Cuddle Monkey

by Blake Liliane Hellman, Chad Otis (Illustrator)

A little monkey looks for the perfect cuddle while his parents are busy with his new baby brother.

Lewis loves to cuddle. But ever since his baby brother Owen was born, cuddle time with his mom and dad has been in short supply. Lewis, however, remains undaunted! He wants his cuddles! So:

He cuddles his favorite book.
He cuddles his stuffed animals, Hedwig, Lamby, and Monster Dude.
He even cuddles a puddle, just because it rhymes!

But cuddling the bus driver turns out to be a little dangerous. Cuddling at dinner is too messy. And cuddling Owen is wiggly and squiggly. Then Lewis finds that a cuddle doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be just the cuddle you need.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Juvenile, Love

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2020

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuddle Monkey by Blake Liliane Hellman, illustrated by Chat Otis. PICTURE BOOK. Caitlyn Dlouhy (Simon & Schuster), 2020. $18. 9781534431171

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A little monkey who loves to cuddle waits all day until his mom and dad are free to get the cuddles he really wants. During the day he tries to be patient and even tries to cuddle other things: a puddle, stuffed animals, etc.

Lewis is a cute monkey and little readers who also like to cuddle will enjoy this simple story. There isn’t a lot of complexity to this story and that might make it a little boring for some readers, but there is charm in its simplicity.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lewis is a cuddlier. He will cuddle anything from bananas to his favorite book, but when everyone is too busy to cuddle, what is he to do?
Follow the adorable and hilarious story of a little monkey who only wants to cuddle and the measures he takes in search of just one more cuddle.

For more of my reviews and body paints of book covers visit my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/amy_forthel...

[Mama Bearian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lewis LOVES to cuddle, but his parents don’t have much time for cuddling now, with his new baby brother, Owen, taking up so much time. Lewis is determined to get cuddles, so he goes on the hunt for the perfect cuddles. This is a cute, funny book. I liked that Lewis didn’t seem jealous or upset about his parents needing to care for his brother. It sends a better message than some books with similar themes.

[Leah]

Do you have a cuddle monkey? This adorable book was read virtually for a cuddles and hot coco storytime. It is the perfect read with me book for parents and children.

Cuddle Monkey spends his days wanting to cuddle, and does not know the meaning of patience. Just like most little ones, so he tries to fill his day with cuddles but finds that some things just are not meant for cuddling. This book shows children that sometimes they need to wait, and that they can be big help.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ye olde first child isn't getting enough attention with the new baby around, specifically not enough cuddling. No jealousy in this one, which is nice. The boy tries cuddling stuffed animals and other objects with no luck. Some bonding with the baby. Then his parents are ultimately able to make time for him.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

CUDDLE MONKEY is a silly book about a little monkey who loves to cuddle but everyone is too busy. I love the ways he tries to solve his problem. Little listeners will laugh at his antics and his limited patience. This is a fun book to read aloud with delightfully silly pictures and wonderful sweetness throughout.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Cute! This is a sweet sibling story with a great attitude. Cuddle Monkey uses problem solving skills and shows some resilience (although that's not spelled out in the story) while still coming across as a kid.

[Raven Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

The monkey wants cuddles, but finds all the ways he cannot cuddle. Finally a special cuddle happens. The end. There is not a lot going on, but would be an interesting book for the child who is a cuddle monkey

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about a monkey who always wants cuddles, but baby brother is taking up too much of his parents’ time. Cuddling his baby brother is too squirmy of an experience for him, but Lewis learns that imperfect cuddles can be wonderful too. Storyline reminds me of “Noisy Nora” by Wells.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

“He even tried to cuddle with a puddle (just because it rhymed).” Thank goodness the adorable illustrations of the cuddle-obsessed monkey and his clan save this story from becoming mired in annoying contrivances.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting, but I was a little disappointed. Cuddle Monkey just wants to cuddle all the time - even attempting to cuddle adults and friends at school, which is just inappropriate.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lewis the monkey loves to cuddle. Cuddling is his favorite part of the day. Unfortunately Lewis’s parents are busy with his baby brother. He tries to find cuddles in different places and people, but ultimately his family gives the best cuddles.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little monkey finds his cuddle time in short supply with his parents paying attention to his new baby brother.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. This book doesn't overtly address sibling rivalry but does so in a subtle way that would make it a good book to recommend to families dealing with that issue.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lovvvve to cuddle. I love this book!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but I just wanted more. A similar book is Hug Machine and me and the storytime kids love that one!

[molliekay]

Poor parents are touched OUT.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. I love that Lewis’s Mom gave him the responsibility to teach his little brother how to cuddle. Though the cookie-giving might not be the best tactic.

[Paula Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooooo this boy wanted to be hugged all day long and basically he had to wait until bedtime. This book was depressing.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime: Monkeys

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A monkey wants to be cuddled constantly, but he has a younger brother who needs attention from his parents, too. This was okay. The story was okay, and the pictures were okay.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis loves to cuddle. He loves to cuddle everything, and everyone. He even cuddled a puddle. Lewis discovers that his baby brother Owen, takes time away from his cuddle time with mom and dad and that he has to be patient, and wait to receive cuddles from them.