NonFiction #1 - Never Smile At A Monkey

Author: Steve Jenkins

Credit: Steve Jenkins

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. ISBN 978-0-618-96620-2

PLOT SUMMARY

Never Smile At A Monkey gives the reader a small amount of informative information on 18 unique, different dangerous animals and how the reader can protect themselves from danger. At the end of the book, Jenkins gives the reader more detailed information about each animal. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jenkins shares information about dangerous animals in this wonderful concept book created to give brief facts how to protect themselves if the reader were to come in contact with one of these animals. He shares accurate information about each animal and precedes to share additional information and facts at the back of his picture book. Organizationally, he adds in bright bold font the title of each animal and what not to do. I believe this helps grabs the readers attention with the word "NEVER".  The simplicity of the book adds to the overall appeal of the design. The illustrations are a collage of each animal, with a background of each page on simple white paper with the text. The text ranges from big and bold, to smaller font in shades of gray.  Steve Jenkins has a very creative style and  a unique ability for his characters in all of his books to come alive. Children love to hear about all the gory details in his books, this it makes it fun to learn. For example, "the spitting cobra can spit its venom more than eight feet and cause intense pain". Kids would love to hear about this and its true facts. His illustrations come alive. Look closely at the monkey on the front cover of Never Smile At A Monkey. The fur looks nice and soft, he looks like a sweet and innocent monkey. Turn over the book to the back and now the same monkey looks vicious with sharp pointy teeth. These are just a few examples of Jenkins amazing qualities. 

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* Junior Library Guild Fall Selection - 2009
* NDLA Flicker Tale Children's Book Award - 2011
* Horned toad Tales List - 2010-2011

*  "A visually stunning book illustrated with cut paper and torn collages...
This superlative illustrator has given children yet another work that educates and amazes".  - School Library Journal

*  "With his trademark cut-paper technique, Jenkins proves there may not be a texture that he can’t mimic on the page. The high-interest marriage of animals and danger, along with large, vibrant visuals, makes this a prime candidate for group sharing, and additional details and artwork at the end will flesh out some of the finer points for older children." - -Booklist

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

* Research the country (environment) the animals come from and share with the class.
* Jenkins creates amazing illustrations through paper collages. Have students create their own animal collages. Discuss how their animal protects itself, how it is dangerous like in the book.
*Virtual Field Trip - Microsoft Education through Skype to a zoo and see these amazing animals in real life!

Book Connections:
* Creature Features - ISBN 9789573278184 
* Actual Size - ISBN 9785044582385
* What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? - ISBN 9780618997138

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!