Monkey Brother

by Adam Auerbach

Christy Ottaviano at Henry Holt's Christy Ottaviano Books has acquired two picture books by Adam Auerbach. The first, Monkey Brother, is a picture book about a boy and his little brother, a monkey, and is slated for 2017. Erica Rand Silverman at Sterling Lord Literistic negotiated the deal for North American rights.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Humor, Childrens, Family, Kids, Fiction

40 pages, ebook

First published June 27, 2017

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isn't there a time when all little brothers are 'monkey brothers'? Fun book that looks at having a sibling that frustrates you (even though you love them).

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When your little brother is a monkey - really a monkey - it can be something of a problem, as the young narrator of this humorous but heartwarming picture-book makes plain. He can cause quite a mess, follow you everywhere you go, and annoy your dog with his antics. But he also can be rather sweet, upon occasion...

This second picture-book from author/artist Adam Auerbach, following upon his debut, Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School , examines a common childhood issue - how to deal with annoying younger siblings - in a new and entertaining way. The artwork is colorful and engaging, with plenty going on on each page to keep the young reader involved. Recommended to all young monkey lovers, as well as to anyone looking for fun new sibling books.

[Roseann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an enjoyable book. A boy describes the difficulties of having a monkey for a little brother. The illustrations add so much to the story. It's wonderful.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about siblings, but not a fan of how the younger brother "treats the dog". It's not that he treats him too badly, but I don't think that treating the dog bad is something that should be Ina picture book.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby brother is a monkey that makes older brother crazy. Then they are friends and baby sister (elephant) destroys everything. Cute story for siblings. Illustrations are pretty cute too.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable, funny, and charming, this book is one young readers will come back to again and again. Simple text elevates this as a beginning reader for the youngest of readers while more complex illustrations tells a funny story of mischief and siblings.
Reviewer #9

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of my younger brothers growing up. A very funny story where the older brother compares his younger brother to a monkey. I really enjoyed how the older brother admits he likes his brother towards the end. Would make a great read aloud for elementary children.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cute book. It has a good message as well as a very fun surprise at the end.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children will find this cute book about siblings entertaining. Few words and fun illustrations make this a good selection for story time.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featuring lively illustrations depicted with pen and ink, watercolor, and digital color, this book has an ending that I could see coming from miles away, but youngsters will still enjoy it. The narrator has a lot of challenges in his life, but all of them seem to come down to the fact that his brother is a monkey. Not only does he follow his older sibling everywhere, even in the bathroom, but he makes life miserable for the family dog and makes a mess of his bedroom. After describing the challenges of living with a brother who is a monkey, the narrator acknowledges that there are some good points to having him around and they are learning to get along, possibly because they have to contend with their baby sister, who presents her own problems. It's all silly fun but somehow relatable, and reminds readers that despite how annoying family members may be, they are family, and love us unconditionally just as we return the favor. This title might be helpful when a family is expanding in size with a new addition or new circumstances.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having younger siblings seems to be similar to managing wild animals in the zoo, or so I've been told, and now author Adam Auerbach confirms it with his story Monkey Brother. Narrated in first person by the oldest sibling in the family, readers are almost led to believe that this brother is actually a monkey! For most of our journey getting to know Monkey Brother consists of what he "always" does that is annoying and wild, but towards the end we take a turn towards a reality check for the narrator and the reader; always isn't really always is it? Reminding ourselves that we tend to focus on and generalize the things that drives us crazy with the word "always" when there are many instances in between that makes us treasure others. With a surprise spread at the end that will leave readers with a snicker, and if those readers happen to have younger siblings, a whole lot of sympathy.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Auerbach, Adam. Monkey Brother, PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt and Company, 2017. $17.99.

One little boy complains about his younger brother, who actually is a monkey. His monkey brother is always copying him, making messes, and teasing the dog. But he is fun sometimes. Now, his little sister is an even bigger nuisance… because she’s an elephant.

I feel like an opportunity to capitalize on a surprise ending about how little brothers can be just like monkeys, rather than they actually are monkeys, was lost in this book. The author attempted a surprise with the elephant sister, but it falls fairly flat.

PRE-K, EL (K-3)- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy has a little brother who is a monkey. The first half of the book laments on how annoying his little brother is, and then as the boy think about it, his monkey brother does has many good things too. It would be a good talking point book for two siblings who aren't getting along to realize that though they may have some qualities they don't appreciate, their sibling is someone that is special to them.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly the first time this type of story has been told but it is cute. The illustrations are funny and sweet. Good story to share with big brothers who don't always appreciate their younger siblings.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book about siblings who sometimes behave like animals but are sweet under the surface.

[Amy Chesman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ok book with a great ending!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having a monkey for a brother is awful ... some of the time.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun twist on the traditional big sibling learning to get along with their little sibling narrative. Love the ending.

[Heather Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

megan fall reading 2017, children's book, picture book, siblings, monkeys, animals, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade,

[Nicole Darrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for sibling appreciation.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT YOUR AMAZING ANIMAL SIBLINGS! Why is no one grateful anymore?! I wish MY sisters were monkeys or sloths or alpacas or whatever.

[Hadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the little brother. I can confirm this a fable based on lies. I am not a monkey.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Anyone who has had a monkey brother or a monkey son will love this book. And the illustrations are great.

[Viviane Elbee]

The premise of this book is a little boy has a younger brother who is literally a monkey. Although the younger brother is a monkey, he actually behaves a lot like regular younger brothers.

[Library To-Go]

06/25/25 - Play & Learn - JB
06/25/25 - Pediatrust - JB

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having a monkey for a brother is hard. 😂

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much of a story. A big brother mostly complains about his little brother, who is a monkey.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
A little boy complains that his little brother is truly a monkey. He swings around the house making messes and ruining the little boy’s day. His little brother is very annoying. He starts to notice though that maybe there are benefits to having a little monkey brother. What will he think about his new little sister though? This book is appropriate for younger children, pre-K to 1st grade.

Activity:
During the reading have students identify adjectives used to describe the monkey brother. Have students also brainstorm additional adjectives they could use to describe the monkey brother. Next, have the students pick a family member and describe that family member, making sure to use plenty of adjectives. Students can take this a step further and write a T-chart comparing the adjectives used to describe Monkey Brother to their family member.

Auerbach, A. (2017). Monkey brother. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

[Christine Turner]

A clever and surprising tale of sibling rivalry and unconditional love from an Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award winner. Little brothers can be a handful. They're wild and messy. They follow you everywhere and they love to copy everything you do. But what if your little brother was a monkey? Would he drag you into a special kind of monkey mischief? Find out in Monkey Brother , a clever and surprising tale of sibling rivalry and unconditional love from Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award winner, Adam Auerbach.

Notes
Adam Auerbach is the Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award; winning author of Edda:A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School . His illustrations have appeared on book covers and in numerous print publications, including The New York Times and School Library Journal . He lives in Brooklyn, NY.