Monday, October 22, 2012

Two Cheeky Monkeys - Mem Fox

Mem Fox, well loved Australian author of little-kiddie-books, has done it again with her latest tale for tots, Two Little Monkeys, a story of two monkeys and their escape from danger. 
The language is deceptively simple, but has a lovely rhyme to it (similar to the nursery rhyme Two Little Dickie Birds) employing a lot of playful repetition. The only new word for my two year old was 'leopard' and every time we read it she has another attempt at saying it. She's nearly there, although her first try was something like 'ekerg'. 
It's one of those stories you find yourself reading again, and again and again. So far we're read it seven times in one sitting and countless other times 
As with Fox's Ten Little Fingers and Time for Bed, this is an instant classic and destined to become beloved. 
Jill Bartons illustrations, to match the text, are also deceptively simple and charming. 

While Two Little Monkeys is delightful to read at home (I'll always associate it with my Poppet as she is now, all golden curls and mischievous grins) it's also the perfect book to read to a group, and as a story time can be matched with all sorts of lovely monkey songs such as Five Little Monkeys Playing in a Tree Along Came Mister Crocodile and Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
This one is - yet another - Mem Fox keeper, and my bet (and hope!) is that I'll be reading it to the grandkids and great grandkids. 

Two Little Monkeys - Written by Mem Fox - Illustrated by Jill Barton - Published by Beach Lane Books 2012

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