one made me laugh out loud at the end. Monkey and Cake...the new Elephant and Piggie. Kids will be delighted!
October 30, 2018
A new early reader series about an unlikely duo - Cake and Monkey that made me laugh out loud with the twist at the end. Charming funny illustrations, large text in color-coded speech bubbles and simple repeating vocabulary make this a total winner!
December 21, 2018
First sentence: Hello, Monkey. Hello, Cake. What do you have? I have a box. It is a big box.
Premise/plot: Monkey believes that inside this box there is a magic cat. Open the box, the cat is not there. Close the box, it is. Cake, however, believes that inside the box there is a magic dinosaur. Who is right? And does it matter?
My thoughts: This early reader is unique and quirky--at least on the surface. At first glance, this one is over-the-top silly. But I don't think it's meant to be taken solely that way. I think it is supposed to get readers thinking deeper. If that isn't the case, why would there be a note to readers asking them questions like...
Do you believe in things you can't see?
Do people you know believe in things you don't believe in?
What do you believe in?
So this book addresses an abstract subject in a silly, light-hearted way. How much sillier can you get than a talking piece of cake?
I do not want to over think this book. I do not want to over think this book. I do not want to over think this book. I'm tempted to though. Let's just leave it as if taken too seriously--taken too far, this one is a theological mess.
Premise/plot: Monkey believes that inside this box there is a magic cat. Open the box, the cat is not there. Close the box, it is. Cake, however, believes that inside the box there is a magic dinosaur. Who is right? And does it matter?
My thoughts: This early reader is unique and quirky--at least on the surface. At first glance, this one is over-the-top silly. But I don't think it's meant to be taken solely that way. I think it is supposed to get readers thinking deeper. If that isn't the case, why would there be a note to readers asking them questions like...
Do you believe in things you can't see?
Do people you know believe in things you don't believe in?
What do you believe in?
So this book addresses an abstract subject in a silly, light-hearted way. How much sillier can you get than a talking piece of cake?
I do not want to over think this book. I do not want to over think this book. I do not want to over think this book. I'm tempted to though. Let's just leave it as if taken too seriously--taken too far, this one is a theological mess.
April 20, 2019
Reminiscent in Elephant and Piggie in the best way possible. Coming with me on school visits as a read aloud for sure.
April 8, 2019
Very Schroedinger's cat: it's only there when the box is closed. Of course, it could also lead to a discussion about imagination, and what is true or not. My sample kid thought it was pretty funny, but didn't quite get the deeper concepts. But that's ok: it can be read multiple times at different ages and they'll get different things out of it. It also has echoes from Mo Willems in the simple art, and 2 very different characters (monkey and cake in this case) who are friends.
April 10, 2019
Absolutely hilarious deep thinker for kids.
April 6, 2019
This is the most high-brow beginning reader book I've ever read, and I loved it!!! The book basically illustrates the philosophical idea that is Schrodinger's cat but doesn't tell you that so you don't feel like you're learning philosophy. It's a fun read even if you aren't familiar with the concept.
April 5, 2019
Similar style to Elephant and Piggie, but more didactic. Very very fun.
March 12, 2020
If a tree falls in the forest. Philosophy for kids. Squirt read this to me and we laughed and laughed. What IS in the box?!!
March 29, 2019
4.5 stars. Clever!
March 27, 2019
A thought experiment for the very young!
March 22, 2019
Part of me is channeling "UHF" from the moment I saw the cover ("You took the box! Let's see what's in the box!" [Hiro-san opens the box, and the audience gasps: the box is completely empty!] "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! STUPID! You so STU-PIIIIIIIIIIID!"), which is a teensy bit inappropriate for a children's book, I will admit. Another part of me is totally cracking up at the science analogies which are happening here with the possibilities of cats, and cake, and other things.
p.s. I believe the cat's name is Schrödinger. Hahahahahahaha...I can't help myself right now. Love it!
p.s. I believe the cat's name is Schrödinger. Hahahahahahaha...I can't help myself right now. Love it!
March 21, 2019
There's like a funny almost-Schroedinger thing going on in this book. Also, a monkey and a cake are friends!? Um, that's genius. I want to be frenemies with a dessert, especially a brownie.
March 13, 2019
A great kick-off for a new series! Quirky and fun, the simple vocabulary, silly characters, and sophisticated ideas make for a great early reading book. Bright and colourful illustrations bring everything together. ~Emilee
March 14, 2019
Wonderful, quirky, thoughtful. Simple and complex. No better way to get one familiar with quantum mechanics. Just works on so many levels.
March 11, 2019
Funny - give this to kids sad that there are no more new Elephant & Piggie books.
March 8, 2019
Schrödinger's cat meets 'Piggy & Elephant' is how I see this book. Still a good book....maybe a thinker for the wee ones.
March 4, 2019
I actually laughed out loud at this fun, kid-friendly spin on Schrödinger's Theory.
I want to see more inventive and absurd books for kids like this!
I want to see more inventive and absurd books for kids like this!
January 8, 2019
{My thoughts} – Monkey and Cake are a couple of fun characters. They are a couple of friends that discuss believing things without being able to see them. This is a really neat lesson for children to understand. Seeing without believing is often referenced throughout different religions as well as the magic of any holiday.
The cover of this book is bright yellow and eye catching. The illustrations are simple and explain what is going on throughout the book. The text is written in word bubbles similar to what I’d call a beginners graphic novel.
I recommend this book as a beginner reader. It has simple sentences structure and words for children to easily read. It doesn’t have doesn’t have many difficult words that would need to be explained. If the book is read to or with the child on a regular basis they should be able to grasp what most of the words mean by looking at the pictures. I think this is a wonderful new book series and I can’t wait to introduce it to my daughters.
The cover of this book is bright yellow and eye catching. The illustrations are simple and explain what is going on throughout the book. The text is written in word bubbles similar to what I’d call a beginners graphic novel.
I recommend this book as a beginner reader. It has simple sentences structure and words for children to easily read. It doesn’t have doesn’t have many difficult words that would need to be explained. If the book is read to or with the child on a regular basis they should be able to grasp what most of the words mean by looking at the pictures. I think this is a wonderful new book series and I can’t wait to introduce it to my daughters.
January 31, 2019
This one made me laugh out loud at the end. Very cute dialog story. Kids will enjoy the storyline of a monkey and piece of cake debating what is inside a box. Very funny and nice twist at the end. Very clever. Highly recommended for Grades K-1.
November 29, 2018
This is a cute little story with a lot of great sight words mixed in.
December 2, 2018
Funny primary book that will make readers laugh.
December 8, 2022
Une charmante introduction au chat de Schrödinger, qui va faire sourire les parents, et qui va amuser les enfants. J'ai adoré.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews