Clarion—2007 Ages: 3-6
“Kids will love the slapstick plot and energetic, expressive characters, and surprising conclusion, and teachers will appreciate the seamless integration of math skills from counting to addition and subtraction.”
— School Library Journal
The Story:
The day before school starts, Mama takes her five little monkeys shopping for clothes. “Stay right here,” she says. “AND DON’T GO WANDERING OFF!”
But do those little monkeys listen? Of course not! Soon there are only three little monkeys … but wait … now there are seven …then three again …and then… oh, no! Fourteen little monkeys! How can that be? Will Mama ever have her five little monkeys together again?
Monkey Math:
There are a limited number of ways to add and subtract five little monkeys. I needed more little monkeys to mix things up! More siblings? Cousins? Could they go shopping with Mama…and meet their friends? With that idea, the story took off.
The Illustrations:
This is the first book I illustrated on the computer, using a Wacom Intuos tablet and Adobe Photoshop 7.
Why did I switch from real pens and brushes to a computer?
• It’s easier to make changes. If I think a monkey should be smaller, I can make her smaller without redrawing!
• I can move monkeys around.
• I can erase anything: pen, paint.
• I can change colors.
Computers are wonderful editing tools for writers AND illustrators!
Click on the blackboard for Monkey classroom ideas.
Read my dog, Emma’s, comic interview with the Monkeys!
Download a Five Little Monkeys Activity Kit!
