Slow Down, Monkey!

by Jess French, Eefje Kuijl

It’s a spider monkey’s birthday and every animal in the rainforest is invited to her party.

But that means there’s some seriously speedy planning needed to make sure it’s a celebration to remember. Monkey rushes through the jungle to get the special cake, funky band and colourful decorations she needs, but nothing seems to be going right. That’s until she meets a super-chilled sloth, who teaches her how to slow down and really look at, listen to and experience the vivid world around her in a much more mindful manner.

The rhyming text, set to a jumping, jungle beat, is written by Jess French, TV presenter, vet and conservationist, and is brought to life with beautiful illustrations by picture book talent, Eefje Kuijl.

This colourful picture book also includes a charming info-spread on the animals featured and mindful tips for parents and children.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2020

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. I liked the well being message along with using endangered species as the characters of the story.

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ma nüüd ei saagi aru, kas raamat üritab lastele õpetada mindfulnessi või mediteerimist, aga igaljuhul tundub see kuidagi võõristav eriti kuna seda ei ole osatud panna teksti sisse, vaid lihtsalt harjutused loo lõppu. Kiiduväärt on, et tegelased on võetud ohustatud liikide seast tõmmates teemale tähelepanu. Sellega mu kiidusõnad lõppevad, sest lugu oli minu jaoks segane ja arusaamtu, no absoluutselt ei suutnud endasse haarata ega köita.

[cat. lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

We borrowed this book from our local library and it has been thoroughly enjoyed by my 4yr old son. Its a really nice story which involves a little monkey rushing around trying to make her birthday party perfect, but everything is going wrong. After taking advice from the slow and kindly sloth she realises that beauty is all army d her if strongly slows down to look. Beautiful illustration s and a wonderful unexpected mindfulness element.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delves into mindfulness and the rain forest animals planning a party and mentions many of the endangered animals and species in the rainforests. This book can be combined with the study of the rainforest ecosystem in classrooms in elementary school. But the mindfulness theme is important as well so listen to the sloth.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book for teaching mindfulness to young children who are a little on the hyper side. Also teaches about some of the characteristics of endangered species of the rain forest. Lots of colorful detailed artwork. Many things to search and find in the pictures. An overall winner!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! The illustrations by Eefje Kuijl are beautiful and the messages of mindfulness and slowing down by Jess French and sloth :) are much needed for my monkey mind! Gorgeous!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: monkeys, jungle animals, observation/slowing down, birthdays, friendship, stories that rhyme
Ages: K-2nd grade
Pub year: 2021

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for so many reasons. It’s so good for inferencing questions. It’s also good as a social story for self-regulation.