Good Night, Monkey Boy

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Who’s that eating a banana? Swinging from the shower curtain? Making faces in the mirror? Why, it looks like a monkey!

But not to Mommy. Mommy knows it’s her own monkey boy, and even monkey boys need their sleep. But first, they need to clean up their room and take a bath. Then she’ll read a story. “Good night, Monkey Boy . . . and no more bananas!”

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had been a long time since I read the twins Good Night Monkey Boy, but they asked me to read it this afternoon, and it was a fantastic blast from our past. We had the cable guy over hooking us up, and I was reading books to keep everyone quiet and corralled.

It is a quintessential boy book. Monkey Boy sneaks bananas into bed, he makes a mess with toothpaste, he hangs from the shower bar, but he is one little cutie. We called our boy a monkey before we found this book, but once we found it he became the little Monkey Boy in Krosoczka's pages.

The art is magnificent too.

[Charly Carbray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a little boy who just didn't want to go to sleep! Nicknamed "Monkey Boy," he really does do some wild things! Midnight munching on bananas, swinging from the shower curtain, and wreaking utter havvock on his sleepy house hold, monkey boy is a really fun book!

This is another really great addition to any library, as the words are easy to read, and the pictures are bright and inviting. We used to read it as a bedtime story growing up, but like I said, sometimes you just need to read a fun picture book in the middle of the day for a little break.

With this book, we could work on the sequence of events and build a story board about what happens first. This is a pretty low level book, so lessons should be aimed at first grade for the most part.

[Kylie Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did a really great job of portraying that the child was rowdy by illustrating him as a monkey. It shows that children act a little wild before going to bed, and the full bleed illustrations made it seem like you were in the story with him. It was unique that the only words in the book were from the mother telling the child what to do and what not to do.

[Virginia Hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is short and funny for kids. I enjoyed the illustrations and the story reminds me of my own children. I call my kids little monkeys and they act a lot like Monkey boy. This book would be good for younger children to be read at night before bed and also for k-2nd graders learning how to read.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cardboard book and I feel like I don't see those very often. It was very simple and definitely for very beginning readers. The illustrations are very simple and not very exiting to look at.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly and I read this 5 or 6 times last night. Better than Quick, Quack Quick! Not as lyrical as 5 Little Monkeys.

[John]

Exactly like the “No, David!” books.

[Thaz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry dude this book was quite pointless.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet bedtime story that speaks of family love. Monkey Boy is a charmer in spite of his monkey-like behavior. Any child who has been a little too wild during the day, will appreciate that Monkey Boy still gets plenty of loving and fun. Young children will be sure to enjoy his sly banana smuggling. His facial expressions are also adorable. It would be fun to mimic them while reading.

Original review http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/05...

[Kelly]

Clear that Krosoczka has refined his style and writing over time since this beginning picture book and others. I like the closeups of the faces but not the lack of talking/perspective from the boy's POV (point of view).

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

kinda cute, but something makes it fall short. :(

[May · Rating 2 out of 5]

maylay.ww@gmail.com

[Kristi Biltoft · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter loves this book. She wants you to read it over and over again. The illustrations are fun and almost jump out of the pages at you. The story is one of discipline and love!

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this with my kiddo, was concerned he might get some ideas from it though... Very cute bedtime story.

[Dawn Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute bed-time story. Reminds me of my son whom we called monkey when he was younger.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "monkey child" loved it.

[pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey fun!

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neither group of kids were even the least bit interested in this book.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loved the facial expressions of monkey boy, who like most boys wasn't exactly ready for bed. Cute book for bedtime!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute quick read. MY son was amused especially since we call him our little monkey.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read with nice art. Very appealing for all those little ones with the little monkey or monkey boy nickname.