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32nd out of 61 books
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153 voters
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Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember
When it comes to wild animals, everyone knows that there are certain things you just don’t do. It's clearly a bad idea to tease a tiger, pull a python's tail, or bother a black widow spider. But do you know how dangerous it can be to pet a platypus, collect a cone shell, or touch a tang fish? Some creatures have developed unusual ways of protecting themselves or catching p...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
October 19th 2009
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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I'm a very new Steve Jenkins devotee - just having read two of his books for this first time yesterday and today - this one and Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. As is my custom when I discover a new author I search obsessively for everything I can find out about them. Luckily the internet makes stalking so much easier and Steve has his own website. Jenkins says that he has gotten the ideas for most of his book from the questions that his three children have asked him over...more
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I feel as though every review I leave for a Steve Jenkins book is just a copy of the whatever I read just before... but he is that consistent. This artist is brilliant at picking subjects that awe and intrigue young minds and stretch them to think in excited and curious ways. Whether is merely the illustrator or the collaborative writer and illustrator, his books grab our attention, feed our curiosity and launch conversation and further reading. Thanks to Jenkins, my not quite 4 year old is gett...more
Ladies and gentlemen do you know what your children desire? What they really want and so often are unable to attain? Practical advice. I don’t mean the kind of standard parlor fare they hear so often every day (“Don’t chew with your mouth openâ€, “Don’t poke the babyâ€, “Don’t attempt asbestos removal on your ownâ€, etc.). I'm talking about practical advice for surviving in the wild. Here’s an example. You’re in a boat, floating down the Nile, and you suddenly find yourself facing a hippo. W...more
I love Steve Jenkins' amazing paper collage work!
This is a great non-fiction picture book that includes interesting facts about animals that you might not know could harm you. Animals included aren't all your typical predators either. Here, showcased dangerous animals include the platypus (the only poisonous mammal), cone shells, hippos (which kill more people in Africa than any other animal!), jellyfish, stingrays, cane toad, puffer fish, bear cub (okay, this is one we would antic...more
This is a great non-fiction picture book that includes interesting facts about animals that you might not know could harm you. Animals included aren't all your typical predators either. Here, showcased dangerous animals include the platypus (the only poisonous mammal), cone shells, hippos (which kill more people in Africa than any other animal!), jellyfish, stingrays, cane toad, puffer fish, bear cub (okay, this is one we would antic...more
I'm actually waiting for this book to be delivered to my library from the MN-Link intra-library system and honestly, I can't wait. I seriously cannot wait. I am terrified that between now and when it arrives I will come across a platypus or cone shell or some other animal and do exactly the wrong thing and be killed within moments. I'm not sure how we all live our lives without this book.
Katie is doing this assignment in her class called Read-O. It's like Bingo but with books. T...more
Katie is doing this assignment in her class called Read-O. It's like Bingo but with books. T...more
My niece liked Never Smile at a Monkey more than my nephew did. She liked that it told you all kinds of facts about animals that pertained to how they protect themselves, and this *was* interesting and educational, even for me. I had no idea that platypuses have poisonous spines on their back legs!
Never Smile at a Monkey was a bit intense for my little nephew, though. Many of the paragraphs about the animals ended by implanting the idea of "serious injury, or even death to huma...more
Never Smile at a Monkey was a bit intense for my little nephew, though. Many of the paragraphs about the animals ended by implanting the idea of "serious injury, or even death to huma...more
Most people know that you should never pet a rattlesnake or tease a tiger, but did you know that you should also never confront a kangaroo or clutch a cane toad?! This fascinating book tells us all about different animals and creatures that are unexpectedly dangerous. Learn all about the weapons they use to survive and protect themselves from predators. Kids will be enthralled as they discover more about the animal kingdom in this dynamic picture book. Also included at the back is a small blurb ...more
Abigail
rated it
Recommends it for:
Young Animal Lovers / Steve Jenkins Fans
Recommended to Abigail by:
Chandra
Shelves:
childrens-non-fiction,
picture-books
An advice manual of a different kind, this fabulous picture-book from Steve Jenkins - the author/artist behind such innovative natural history titles as Actual Size and Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea - is both educational and informative, giving young readers a list of very important instructions. "Never pet a platypus... Never corner a cassowary... Never bother a blue-ringed octopus... (and of course!) Never smile at a monkey!
Accompanied by Jenkins' distin...more
Accompanied by Jenkins' distin...more
Did you know that hippos kill more people in Africa than any other wild animal? That is why you should never harass a hippopotamus! Did you know that the spitting cobra can spit its venom accurately for more than eight feet, and it aims for the eyes? That is why you should never stare at a spitting cobra!
Cool, huh? I loved learning these and other facts while reading this great book by Steve Jenkins. This is another book he has written for older children, but in this one he resolve...more
Cool, huh? I loved learning these and other facts while reading this great book by Steve Jenkins. This is another book he has written for older children, but in this one he resolve...more
Lisa Vegan
rated it
Recommends it for:
boys and girls who enjoy animals, nature, science, and more than a touch of the macabre
Recommended to Lisa by:
Chandra
I love Steve Jenkins; books!
This is a fun (and potentially scary) science/nature book for school aged kids.
There is a short introduction, then in one or two pages each it covers 18 animals with an illustration and a short paragraph about what not to do and why to do so would be dangerous, and then there’s a section at the end, also with illustrations, that gives somewhat more in depth information for each animal described in the earlier section of the book. At the ...more
This is a fun (and potentially scary) science/nature book for school aged kids.
There is a short introduction, then in one or two pages each it covers 18 animals with an illustration and a short paragraph about what not to do and why to do so would be dangerous, and then there’s a section at the end, also with illustrations, that gives somewhat more in depth information for each animal described in the earlier section of the book. At the ...more
Information - 2009 "Never pet a playtypus." In a picture book format, this book provides information on animals/creature you don't want to come in contact with, all starting with, "Never ..." The thing I like most about this text, is that it provides a couple of attention getting facts about each animal, and then in the back, goes into more detail about each one. I know my third graders would find this book appealing, and would anxiously await the opportunity to share these f...more
Haley
added it
Genre: Informational Book
Grade Level: 4th - 8th
Summary: "Never Smile at a Monkey" is a book that cleverly shows the dangers and hazards of animals from around the world. It presents factual information about the animals as well. Some of these animals include a monkey, a black bear, a rattlesnake, a kangaroo, and an octopus. I enjoyed this book because it is an intriguing way to teach students about the dangers of certain animals.
Grade Level: 4th - 8th
Summary: "Never Smile at a Monkey" is a book that cleverly shows the dangers and hazards of animals from around the world. It presents factual information about the animals as well. Some of these animals include a monkey, a black bear, a rattlesnake, a kangaroo, and an octopus. I enjoyed this book because it is an intriguing way to teach students about the dangers of certain animals.
Christiane
rated it
More awesome animal facts and art from Steve Jenkins. I learned a ton about dangerous creatures: a cone shell defends itself with poisoned barbs that can be launched like harpoons! Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other wild animal! The electric caterpillar is covered with fine, poison-filled spines! The blue-ringed octopus is one of world's most poisonous animals! Adding this one to my list of summer reading books.
your neighborhood librarian
rated it
Funny, alarming, great to look at - everything you expect from Steve Jenkins. My kids sat and made a list of Places Not to Go based on the habitats of the bad-tempered, venomous, sharp-featured, combative, paranoid, and/or fiercely territorial beasts of this book. Why the hell is there a 2-inch-long caterpillar that can KILL a human? I'm asking! Where's the evolutionary advantage in that?
Jess Brown
rated it
Hand this book to any kid who has an interest in poisonous and deadly animals (sure there are a few!). The book runs through several different animals, most of which you probably wouldn't think could or would ever hurt you (a platypus, for example). Great book of factoids, which should appeal to the dangerous animal lover. Best suited for elementary to older elementary kids.
A wonderful picture book for kids with glorious cut paper images and very informative text! Reminds me of playing "Dangerous Creatures" on the computer for hours on end as a child at my babysitter's house. Kids of a similar curiousity as mine for the frightening wonders of nature will adore it.
This is a short nonfiction book, great for elementary school, that reveals some very dangerous animals. Did you know there is a species of caterpillar that can kill you? A fun and informative read that will have a lot of kids asking for more about these unsuspecting dangerous creatures.
I think kids would love this book about wild animals' natual defenses and what NOT to do if you see one. The illustrations are fantastic, and Jenkins manages to make a serious and dangerous topic amusing. In the back there is more information about each animal featured.
Have you or your children ever wondered about all the ways you could be killed or maimed by an animal? If so, this is the book for you! It contains useful advice about how NOT to approach certain animals if you value your own well-being, alongside beautiful illlustrations.
This book will scare the ish out of kids-and that's a good thing! Great pictures and simple, direct text let's kids know the real on not taking animals for a joke! The overall message is "have a healthy respect (and fear) of animals or you will get seriously hurt or killed".
Megan
rated it
No mincing words here; these animals are deadly and Steve Jenkins tells you exactly how they could kill you. Luckily, it's unlikely any of us will ever run into these animals (cassowary, African buffalo, blue-ringed ocotpus, etc.) in our everyday life!
Marisa
rated it
Everyone knows not to mess with a tiger or a black widow spider. But did you know that a platypus is poisonous and a cone shell can kill you? This book is full of freaky facts about seemingly harmless animals that you really don’t want to mess with!
Very cool book - not surprising, as it's Steve Jenkins. A cautionary tale with Jenkins' excellent as usual illustrations. So, no matter how tempting it is, don't caress an electric caterpillar or jostle a jellyfish; pain and even death may result.
Discover how dangerous an animal can be when it feels threatened or trapped.
Great illustrations and interesting facts about the animals and why they are dangerous but in combination to much text for story time. Maybe possible if shortened
Great illustrations and interesting facts about the animals and why they are dangerous but in combination to much text for story time. Maybe possible if shortened
not really a storytime title...perhaps this book is better read at few pages at a time. otherwise, the theme of "this or that animal will maim or kill you if you do..." comes across just a bit too strong. !!! love the illustrations.
Actually this is a few interesting and helpful children's book for all ages. Give you 17 harmful animals and what not to do when around them! Smiling at a monkey will mean you are showing aggression and they just might attack!
NEVER corner a cassowary.
The cassowary is a flightless bird that stands as tall as a man. Though it is shy and avoids people, a surprised or cornered cassowary can deliver a lethal kick with its sharp claws.
The cassowary is a flightless bird that stands as tall as a man. Though it is shy and avoids people, a surprised or cornered cassowary can deliver a lethal kick with its sharp claws.
Typically amazing illustrations from Jenkins paired with sure to be popular information about dangerous animals that don’t typically get the press of traditional “man killers” like lions and cobras.
Vandy
added it
grade 2 and up. different animals and how they react to body language. not all human body clues are taken well by animals. for eg: a smaile is a sign of aggression to a monkey. Hence never smile at a monkey!
Read this right before I left for Australia and was freaking out over all the evil, hostile Australian creatures featured in there while hoping I wouldn't encounter any of them up close.
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