Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
It is clear from the title that this book is about counting monkeys, and the title page explains that all one has to do is turn the page to do just that. So here we go! Wait. 1 King Cobra has scared off all of the monkeys. Turn the page and 2 mongooses (or mongeese maybe?) have scared off the cobra but still no monkeys. Keep turning pages and there are more animals that scare off the ones from the page before, but no monkeys at all. The pattern is set until the 8 lumberjacks stick around for multiple pages. And it will take something unusual to scare them off. But even then, where are the monkeys?
Barnett has created another surprising picture book that turns a normal counting book merrily on its head. He speaks directly to the reader, instructing them along the way on how to move the creatures off of the page, how to best turn the page, and explaining what just went wrong. His silly approach to a counting book will find universal approval.
Cornell’s illustrations have a wonderful humor about them as well. He takes Barnett’s vision and makes it colorful and bright. All of the creatures have personality, from the crocodiles in vests and top hats to the self-satisfied wolves who clear out the grandmothers. Each page has a twinkle to it that makes it fun to take a closer look at the pages.
Pure hilarity, this counting book is made to share out loud with a giggling group of preschoolers. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Reviewed from library copy.