Cheeky Monkey
From the team who created the award-winning Good Night, Me comes this captivating picture book. Emma Quay’s delightful and warm illustrations of a family moving through their day bring to life all the funny and silly names we call our children: cheeky monkey, lucky duck, sweet pea, silly billy and more.
Simply delightful.
How Cheeky Monkey Came to be…
Cheeky Monkey came from one end or other of the kitchen bench.
‘My wife Jac and I were laughing about all the names people call their kids,’ Andrew says ‘the way some are cute and some are cuddly and some are plain ridiculous. Then Jac suggested it’d be a good idea for a book, because we could put all the names we use for our own kids, and the names our friends use for theirs, into one collection.
‘SIMPLE-but then, the pain… the narrative… the logic… And how would the pictures work? What should they look like? Would they be a girl or a boy? And would that be Mum or Dad with them- or both? And it went from being pretty simple to exhausting, especially for the illustrator, Emma. Having said that, the book is gorgeous, we’re all really happy with it and we’ve slipped in our favourite names as well!’
My son loved this book and we must of read it every night for a week. Monkey Moo and Bubbakanosh are what we call our son.
Great read
xxxx
What other people have said about Cheeky Monkey
Do you call your children funny, endearing names? I certainly do. I think it’s because there’s something intimate and warm about using special names that no one else does. It’s like a secret code of love between parent and child. Andrew Daddo has a special talent for spotting the things that most parents do, and turning it into something that parents and children can relate to. In the case of his latest book Cheeky Monkey that thing is way we use pet names. Using a variety of scenarios, Daddy presents parents and children interacting on wake up, at play, changing nappies, getting dressed, showering, brushing hair, feeding, and cuddling. Emma Quay’s illustrations in pencil and chalk pastel on a brown paper background work really well to convey the warmth and character of the relationships being depicted. The whole effect is both soft, and accessible – any family; a standard day; and tons of love. The large, hardcover format, and nice matt finished image make this an attractive and endearing book – great for gift giving. It’s a great book to read to your child before bed as you can incorporate your own funny names (“sweetpea”; “lulu”; “booboo” – I’m not giving away anymore of mine!) and end with your own cuddles, helping to invoke sweet dreams of care. Although it’s a little expensive (hopefully it will be released in softcover at a more reasonable price), Daddo and Quay’s latest book is a beauty, which children will enjoy listening to when very young, and reading as they get a little older. The text is simple and recognisable, and there’s a nice progression to it. The images are innovative and natural all at the same time. This is a book you’ll read and treasure for many years. About the reviewer: Magdalena Ball is the author of Sleep Before Evening, The Art of Assessment, and Quark Soup.
Names of babies have been in the news lately as we learn that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have named their daughter Sunday Rose (or ‘Sunday Roast’ as one commentator quipped, particularly apt when one remembers that ad for lamb roast of Kidman’s early career). But there are some names that we all use, like sleepy head and funny bunny, that are timeless. In this deceptively simple book by the team who gave us Good Night, Me we follow the early morning routine of a family in the most delightful way, in a story that would have currency in any country in the world.
The power of this story is the combination of the text and the warm snuggly pictures and it would have to be a bedtime read-aloud favourite. And if you were reading it you could slip in your own loving names so it becomes so personalised. Definitely one for me to share with my little daff-a-down-dilly when I babysit tomorrow night!!!
One of the best.
Reviewed by
Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
COOMA NSW 2630
AUSTRALIA
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