Peanut

by David Lucas

An anxious little monkey finds that making a friend goes a long way toward easing his fears in a reassuring story with big appeal for young readers.

Peanut, a monkey as small as a nut, has just come into the big, wide world. But the tiny monkey has one big he's afraid of everything. When the petals on his tree start to droop and fall, Peanut thinks it's the end of the world. When the wind begins to blow, he fears that his tree is falling down. And when the setting sun glows brightly, he is sure the sky is on fire. At first Peanut is afraid of Beetle too, but as the two become friends, Beetle assures him there's no need to be frightened — especially now that there are two of them to face the world together.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2008

About the author

David Lucas has written and illustrated several books for children and was named a Booktrust Best New Illustrator. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice family read

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story about a little monkey who experiences his first day in the tree and is very confused and worried about the different things that happen like rain and the sun setting. A good story to explore day and night with young children. I would read the book with FS and KS1 children. Children could think about the different characters thoughts about day and night and how monkey is reacting. The illustrations are nice and help to show why monkey thinks different things are happening.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Peanut here for just $7!

With stunning illustrations and a simple story, this book is a must. Peanut the Monkey is so easy to fall in love with, you and your child will definitely read this more than once.

Elisa, Book Grocer

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, no, I don't get it. I've always been a bit too literal and logical for stories like this, I guess. The art didn't wow me, personally, either.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this story, but thought it ended a little abruptly. I think it definitely could've finished a bit better with just a little more of his adventure. Great illustrations! Really fun with a creative premise.

[Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute art, funny-odd little monkey. Interesting assumptions about the world when nobody tells you better (nevermind how he knows some words and concepts but not others). Shows that you don't have to understand the world to experience it (or for it to do its things around you).

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations but really didn't like the story on this one. If this was a wordless picture book it would be a winner, but unfortunately the story really detracts from the wonderful illustrations.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A teeny monkey blooms in a flower and is frightened by everything in the world that it sees. The illustrations are alright, but the story doesn't make sense. If Peanut doesn't know what a sunset is, he would not know what fire is either so he could not describe the sunset as the sky burning.

[Wordsworth Books & Co. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable illustrations!

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cut the text and I would give it 5 stars.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations did not help the pointless story.

[Brandielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story with wonderful pictures of animals and insects, about a tiny monkey named Peanut- I must own this!

[Denise Kettering · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were really beautiful, but the story did not make that much sense.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet

[SARAH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations, but didn't really see the point of the story.

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and a little odd. But ultimately not that great.